Demonstration of Ally's Alternative Formats
As the individuals who communicate most directly with students throughout a course, instructors are uniquely positioned to promote Ally's Alternative Formats.
A brief recorded demonstration can help students understand the available options and encourage use of tools that support different learning preferences and needs. Even if you plan to provide a live demonstration in a face-to-face course, sharing a recorded version allows students to revisit the information whenever they need it during the semester.
Preparing for the recording
Before creating your demonstration:
Use a recording tool available at your institution, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet.
Log into your course in your LMS before recording.
Enter into student preview mode to ensure you are demonstrating the student experience.
Include captions for your video. If the video tool you have access to provides automatic captions, be sure to check them for accuracy as there may be errors.
Suggested demonstration components
The checklist below includes suggested components to include in your recorded demonstration.
Show students the Ally icon: Locate the Alternative Formats icon next to digital course materials in your LMS.
Demonstrate the process: Select the icon, select an alternative format (such as audio, HTML, or translated text), and download the file.
Highlight key benefits: Explain how formats such as audio files for on-the-go learning, OCR’d PDFs for screen readers, and BeeLine Reader for enhanced focus can help all students, not just those with vision impairments. If you are familiar with multiple formats, consider demonstrating several and discussing their primary use cases. If not, focus on the formats you know best and their benefits.
Encourage exploration: remind students that the alternative formats are available to all students and do not require permission, official accommodations, or a documented diagnosis to use.
Sharing the recording
After your recording is completed, post it in your course. Inform students that it is there by way of announcement. If you created a content folder/module that houses all Ally and accessibility-related resources, this would be the perfect place to include the demonstration recording.