What does Multimedia include?

Multimedia items include sound files, pre-recorded videos, and live virtual classroom sessions.

• Sound files must include a text transcript of the audio.
• Podcasts.
• Audio Lectures.
• Music.
• Pre-recorded videos must include closed captiolns.
• Lecture recordings.
• Live classroom sessions will include synchronous captions and services as needed.
• Virtual classroom sessions.

Why make Multimedia Accessible?

• Making multimedia items accessible allows them to be used by multiple audiences including:
• Those who are hearing-impaired
• Speakers who are non-native
• Those in a loud environment or those in a quiet setting
• People with a variety of learning styles

How does Distance Learning assist in making multimedia accessible?

Sound files are transcribed by instructors or by a third-party service, depending on the need.

Pre-recorded videos of instructor lectures can be closed-captioned by using the instructor’s prepared script or by third-party transcriptions of the lectures prior to being posted for students. In addition, pre-recorded videos posted to YouTube are auto-captioned by YouTube. However, the auto-captions created by YouTube are often largely inaccurate and must be checked and corrected.

For live virtual classroom sessions, Distance Learning utilizes a third-party captioning service. This allows any students who are deaf or hearing-impaired to actively participate in classes just as easily as their classmates. A live captioner is added to the class so students can read what the professor is saying during the class, and the transcript is saved along with the recording and posted in the course site.