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Quick Links: | Why This Matters | What You Can Do | Instructions |
Lists are a simple yet powerful tool for presenting information in an organized and accessible way. However, manually created lists (e.g., using dashes or numbers) may not be accessible to students who use screen readers or other assistive technologies. By using the built-in list function in the Rich Content Editor, instructors can create structured and visually clear lists that benefit all students, especially those with disabilities that affect visual or cognitive processing.
Why This Matters
Manually created lists can create barriers for students relying on assistive technologies because the list structure is not programmatically defined.
- Screen readers may not recognize manually created lists as lists, making navigation confusing.
- Students with cognitive disabilities may find inconsistently formatted lists harder to process.
- Manually creating lists can lead to inconsistent spacing and alignment, which can reduce readability.
What You Can Do
Using the list function in the Rich Content Editor ensures that lists are properly structured and accessible.
- Lists are programmatically defined, allowing screen readers to identify and navigate them easily.
- Hierarchical lists, such as nested lists, can clearly communicate relationships between items.
- All students benefit from the improved readability and organization of properly formatted lists.
Instructions
To create a properly formatted list, do the following:
- From the Rich Content Editor in Canvas, place your cursor where you want to create the list.
- Select the Bulleted List button to create a bulleted list or the Numbered List button to create a numbered list.
- Enter the text for each list item. Press Enter to move to the next item in the list.
- To create a nested list, press the Tab key to indent a list item under the previous one. To un-indent a list, press Shift+Tab
- Ensure that each item is concise and clearly communicates its purpose.
By following these steps, you ensure your lists are accessible and enhance understanding for all students.