Office of Online Learning
The Minnesota State Moorhead Office of Online Learning team enables and enhances student learning by providing instructors with support and resources for using technology in the development of customized learning environments.
Helpful document links
News and Announcements
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Accessibility Tip: Avoid Images of Text
Images that contain text are often used in graphics, announcements, or promotional materials. While these images may look visually appealing, they can create accessibility barriers if the text is not available in another format. Screen readers cannot read text that is embedded inside an image. This means people who rely on assistive technology may miss important information if it only […]
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Resources for Regular and Substantive Interaction
As you begin planning for your Fall courses, we want to highlight several resources that support Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI), particularly in online learning environments. MSUM Online Learning and the system office’s Network for Educational Development (NED) both offer a wide range of materials to assist with course design and instructional practices. Over the next few weeks, we will […]
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Accessibility Tip: A Quick Accessibility Check Before You Publish
As deadlines approach, it’s easy to focus on finishing content and overlook accessibility. Taking a few minutes to review accessibility before publishing a document, presentation, or webpage can help ensure everyone can access the information. Even small adjustments can make a significant difference for people using assistive technology. Quick Accessibility Checks Before publishing digital content, take a moment to review […]
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Accessibility Compliance Deadline Postponed
Dragon Community, Our MSUM Digital Accessibility Subcommittee would like to share the most current update related to digital accessibility compliance. On Monday, 4/20, the U.S. Department of Justice extended the current ADA Title II digital accessibility compliance deadline. The deadline has shifted from April 24, 2026, to April 26, 2027. While this extension provides additional time, it does not change […]
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Accessibility Tip: Why Headings Matter
Headings help organize content and make information easier to read and navigate. On webpages, in documents, and in presentations, headings create a clear structure that helps users quickly find the information they need. For people using screen readers, headings are especially important. Screen readers allow users to navigate content by jumping from heading to heading, similar to scanning an outline. […]
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Accessibility Tip: Writing Better Link Text
Links are an essential part of web content, helping users navigate to additional information and resources. Clear and descriptive link text makes it easier for everyone to understand where a link will take them. For people using screen readers, link text is especially important. Screen readers can provide a list of links on a page, allowing users to quickly scan […]
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Accessibility Tip: Accessibility Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Every day, students, employees, and community members rely on digital content to learn, work, and connect with the university. Ensuring that content is accessible helps make those experiences inclusive for everyone. Creating accessible content is not just the responsibility of one department or team. Accessibility is a shared effort across the university. Anyone who creates or publishes digital content plays […]
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Accessibility Tip: Training Helps Us All
The Required Annual Training includes Digital Accessibility Foundations, a short course that covers practical steps for creating accessible digital content. Training due: March 31, 2026Completing the training helps prepare you — and the university — for the DOJ accessibility deadline. Explore accessibility resources: Accessibility Knowledge Base Accessibility Tip is a series from the Digital Accessibility group, a subcommittee of the […]
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Accessibility Tip: AI and Digital Accessibility
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a common part of everyday technology. From writing assistants to automated captions, AI tools are helping people work more efficiently and access information in new ways. AI can also support accessibility by improving tools that help people with disabilities interact with digital content. However, AI is not perfect. It should be used thoughtfully to ensure […]
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Accessibility Tip: Review VPATs Before You Request Purchase
Before submitting a request to purchase or renew digital tools, accessibility must be part of the review process. A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a vendor-completed document that explains how a product meets accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Reviewing a VPAT helps ensure the technology we adopt is usable by individuals with disabilities and aligns with ADA […]
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Accessibility Tip: Start with Your Syllabus
Faculty syllabi are often the first digital documents students encounter in a course. Make sure your syllabus is accessible by using built-in headings, readable fonts, sufficient color contrast, and accessible PDFs or Word files. Small fixes now help us prepare for the DOJ digital accessibility deadline of April 24, 2026 and improve access for all students. Learn more: Core Digital […]
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Accessibility Tip: Make Your PowerPoint Slides Accessible
PowerPoint slides can be a powerful way to support learning and communication. But when slides aren’t designed with accessibility in mind, they can create barriers for users with visual, cognitive, or motor disabilities. This short 2‑minute video provides one example of how inaccessible slides can disrupt the user experience: User Impact of Inaccessible PowerPoints. Follow these best practices to work […]
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Accessibility Tip: New Content Must Be Accessible
Accessibility isn’t just about fixing old content. Under new DOJ requirements, all new and updated digital content — including documents, videos, web pages, and course materials — must meet accessibility standards. Building accessibility into your workflow now saves time later and supports campus-wide compliance by April 24, 2026. Get tools and guidance: Accessibility Tools & Best Practices Accessibility Tip is […]
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Accessibility Tip: Don’t Rely on Color Alone to Convey Meaning
Color can be a helpful visual cue, but when it’s the only way information is communicated, that information becomes inaccessible to many people. For example, users with color-vision differences (such as red-green color blindness), low vision, partial sight, limited display capabilities, or those printing content in black and white may not be able to perceive color differences at all. What […]
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New Content Experience in D2L Brightspace: Summer & Fall 26 Courses
Instructors: As part of ongoing efforts to improve consistency and usability across D2L Brightspace, the Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs approved the ASA Technology Council recommendation that the New Content Experience be the default experience in all D2L Brightspace courses starting summer 2026. To get started with the New Content Experience, faculty can visit one of the […]
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Accessibility Tip: Prepare Now for the DOJ Digital Accessibility Deadline
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has finalized new requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that apply to public universities. These rules require that digital content — including websites, documents, videos, online forms, and course materials — be accessible to people with disabilities. Key Compliance Deadline: April 24, 2026By this date, our digital content must […]
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Accessibility Tip: Accessibility+ Update and Trainings
As we prepare to launch Accessibility+ in D2L Brightspace, faculty are encouraged to participate in upcoming training opportunities beginning as early as this week. Below is an overview of the updated timeline, training options, and available support resources. Timeline Training Sessions Training is jointly provided by the Online Learning team and MinnState’s NED, covering both Accessibility+ functionality and general digital […]
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D2L’s Accessibility Lab Offers Practical Training to Build More Inclusive Course Content
D2L has expanded its Accessibility Lab, an online resource that helps educators and course designers learn how to create accessible, inclusive learning content using its Brightspace platform. The Lab is a hands-on Brightspace course within the Accessibility Academy, open to community members who register for access. The online Lab guides users through accessibility principles and real assistive technologies across three […]
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Accessibility Tip: Try the No Mouse Challenge
MSUM employees are invited to participate in the No Mouse Challenge—a quick activity that helps build awareness of digital accessibility. For 15 minutes, try completing everyday computer tasks using only your keyboard. This simple exercise shows what our digital content is like for people who can’t use a mouse, including many users with disabilities or assistive technology. After trying the […]
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Sharpen Your Skills in Digital Accessibility
Build your confidence in creating inclusive, accessible digital materials. Minnesota State’s NED (Network for Educational Development) offers free, high-impact training for faculty and staff – perfect for anyone who develops course content or communicates with students.Enroll in a short course today! Explore additional offerings on the NED resource site.
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