Throughout this process, it wasn’t just the peer feedback I received that helped me grow, but also the act of reviewing my own work. As I assessed the projects of my peers, I began to notice gaps and areas for improvement in my own course.
I reached a point of frustration where I realized I needed to make a major shift. I ended up switching platforms to Pressbooks, which I believe better reflects the vision I had in mind for both content and visualization. One of the main reasons for this change stemmed from the accessibility concerns we discussed in class. I struggled to get the in-browser translation feature to work properly in Brightspace, particularly when it came to H5P content. The best solution I found was to move my project to Pressbooks, where this feature would function properly.
I also found it difficult to reconcile the idea of teaching how to use Brightspace within Brightspace. It just didn’t feel right to me, almost like a logical fallacy. Now that I’ve switched to Pressbooks, I feel much more comfortable with how I can deliver the content. I’m considering using an OER-style book integrated with Brightspace for future projects within my organization. What I really appreciate about Pressbooks is its easy organization, ability to create strong visuals, and its navigation and accessibility features.
Peer Feedback
Thank you to my peers!
The feedback from my peers has been more positive than my own self-reflection. The key messages I took from their input will be critical as I move forward with refining my project. Their feedback focused on reassessing the functionality of the H5P content and placing a stronger emphasis on accessibility, which I recognize was somewhat of an afterthought in my initial design. Going forward, I plan to prioritize accessibility more thoughtfully in my revisions.
Another area that was pointed out was the lack of student-to-student interaction. This is something I’m eager to address in the next set of modules. I must admit, I was inspired by the ideas I saw in the course I analyzed, and I’ll likely incorporate message board interactions, as they align with one of my key learning outcomes. However, asynchronous interactions still feel somewhat limited, so I’m hoping to develop more engaging ideas for this aspect over time.
In the end, the version of the course I presented for review didn’t really align with my original vision—it felt like trying to cram a square peg into a round hole. Thanks to valuable peer feedback and my own reflections, I now feel much more confident about the direction I’m heading. I’m excited to continue refining this project and to see it come to life in a way that truly reflects my goals.
My next steps
Increase/Implement Student-to-Student Interaction
- Add discussion boards, group projects, or peer reviews.
- Consider integrating synchronous sessions (e.g., live chats or video sessions) if possible.
Check H5P Functionality
- Ensure features are working as intended
- Ensure all interactive elements work smoothly on different devices.
- Test compatibility with different browsers to confirm the best user experience.
Check Accessibility on Various Devices
- Test your course on mobile phones, tablets, and desktops to ensure it’s responsive and user-friendly across platforms.
- Check for screen reader compatibility and easy navigation for users with disabilities.
Use an Accessibility Lens to Critically Examine Content
- Reassess text contrast, font sizes, and color schemes to ensure readability for all students.
- Review alt-text for images, captions for videos, and ensure all multimedia content is accessible.
- Use accessibility tool to analyze and improve content. Content types recommendations – H5P
In the breakout rooms during class this week we discussed how one of the best ways to make an online course more accessible is to show how the different elements in the course work and I made reference to your class specifically and how it’s serving that exact purpose. I applaud you, not only on coming up with the idea, but your attention to detail and persistence to continously find ways to improve. The switch to Pressbooks was good thinking as you are correct it did seem a little strange to be showing Brightspace in Brightspace, but even if it may have seemed odd you still managed to do a fantastic job at making it flow seemlessly!
As an aside, I learned today that the University of Regina is trying to build an introductory online course for all new students. They mentioned that it will be more for topics like academic integrity and such, but with the added goal of trying to make students more familiar with UR Courses from the start of the higher learning career. I hope they will spend additional time trying to focus on the latter. Here’s hoping they do a test run of the course to recieve feedback. If that happens I will undoubtedly be making suggestions by comparing it to both the great work you’ve done and plan to do with your course!
It’s so great to hear how receptive you’ve been to the peer feedback and how much it’s helping shape the direction of your project! I totally understand the challenge of aligning your initial vision with the practical aspects of course design. Sometimes it really does feel like a square peg in a round hole! But it sounds like you’re taking all the right steps to refine and improve. I love your focus on increasing student-to-student interaction, and the idea of incorporating discussion boards and group projects sounds like a perfect fit to encourage more collaboration. Also, I’m really glad to see that you’re prioritizing accessibility more thoughtfully now. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s such a crucial aspect that benefits all students. It’s awesome that you’re testing everything on different devices and considering screen reader compatibility; small adjustments like that can make a huge difference in the overall experience.
I’m excited to see how your course evolves. it’s clear you’re on the right path!
Hi Matt!! Your honest reflection and willingness to pivot mid-course is a powerful part of your design journey. Shifting to Pressbooks to better support accessibility and your overall vision shows your deep commitment to inclusive learning. The way you’re tackling student-to-student interaction, accessibility, and functionality with such a clear, actionable roadmap is inspiring. Your transparency in sharing both the frustrations and breakthroughs is something many of us can relate to and learn from! I admire your courage and your conviction!!