Exercise step and external tool examples

Padlet

Please note that as of September 2024, Padlet requires users to have an account in order to post or view content - this may be a blocker for some learners.

• Used for: allows users to upload media like images, videos and text to a “wall” visible to other users without the need for an account.
• Accessibility issues: If learners can only use a keyboard, Padlets can be viewed but not edited. 
• Requires Javascript.
• Doesn’t offer low vision colour contrast (but is compatible with extensions like High Contrast for Chrome.
• Doesn’t guarantee functionality on any version of Internet Explorer.
• Solutions: provide adequate fallback measures. Encourage learners to give clear titles and captions for the images they upload. 
• Let learners know the step requires JavaScipt and that their learning will not be adversely affected if they can't access the exercise. 
• Provide an educator's summary in the comments section summarising the Padlet contributions.

Mentimeter

• Used for: Live polls and quizzes.
• Requires Javascript.
• Displayed in an iFrame.
• Can have scrolling issues on IOS (mobile operating system). 
• Solutions: provide adequate fallback measures such as PDF versions of quizzes and summarise the poll results after the week has ended. Although the learners won't be able to share their views via the PDF, at least they can engage in the activity.
• Let learners know the step requires JavaScipt and that their learning will not be adversely affected if they can't access the exercise.
• Display in an exercise step, not an external tool. 

Mentimeter (word cloud function)

• Used for: Wordclouds. 
• Requires Javascript.
• Needs to be displayed in an iFrame. 
• Colour vision contrast can make it hard to read for dyslexic learners.
• Screenreader can read the wordcloud in order of largest word but this doesn't convey the size difference in the image.
• Let Learners know that step requires Javascript.
• Display in an iFrame.
• Check that a screenreader can read the image.
• Ensure that there are sufficient contrast levels between background and text colour + dark on a light background. If possible, also avoid green and red/pinks as these colours are difficult for those who have colour blindness.
• After the week has ended, provide a pdf of the word cloud, preferably along with a frequency table (see example column).
• Example mentimenter word cloud step

Kubity 

• Used for: Virtual Reality Simulation.
• Accessibility issues: Kubity supports the latest desktop versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge but does not currently work on Safari.
• To access Kubity from a mobile device, you will need to download the free, Kubity app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Requires Javascript.
• Needs to be displayed in iFrame.
• Solutions: Provide guidance about how to use Kubity on different browsers. 
• If possible, provide images or PDFs as fallback measures for any learners whose device cannot support Kubity. 
• Let learners know that the step requires Javascript and an app if they are using a mobile device.

Knight Labs 

• Used for: Timelines. 
• Accessibility issues: requires Javascript.
• Not navigable by keyboard alone.
• Needs to be displayed in an iFrame.
• Solutions: provide adequate fallback PDF of timeline.
• Let learners know that step requires Javascript.
• Display in an iFrame. 
• Example Knight Labs Timeline step

H5P

• Used for: timeline. 
• Accessibility issues: requires Javascript.
• Needs to be displayed in an iFrame.
• Solution: provide adequate fallback PDF of timeline.
• Let learners know that step requires Javascript.
• Display in an iFrame.
• Example H5P step.

Typeform

• Used for: polls to gauge the opinion of the cohort and share it back to the group. 
• Accessibility issues: reports of learners not being able to access Typeform using a screenreader (including their “fallback” version).
• Requires Javascript. There is a fallback version but this doesn’t always load automatically when Javascript is disabled.
• Needs to be displayed in an iFrame.
• On iOS devices it’s not possible to scroll through text entered into text fields on Typeform polls.
• Any non-text content entered into Typeform polls may not be accessible.
• Solutions: Provide adequate fallback PDF containing all the content in the Typeform (questions, feedback, any other content). Although learners won’t be able to share their views via a PDF, it at least avoids the situation where the content is completely inaccessible to learners with visual impairments. Depending on the step, it might be appropriate for learners to contribute their thoughts via the comments section instead.
• Example Typeform step.
• Poll, discussion and quiz steps within Course Creator replicate much of the functionality required.

Terminology on this page that you aren’t familiar with? Check out our glossary. 

Contact FutureLearn