Provide Alternative Texts and Captions

4.4 Provide Alternative Texts and Captions Examples

Providing alternative texts (alt text) and captions ensures accessibility for students with visual or hearing impairments. Here are examples of how to implement alternative text and captions for multimedia content on the topic Windows 10 Security Features in a PC Operating System course.

1. Alternative Text for Images & Infographics

📌 Example 1: Infographic on Windows 10 Security Features
Image Description (Alt Text):
“An infographic showing six Windows 10 security features, each represented by an icon: Windows Defender Antivirus (shield icon), BitLocker Encryption (lock icon), Windows Firewall (flame icon), Windows Hello (face recognition icon), SmartScreen Filter (browser shield icon), and User Account Control (UAC) (warning shield icon). Each feature has a short description below it.”

📌 Example 2: Screenshot of Windows Defender in Action
Alt Text:
“Screenshot of Windows Defender Security Center displaying a green checkmark with the message ‘Your device is protected’ under Virus & Threat Protection settings.”

📌 How It Helps:

  • Ensures students using screen readers can understand images.
  • Provides a text-based alternative to visual information.

2. Captions for Videos & Audio Content

📌 Example 1: Video Tutorial on Configuring Windows Firewall
Video Description: “This tutorial demonstrates how to enable and customize Windows Firewall settings.”
Captions:
🔊 Instructor speaking:
“To enable Windows Firewall, open the Control Panel and navigate to ‘Windows Defender Firewall.’ Click on ‘Turn Windows Firewall on or off’ and ensure both private and public network settings are enabled.”

📌 Example 2: Podcast Episode on Cybersecurity Threats & Windows 10 Solutions
🎙️ Podcast Title: “How Windows 10 Security Features Keep You Safe Online”
🔊 Audio Transcript:
“In this episode, we discuss how Windows Defender detects malware, how BitLocker encryption secures sensitive files, and why Windows Hello is a safer alternative to traditional passwords.”

📌 How It Helps:

  • Captions assist hearing-impaired students by converting spoken words into text.
  • Transcripts allow students to review content at their own pace.

3. Text-Based Descriptions for Interactive Media & Animations

📌 Example 1: Interactive Drag-and-Drop Activity (Matching Security Features to Their Functions)
🖥️ Activity: “Drag each Windows 10 security feature to its correct function.”
📄 Text Description for Screen Readers:
“This activity allows users to match Windows 10 security features with their correct descriptions. The features available for matching are Windows Defender, BitLocker, Windows Firewall, SmartScreen, and User Account Control (UAC).”

📌 Example 2: Animated Explainer Video on Windows Defender Antivirus
🎬 Text Description:
“This animation explains how Windows Defender scans files, detects threats, and removes malware. The animation visually represents a virus attempting to infect a computer, but Windows Defender blocks it with a shield.”

📌 How It Helps:

  • Ensures students who can’t view animations still understand the content.
  • Allows all students to engage with interactive media effectively.

Final Thoughts

Using alternative text, captions, and transcripts makes learning inclusive and accessible to all students, including those with visual or hearing impairments.