Talking Points
These talking points are designed to help instructors become more familiar and comfortable with Ally's Alternative Formats and the benefits they can provide to students. Use them as a starting point for class discussions, course announcements, or informal reminders throughout the semester to help students discover flexible ways to access and engage with course materials. The talking points are organized by theme, making it easy to find relevant messages for different teaching contexts, student needs, and points in the semester.
Ally at a Glance: Ally is a tool integrated into <INSERT LMS NAME> that gives students access to alternative formats of digital course content, including audio, HTML, ePub, translated versions, and more. Available to all students, these formats support different learning preferences, study habits, and accessibility needs. To access them, simply select the Alternative Formats icon next to eligible course materials.
First Week of the Semester: Before we get started, I want to point out a tool available in <INSERT LMS NAME> called Ally. It allows you to access many digital course materials in alternative formats, such as audio, ePub, translated versions, and more. These options are available to everyone in the course, so feel free to explore them and find what works best for you.
Student Autonomy and Choice: One thing I appreciate about Ally is that it puts students in control of how they access course materials. Alternative Formats are available to everyone, so students can explore different options, experiment with what works best, and adapt their approach as their needs change throughout the semester. There's no need to request access, seek approval, or disclose personal information in order to use them.
Designed for Accessibility, Beneficial for Everyone: While Alternative Formats were designed to support accessibility, their benefits extend far beyond a single group of students. Whether a student wants to listen to course materials, read on a mobile device, translate content, or customize their reading experience, Ally provides flexible options that can support a wide range of learning preferences and situations.
Adjusting your Study Habits: As the semester progresses, it's worth taking a moment to think about whether your current study approach is working for you. If you're having trouble keeping up with readings, staying focused, or finding time to study, consider exploring Ally's Alternative Formats. Sometimes a small change, like listening to content as audio, using reading support tools, or adapting materials to better fit your needs and study habits, can make a meaningful difference.