Are We Just Reviewing the Syllabus Today? Creating Graphic and Interactive ADA Compliant Syllabi

Concurrent Session 6

Session Materials

Brief Abstract

On the first day of class, have you ever experienced students' initial reaction of "are we only reviewing the syllabus today?". The session aims to apply, create, and evaluate ideas concerning graphic syllabi within ADA compliance. 

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Amy Dye-Reeves, Texas Tech University

Amy Dye-Reeves is an Associate Librarian within the Texas Tech University Libraries. She is the liaison to the College of Education and Department of History. She provides information literacy instructional sessions and workshops throughout the year. She loves assisting faculty members with any of their upcoming research projects. She received her Master of Information Science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Additionally, she has a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in History from East Tennessee State University. Before joining TTU, Amy was an Assistant Professor of Research and Instruction at Murray State University. She previously spent 5 years as a certified State of Tennessee Educator with a Pre K to Grade 12 (Library Media Specialist) endorsement. In 2019, she won the Innovators Award from the University of Tennessee School of Information Science. During the spring of 2018, she was selected to participate in a four-month Wikipedia Education Fellowship Program. Research interests include information literacy instruction, learning outcomes assessment, instructional design, and gamification.

Extended Abstract

On the first day of class, have you ever experienced students' initial reaction of "are we only reviewing the syllabus today?". In these beginning moments, students experience feelings of anxiety concerning the start of a new course during those initial first few moments of the course. In addition, the syllabus is the student's first overall impression of the course and the attached instructor. (Harnish and Bridges 2011; Harrington and Gabert-Quillen 2015; Lundy et al. 2016). Therefore, the instructor might consider developing a graphic syllabus to engage the overall student audience. (Nielson, 2007).

The graphic syllabus originated from the work of dual coding theory (Clark and Paivio 1991; Moreno and Meyer 1999; Paivio 1991; Moreno and Meyer 1999; Paivio 1971; Vekiri 2002; Yerian 2009). A graphic syllabus combines text and visual components to present one cohesive story (Nilson, 2007). The following session will transform traditional syllabi with attached course policies, expectations, scheduled activities, and assignments into a graphic syllabi format. The visual content option offers students a method that promotes engagement and maintains retention within an inclusive learning environment. (Fukuda, Sakata, and  Takeuchi 2011).

 This session will provide information on creating a graphic syllabus with a semester-long course to aid ADA compliance. The graphic syllabus session will demonstrate accessibility and inclusion for all learning preferences and abilities (Fleming and Baume 2006). In addition, the session will provide examples of implementing techniques such as GRAPHIC (Scott et al., 2017). Each participant will be working in groups to create a mock graphic syllabus. Each group can self-select through various technologies (Canva, Infogram, Piktochart) as demonstrated by the session facilitator.

After participating in this session, each participant will be able to apply, create, and implement their ideas for an ADA-compliant graphic syllabus within any future courses. In addition, upon completion, each group will have time to present their experiences and a chance to win prizes. 

Level of Participation:

The first part of the session is structured to provide information about incorporating a graphic syllabus within ADA compliance. The second half of the session focuses on group participation. Each attendee will be placed into teams to create an ADA-compliant graphic syllabus using specific technologies such as Canva, Infogram, and Piktochart. All attendees will briefly present their findings and challenges in creating a graphic syllabus—each attendee will compete for a special prize upon task completion.

Session Goals:

  • Each participant will develop an ADA compliant mock graphic syllabus with sample course objectives provided by the presenter.
  • Each participant will discuss and evaluate using graphic syllabi for incorporation within future academic courses.
  • Each participant will reflect using a digital Flipboard to continue future conversations with all conference attendees.