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Re: Links open in new tab or window in LMS

for

From: Colleen Gratzer, Gratzer Graphics LLC
Date: Oct 5, 2018 5:29PM

In Heydon Pickering's book Inclusive Design Patterns, he suggests (for
usability and accessibility) that you warn users of opening links in new
tabs or windows by using something similar to the following in CSS:

[href^="https"]:not([href*="URL_goes_here"])::after {

display: inline-block;
height: 1em;
width: 1em;
background-image: url(link_to_an _image_here_like_an_arrow_out_of_a box);
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center;
background-size: 75% auto;
content: '(external link, opens in new window)';
overflow: hidden;
white-space: nowrap;
text-indent: 1em;
}

Note: this isn't specific to an LMS, but websites in general. It would
automatically insert the image you designate after any external links
(in this case).

From what I understand, this method works for most screen readers.


Colleen Gratzer
Creative Director :: Visual Brand Expert :: Accessibility Specialist
Gratzer Graphics LLC
https://gratzergraphics.com

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On 10/5/18 9:33 AM, Krista Greear wrote:
> Looking for best practices about how to communicate links that open in new
> tab or window within the LMS environment. I read the info on WebAIM
> Hypertext <https://webaim.org/techniques/hypertext/> page but still have
> some questions.
>
> What is the best way to let the students know that links open in a new tab
> or window?
>
> - Should this information be communicated in the syllabus or LMS
> instructions?
> - Should there be a blanket statement at the beginning of each module?
> - Should there be (link opens in new window) directly inline after each
> link?
> - If there is a link in the middle of the sentence, does that change
> what we should do?
> - If there is a need to open some links in a new tab vs a new window, it
> is okay to mix the two? Or should it always be consistent?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Krista
>