Mic Up your Classroom: A really easy way to practice and promote accessibility is to encourage the use of a microphone in your live meetings. Presenters tend to use them when speaking, but mics are used less frequently when it’s a student or other participant doing the talking. This often excludes students with a hearing loss, and if you’re recording the meeting, those speaking without a microphone will likely not be heard when the recording is played at a later time. In the article Just Use a Microphone Already, Jess Ramsey (Chatham University associate professor) discusses how not using a microphone inhibits participation for individuals with a hearing loss. The article also shares best practices for using a microphone to provide a more inclusive environment for everyone. To learn more about microphone and instructional technology availability in your classroom, visit learningspaces.uncg.edu.
Keywords: Accessibility; Technology