Microteach: Alt-Text
I chose to deliver my microteach on the topic of writing alternative text. We give images on web base platforms alternative text primarily to allow screen readers to describe that image. Users of screen reading software are usually visually impaired. By describing the image, we can help them to understand the meaning and why it is being used. I chose this topic because one key element of my role is to champion digital accessibility and the creation of an inclusive digital learning environment. I felt that the microteach would be a good opportunity for me to explore this topic in an unusual way.
My aims for the session were to introduce the key concept of writing alternative text. Then practice observing/describing an object. The session was broken down into phases. The first was an introduction where we discussed the concept of alternative text and why we use it. The second activity was to work in pairs. Each person was given a postcard, and they took turns to describe it to their partner. The partners were not meant to see the image on the post card. We concluded this exercise with a brief discussion about what it was like to describe the image and how it felt to be on the receiving end of the description. Following this, I asked the participants to read a brief statement about the context of how the image was being used in an article or on a website. Then we discussed how the context changed the way they described the image. Finally, I gave the participants a worksheet. The exercise was to write a description of the postcard. The worksheet included specific guidelines on how to write alternative text. I also included examples of good, okay and bad alternative text and the reasons behind that.
The activities described above were design specifically to meet the following learning outcomes for the session:
- To develop understanding of the concept of alternative text including the constraints.
- To practice observational skills.
- To practice communicating observations within a specific set of guidelines.
I spent a lot of time considering the object the participants would describe. In the end I opted for an assortment of postcards. The reason for this was that it allowed me to set-up the activity so that the partners didn’t see what was being described. Therefore, they had to rely on the description to understand that image. It was an attempt at promoting empathy, or at least foster an understanding of what it is like to rely on these descriptions. For me, this is an important part of persuading people to adopt this practice, and trying to get general buy-in.
The feedback I received was generally very positive. There were two points I would like to address here:
The first point relates to how it is possible to achieve this consistently across the organisation. This makes me think about why we deliver this type of session in the context of my role. In my mind, to arrive at a point where there is consistency and parity in how we implement this, will take us a long time as an organisation. To start on this road, we would need most staff to undertake training sessions like this. This would allow us to reach a shared understanding of what it is we are trying to achieve. Alongside training, I think then we would need to publish an institutional style guide and policy, rather than relying on general recommendations. Hopefully, eventually, then we could arrive at some sort of critical mass where this was accepted as part of our daily practice when creating content or documents.
The second point was from my tutor. It was about letting the group discussions unfold naturally. Rather than checking in and trying to steer the conversation. I would totally except this. Part of the problem here was that I was trying to stay on time. I really wanted to get to the worksheet exercise. I was probably trying to squeeze too much in. I think if this session was replicated, it should be done with more time. This would make more space for the discussions.
Thinking about the session myself. I wondered how useful it was to split off the describing part from other important elements of this topic. Such as how you go about adding alternative text to images. There was also not enough time to examine why we use images. I think being able to include these elements into a session would give the participant a much rounder understanding of the whole of the topic.
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