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Iowa e-Learning Central

Accessibility and Usability for Families

Considerations for Families 

This resource is available to help parents and families support their students in using Iowa e-Learning Central (ILC) courses. This support is focused on considerations that will allow greater accessibility and use.

Online classes should include technology that helps your student be successful. Courses offered through ILC are designed to increase accessibility for all students. This guide is not for individual student accommodations or modifications, but general tips for getting the most out of class. This information will not replace individual accommodations or modifications students might need and be entitled to as part of a student’s individual education plan. Communicate with your child’s school team for specific actions. 

As a parent or family member, these are questions you may (and should, if warranted) ask your student’s teacher:

  • Are videos closed captioned? Can we have audio transcripts sent?
  • Can we increase the font size or change the font type of course materials? 
  • What are the different ways your student can submit work (e.g., text files, audio files)? 
  • Whom do we contact with questions? What is the best way to reach them? 
  • Is there a way to get hard copies of materials? Can you send the materials that are also being shared on the screen?
  • If we do not have the internet or what we do have is unreliable, what do we do? 
  • Are online tools needed when working with equations in math/science material?
  • Will my student’s assistive technology devices (e.g., screen reader, speech to text) work well within the course content? 

In general, if things are not working as they should, it’s okay to reach out to your student’s teacher. The teacher will be able to refer you to tech support or provide help directly. Problem-solving steps for parents and families:

  • Know the contact information for the teacher and what to expect in terms of ongoing communication.
  • Look for a “Help” section in any programs your student is using; some have a search bar. Here is an access and technology document for a number of programs that might be used locally.
  • Check with your student to see if they have any written directions about how to get into or around in the systems they are using.
  • Ask for a quick video call with the teacher or tech support to show you things right on the screen.
  • Know what student information system (Powerschool, Infinite Campus, or JMC) your school uses, because you might need to track assignments or grades.
  • Reach out to your student’s teacher if they get behind or miss a class. This is helpful to the teacher to know if the work is taking too long and helpful to know how to make up the content from the class.

Parent/Family Help Pages

If helpful, below are the Parent/Family Help pages from frequently used Student Information Systems (SIS):

Online Tools  

Below are specific tools students may find in an ILC course. Teachers may use additional tools available and consistent with district of school practices. Course developers and teachers were encouraged to develop content as accessible as possible. Local teachers may, though, depending on local practices and process use any online tools to deliver courses to teach the course. They are grouped around the following areas:

  • General Purpose Tools, Resources, and Support
  • Video: Creating and Recording Tools, Resources, and Support
  • Audio: Recording and Publishing Tools, Resources, and Support
  • Quiz Creation, Games, and Informal Assessment Tools, Resources, and Support
  • Creating Interactive Presentations Tools, Resources, and Support
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Learning Management Systems (LMS)  

General Purpose Tools, Resources, and Support

Video: Creating and Recording Tools, Resources, and Support

Audio: Recording and Publishing Tools, Resources, and Support

  • Synth: Allows the recording of audio and for students (or others to listen to). Used to provide directions, share learning targets, and provide feedback. 
  • Anchor: An all-in-one platform where one can create and distribute a podcast from any device.

Quiz Creation, Games, and Informal Assessment Tools, Resources, and Support

Creating Interactive Presentations Tools, Resources, and Support

Computer Science

  • Scratch: Allows students to program (i.e., code) games, interactive stories, and animations.

Mathematics

Learning Management Systems (LMS)  

Learning management systems are typically online places that teachers, families, and students log into in order to view coursework, turn in coursework, and participate in classes. Information contained below is current as of March 9, 2021.

Google Classroom

  • No specific statement for Google Classroom; indicates which Google products and extensions support accessibility.
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Accessible for students who are blind, visually impaired only if materials uploaded are, in themselves, accessible.
     

Moodle

Canvas 

Seesaw

Blackboard 

Chalk and Wire 

  • Statement only available for parent company.  Accessibility Statement
  • Minimal website information: eportfolio focused and possibly post high school oriented.

Schoology