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Thread: Cognitive overload issues

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Number of posts in this thread: 5 (In chronological order)

From: Laurie Kamrowski
Date: Thu, Oct 24 2019 7:58AM
Subject: Cognitive overload issues
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Hello all,

I am working in Moodle for my school, and I know that cognitive overload
can be a real barrier for a lot of learners. I am trying to ensure that all
shells and classes are predictable for our students. I know that based upon
Guideline 3.2: predictable it is recommended that the information is
presented in a uniform manner, but does anyone know if there is a
recommended format? I want to make sure that I'm as effective as possible
in presenting the information.

https://www.w3.org/WAI/cognitive/

Thank you for your time,

Laurie Kamrowski
She/Her/Hers
Accessibility Specialist
Mid Michigan College

From: Laurie Kamrowski
Date: Thu, Oct 24 2019 8:09AM
Subject: Re: Cognitive overload issues
← Previous message | Next message →

I should clarify that I mean in the context of:


- File name nomenclature and references to these files (Should the link
in the moodle shell and the file name match?)
- Information positions within a document
- Powerpoint: Should there be a standard layout/theme throughout the
entire class?


Laurie Kamrowski
She/Her/Hers
Accessibility Specialist
Mid Michigan College



On Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 9:58 AM Laurie Kamrowski < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I am working in Moodle for my school, and I know that cognitive overload
> can be a real barrier for a lot of learners. I am trying to ensure that all
> shells and classes are predictable for our students. I know that based upon
> Guideline 3.2: predictable it is recommended that the information is
> presented in a uniform manner, but does anyone know if there is a
> recommended format? I want to make sure that I'm as effective as possible
> in presenting the information.
>
> https://www.w3.org/WAI/cognitive/
>
> Thank you for your time,
>
> Laurie Kamrowski
> She/Her/Hers
> Accessibility Specialist
> Mid Michigan College
>
>

From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Thu, Oct 24 2019 11:08AM
Subject: Re: Cognitive overload issues
← Previous message | Next message →

Consistency and simplicity are your best bets.
* Always explain your abbreviations the first time they are used
* Keep language simple, avoid unnecessary complications
* Warn users (with an icon + screen reader text) if links point to
documents or videos or if links open in a new window or tab
* Try to keep the link text consistent with the title or primary
heading of the link target (e.g. the title of the PDF document or
page)
* If you use icons, use them consistently (don't use one icon to mean
different things or sometimes use an icon and sometimes not in an
otherwise identical situation)
* Avoid run on sentences and paragraphs, make use of headings, lists
and properly formatted tables where appropriate.
* Avoid auto updating content and aggressive animations (they can make
people sick, literally)

There was a great article/presentation called "a web of anxiety"
recently, I don't have time to find it. It may not address your exact
situation but I remember really liking it and it giving me a different
take on understanding some forms of cognitive impairments.
Axis labs also has a good set of articles on accessibility, including
feedback from users with cognitive impairments:

https://axesslab.com/sv/

On 10/24/19, Laurie Kamrowski < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> I should clarify that I mean in the context of:
>
>
> - File name nomenclature and references to these files (Should the link
> in the moodle shell and the file name match?)
> - Information positions within a document
> - Powerpoint: Should there be a standard layout/theme throughout the
> entire class?
>
>
> Laurie Kamrowski
> She/Her/Hers
> Accessibility Specialist
> Mid Michigan College
>
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 9:58 AM Laurie Kamrowski < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> wrote:
>
>> Hello all,
>>
>> I am working in Moodle for my school, and I know that cognitive overload
>> can be a real barrier for a lot of learners. I am trying to ensure that
>> all
>> shells and classes are predictable for our students. I know that based
>> upon
>> Guideline 3.2: predictable it is recommended that the information is
>> presented in a uniform manner, but does anyone know if there is a
>> recommended format? I want to make sure that I'm as effective as possible
>> in presenting the information.
>>
>> https://www.w3.org/WAI/cognitive/
>>
>> Thank you for your time,
>>
>> Laurie Kamrowski
>> She/Her/Hers
>> Accessibility Specialist
>> Mid Michigan College
>>
>>
> > > > >


--
Work hard. Have fun. Make history.

From: Krista Greear
Date: Fri, Oct 25 2019 8:45AM
Subject: Re: Cognitive overload issues
← Previous message | Next message →

Unsure if this is the same webinar Birkir is referencing, but Level Access
hosted a webinar called How to Improve Accessibility for Users with Anxiety
<https://levelaccess.com/webinar-how-to-improve-accessibility-for-users-with-anxiety/>
.

On Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 11:08 AM Birkir R. Gunnarsson <
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

> Consistency and simplicity are your best bets.
> * Always explain your abbreviations the first time they are used
> * Keep language simple, avoid unnecessary complications
> * Warn users (with an icon + screen reader text) if links point to
> documents or videos or if links open in a new window or tab
> * Try to keep the link text consistent with the title or primary
> heading of the link target (e.g. the title of the PDF document or
> page)
> * If you use icons, use them consistently (don't use one icon to mean
> different things or sometimes use an icon and sometimes not in an
> otherwise identical situation)
> * Avoid run on sentences and paragraphs, make use of headings, lists
> and properly formatted tables where appropriate.
> * Avoid auto updating content and aggressive animations (they can make
> people sick, literally)
>
> There was a great article/presentation called "a web of anxiety"
> recently, I don't have time to find it. It may not address your exact
> situation but I remember really liking it and it giving me a different
> take on understanding some forms of cognitive impairments.
> Axis labs also has a good set of articles on accessibility, including
> feedback from users with cognitive impairments:
>
> https://axesslab.com/sv/
>
> On 10/24/19, Laurie Kamrowski < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> > I should clarify that I mean in the context of:
> >
> >
> > - File name nomenclature and references to these files (Should the
> link
> > in the moodle shell and the file name match?)
> > - Information positions within a document
> > - Powerpoint: Should there be a standard layout/theme throughout the
> > entire class?
> >
> >
> > Laurie Kamrowski
> > She/Her/Hers
> > Accessibility Specialist
> > Mid Michigan College
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 9:58 AM Laurie Kamrowski < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Hello all,
> >>
> >> I am working in Moodle for my school, and I know that cognitive overload
> >> can be a real barrier for a lot of learners. I am trying to ensure that
> >> all
> >> shells and classes are predictable for our students. I know that based
> >> upon
> >> Guideline 3.2: predictable it is recommended that the information is
> >> presented in a uniform manner, but does anyone know if there is a
> >> recommended format? I want to make sure that I'm as effective as
> possible
> >> in presenting the information.
> >>
> >> https://www.w3.org/WAI/cognitive/
> >>
> >> Thank you for your time,
> >>
> >> Laurie Kamrowski
> >> She/Her/Hers
> >> Accessibility Specialist
> >> Mid Michigan College
> >>
> >>
> > > > > > > > > >
>
>
> --
> Work hard. Have fun. Make history.
> > > > >


--
Krista Greear
Accessibility and Inclusivity Crusader
​ATHEN Executive Council Vice President​
Access Technology Higher Education Network <https://athenpro.org/>

From: Jim Allan
Date: Mon, Nov 11 2019 9:44AM
Subject: Re: Cognitive overload issues
← Previous message | No next message

https://developer.paciellogroup.com/blog/2018/08/a-web-of-anxiety-accessibility-for-people-with-anxiety-and-panic-disorders-part-1/

https://developer.paciellogroup.com/blog/2018/11/a-web-of-anxiety-accessibility-for-people-with-anxiety-and-panic-disorders-part-2/


On Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 12:08 PM Birkir R. Gunnarsson <
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

> Consistency and simplicity are your best bets.
> * Always explain your abbreviations the first time they are used
> * Keep language simple, avoid unnecessary complications
> * Warn users (with an icon + screen reader text) if links point to
> documents or videos or if links open in a new window or tab
> * Try to keep the link text consistent with the title or primary
> heading of the link target (e.g. the title of the PDF document or
> page)
> * If you use icons, use them consistently (don't use one icon to mean
> different things or sometimes use an icon and sometimes not in an
> otherwise identical situation)
> * Avoid run on sentences and paragraphs, make use of headings, lists
> and properly formatted tables where appropriate.
> * Avoid auto updating content and aggressive animations (they can make
> people sick, literally)
>
> There was a great article/presentation called "a web of anxiety"
> recently, I don't have time to find it. It may not address your exact
> situation but I remember really liking it and it giving me a different
> take on understanding some forms of cognitive impairments.
> Axis labs also has a good set of articles on accessibility, including
> feedback from users with cognitive impairments:
>
> https://axesslab.com/sv/
>
> On 10/24/19, Laurie Kamrowski < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> > I should clarify that I mean in the context of:
> >
> >
> > - File name nomenclature and references to these files (Should the
> link
> > in the moodle shell and the file name match?)
> > - Information positions within a document
> > - Powerpoint: Should there be a standard layout/theme throughout the
> > entire class?
> >
> >
> > Laurie Kamrowski
> > She/Her/Hers
> > Accessibility Specialist
> > Mid Michigan College
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 9:58 AM Laurie Kamrowski < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Hello all,
> >>
> >> I am working in Moodle for my school, and I know that cognitive overload
> >> can be a real barrier for a lot of learners. I am trying to ensure that
> >> all
> >> shells and classes are predictable for our students. I know that based
> >> upon
> >> Guideline 3.2: predictable it is recommended that the information is
> >> presented in a uniform manner, but does anyone know if there is a
> >> recommended format? I want to make sure that I'm as effective as
> possible
> >> in presenting the information.
> >>
> >> https://www.w3.org/WAI/cognitive/
> >>
> >> Thank you for your time,
> >>
> >> Laurie Kamrowski
> >> She/Her/Hers
> >> Accessibility Specialist
> >> Mid Michigan College
> >>
> >>
> > > > > > > > > >
>
>
> --
> Work hard. Have fun. Make history.
> > > > >


--
Jim Allan, Accessibility Coordinator
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1100 W. 45th St., Austin, Texas 78756
voice 512.206.9315 fax: 512.206.9452 http://www.tsbvi.edu/
"We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." McLuhan, 1964