Incorporating images in educational content greatly enhances engagement and understanding. However, to ensure all students benefit equally—including those using screen readers or those who experience image loading issues—it’s essential to use alt text effectively. This guide walks you through inserting images in Canvas assignments with a focus on crafting descriptive alt text for improved accessibility.
Step 1: Preparing to Insert Your Image
When editing your assignment in Canvas, navigate to the spot where you want the image to appear. For instance, if you’re adding a visual preview related to an activity like a Jamboard, click in the text area below or after your instructions. Press ‘Enter’ as needed to create space for your image and prevent unwanted formatting changes like auto-numbering.
Step 2: Uploading the Image
On the toolbar in the editing window, locate the image insertion dropdown menu. Canvas typically offers three main options:
- Upload an Image from your computer
- Select from Course Images previously uploaded
- Select from User Images you’ve saved in Canvas
To add a brand-new image, choose the upload option. A pop-up window allows you to either drag-and-drop your image file, or click to browse your computer files. For example, if you took a screenshot of the Jamboard preview, simply select that image from your desktop or designated folder and click “Open.”
Step 3: Adding Alt Text to Your Image
Once your image preview appears in the uploader, you’ll see attributes you can adjust, including an alt text box. This part is critical for accessibility:
- If the Image is Decorative: Images that don’t convey essential information can be marked as decorative, which disables the alt text box. This tells screen readers to skip the image.
- If the Image Conveys Content: Most educational images fall into this category. Instead of marking as decorative, type a clear, concise description that conveys the image’s purpose or content. An alt text like “Preview of Jamboard” succinctly informs students about what the image shows, whether they can see it or are hearing it through assistive technology.
Alt text serves two important functions:
- It provides screen reader users with meaningful descriptions to understand the content.
- It appears as a fallback if the image fails to load, ensuring all students still receive key information.
Step 4: Display Options and Final Placement
Before submitting the image upload, consider how you want the image to display:
- Embedding the Image: This is the default and inserts the image visibly within your text.
- Text Link Option: Alternatively, you can choose to display the image as a clickable link opening in a new tab, which might be appropriate for large files or external content.
After confirming your alt text and display choice, click Submit. You’ll see your image located exactly where you placed your cursor.
Step 5: Adjusting Image Alignment
To improve visual appeal and readability, use the alignment options in the toolbar when the image is selected. You can align the image left, center, or right. Center alignment often works well for previews or illustrations meant to stand out.
Step 6: Editing Image Attributes Post-Insertion
If you need to update the alt text or other image attributes later, click on the image and select the Image Options button. A sidebar will appear allowing you to revise alt text or other settings without deleting and re-uploading.
Why Alt Text Matters
Providing accurate alt text is a simple yet powerful way to make your Canvas assignments accessible to every student. It ensures that students using screen readers or those with limited internet connectivity still gain the full context and meaning from images accompanying instructions or learning activities.
By mastering image insertion and alt text usage, you create an inclusive learning environment that recognizes diverse student needs and leverages visual tools to enhance comprehension and engagement.
Summary
- Insert your image where you want it in the assignment text editor.
- Upload images either from your computer or Canvas storage options.
- Always provide meaningful alt text unless the image is purely decorative.
- Choose to embed images or display as links based on context.
- Adjust alignment for better visual presentation.
- Edit alt text anytime through image options.
- Alt text improves accessibility and serves as a fallback if images don’t load.
Using these steps, you can confidently add images to your assignments in Canvas while supporting accessibility best practices for all learners.
