What are the best practices for making SCORM content more accessible?

I stress the importance of adhering to WCAG standards to elevate the quality, compatibility, and interoperability of your SCORM content. Another crucial aspect is providing alternative formats to cater to diverse learner needs. This involves offering transcripts for audio and video, captions and subtitles for multimedia, text-to-speech and speech-to-text features, and alternative input methods for interactive content. By embracing multiple accessibility options, you not only broaden the reach of your SCORM content but also enhance its overall effectiveness.

Best Practice: Follow established web accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), when designing SCORM content. This ensures your content is accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities. Example: When creating a SCORM package for an online course, integrate accessible navigation controls and ensure all images have descriptive alt text. This approach makes the content navigable by screen readers used by visually impaired learners, aligning with WCAG principles.

Ya no solo a la hora de trabajar con SCORM, sino con cualquier otro contenido audiovisual, se hace necesario el aportar elementos que faciliten la accesibilidad a todas las personas. Si añades una imagen, agrega siempre el texto alternativo con la descripción de la misma. Si incluyes un vídeo, añade los subtítulos (se generan de manera automática con herramientas como Stream o YouTube). Son tareas que no llevan más de unos minutos y que facilitarán el acceso al contenido de manera universal. Para mí, un elemento fundamental es el de añadir los subtítulos a los vídeos para así poder verlos sin necesidad de, por ejemplo, llevar auriculares.

Best Practice: Offer content in multiple formats to accommodate different learning preferences and needs. This includes text, audio, video, and interactive elements, each with accessible options. Example: For a SCORM module on environmental science, alongside the main video lecture, provide a transcript, an audio version of the content, and interactive quizzes with both visual and auditory cues. This ensures learners with different needs and preferences can engage with the material effectively.

Los contenidos tienen que ser entendibles por todo el mundo. Usar frases cortas, evitar el uso del pasivo, organizar el contenido con encabezados, añadir videotutoriales, imágenes o gifs que describan las acciones, harán que los contenidos del SCORM sean mucho más accesibles.

Best Practice: Write content using simple, clear language to make it understandable for learners of all levels, including those for whom English might be a second language or who have cognitive disabilities. Example: In a SCORM-based training module for workplace safety, avoid jargon and complex sentences. Instead, use straightforward language and support text with icons or images to clarify concepts, making the content more digestible and retaining its educational value.

To check scores for SCORM content, you'll need to access the specific LMS where the content is deployed. The LMS should have a reporting or tracking feature that provides information on user progress, scores, and completion status for SCORM modules.

SCORM Cloud es una excelente herramienta para rastrear el seguimiento del SCORM. Además, siempre es necesario comprobar el SCORM en el LMS donde vaya a ser subido para ver que tanto el seguimiento como la visualización del paquete funciona correctamente.

Best Practice: Regularly test your SCORM content with diverse groups of users, including people with disabilities, to identify and address accessibility barriers. Example: Before finalizing a SCORM package on digital literacy, conduct user testing sessions with individuals who have visual, auditory, and motor impairments. Use their feedback to make adjustments, such as improving keyboard navigation and ensuring all videos have captions, making the content more inclusive.

Keep Learning and Improving Best Practice: Continuously educate yourself and your team on the latest accessibility standards and tools. Implement feedback and new learning into your content development process to enhance accessibility over time. Example: Subscribe to accessibility forums and attend workshops on inclusive design. Apply insights gained to refine existing SCORM modules and inform the development of new content, ensuring your educational materials remain at the forefront of accessibility standards.

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time task. Stay updated with technology advancements and legal requirements related to educational content accessibility. Engage with your learner community to understand their needs better and adapt your content accordingly. For instance, explore emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) for providing immersive, accessible learning experiences, ensuring your SCORM content remains relevant and accessible to all learners.