
Left and right might not be understood as forward and back when not all languages are read from left to right.

Using green for “go” and “red” for stop might not be relevant to a child in rural Africa who doesn’t see many traffic lights. Relying on color to communicate is problematic not only for the colorblind, but for users in different cultures. If controls can’t be explained with labels, instructions can’t be written-not even tooltips are of any use. If learners can’t read, text is removed from the designer’s toolbox.

Design and evaluation aren’t so easy in the context of such a demanding brief. Trying out one of their modules is a great way to shake off unquestioned assumptions about users and their needs. The lessons can be used in a health clinic waiting room in Kolkata, India, a school in Cambodia, or on a bus moving through rural China. The company’s solution is 20-minute lessons on CD-ROM that make important points about critical issues, like how disease is transmitted, in very simple terms. Unlike the average eLearning audience in companies or higher ed, where the biggest challenges often cited are engagement or test scores, Thare Machi Education designs learning experiences on topics like human trafficking and cholera for users who are culturally and linguistically diverse, extremely poor, mostly illiterate, and totally unfamiliar with technology. Theory in Action: Thare Machi saves lives with eLearning If you need some inspiration, see the Thare Machi sidebar. The biggest reason to ensure that your designs comply with accessibility guidelines is so you can be sure to reach all your learners.Ĭheck out the WAI-ARIA guidelines for detailed and definitive advice on making widgets, navigation, and behaviors accessible. Native speakers of all languages and learners of all ages are accessing online learning from every country on the planet. Beautiful virtual worlds designed for classroom use may fail to run on classroom computers. Programs like Flash aren’t available on all devices and may be blocked by corporate firewalls.
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For example, kids and teens typically use secondhand equipment-special plug-ins and heavy download times can be frustrating. While it might not be immediately obvious, a well-designed, accessible learning experience helps everyone down the road.

Most interface designers are well versed in the World Wide Web Consortium’s guidelines for web accessibility and in the various country-specific requirements, but abiding by these regulations is critical when it comes to education. Interface Design for Learning: Design Strategies for Learning Experiences
