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Chrystal Trapani, in a car, not smiling

Chrystal Trapani

Sarah Camp, standing in front of a hedge, wearing cat eye glasses and a rainbow striped shirt.

Sarah Camp

Breakout 3C

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm Central Time

Avoid It Like the Plague: PDFs and Why You Should (Nearly) Never Use Them

Presented by

Chrystal Trapani, Kristin White, Sarah Camp, & Jenna Ashley, Old Dominion University

Kristin White, smiling

Kristin White

Jenna Ashley in a black leather jacket taking a selfie in front of a corkboard with papers

Jenna Ashley

Many educators use PDFs in their courses, but most have not considered the accessibility implications when using them.  The reality is most PDFs that are posted to a digital learning platform are inaccessible.  While PDFs have their place, classroom use is rarely it.  This workshop will review why PDFs should not be used in a classroom setting, how to remediate PDF content, and how to check for PDF accessibility.

Chrystal Trapani is an Instructional Technologist with the Center for Learning and Teaching and an adjunct instructor in the Department of English at Old Dominion University. Chrystal blends her experience working with first-generation and non-traditional students, curriculum development, creating interactive and accessible online course content, digital accessibility, and training faculty in order to help them achieve positive student outcomes and success. In working with faculty, she helps her colleagues gain strong, working knowledge of how to make course content successful for students of all learning abilities.

Kristin White is an Instructional Technologist with the Center for Learning and Teaching at Old Dominion University; she has been an integral part of ODU’s transition to remote teaching during COVID-19 and continues to develop and facilitate faculty support on topics including Zoom, Canvas, VoiceThread, Kaltura, and other instructional technologies via workshops, consultations, videos, and support documentation. While building online interactive activities for faculty, she has noticed the absence of basic accessibility knowledge and does her best to inform and educate others on how to make content accessible to all learners.

 

Sarah Camp earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English Literature from Old Dominion University. She currently serves as an Instructional Technologist with Old Dominion University's Center for Learning and Teaching. Additionally, Sarah adjuncts with the English department also at ODU. Sarah is WebAIM certified and a VoiceThread certified educator.

Jenna Ashley is an Instructional Technologist with the Center for Learning and Teaching at Old Dominion University, and a former secondary inclusion mathematics teacher. Jenna is a Google Certified Trainer, Google Certified Coach, a Global GEG Leader, and a Canvas Certified Educator. She is also physically disabled and hearing impaired and enjoys helping others make content that is accessible to all. 
 

Presentation Information & Materials

Coming Soon!

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