Hyperlinks are a powerful
accessibility feature of online learning.
They enable tutors to provide
alternative routes, alternative
explanations and alternative media. They
are excellent for supporting
differentiation making both simpler and
more advanced explanations available to
all students, different media
preferences - pointing to video, podcast,
infographic or text
alternatives where available, alternative
'case study' choices
supporting students with divergent
interests / experiences, and
personalised routeways through complex
material.
- Ensure you use adequate colour
contrast AND underlining on hyperlink
text.
- Ensure the link is unique and
descriptive. For example "Click here
for more information on irish
destinations".
- Don't use all caps in links.
- Provide a text warning in the actual
link text if it is going to open in a
new window.
- Provide meaningful text when you
provide links to file resources.
Information should include file type
and size.
- Use plain, concise, and consistent
language for your link text.
- Don't use the word "link" in the text of your link, instead use some words to describe the
destination.
- Use meaningful alt descriptions,
relevant to the destination of your
image as a link.
- Avoid using link text like "Click
here", "Download Here", or "Visit this
page".
- Use the name of the page / site in a
link text rather than the URL
itself.
- Be sure to find and remove any broken
links in your content.
Remember! The way you
implement hyperlinks can create
benefits or barriers depending on your
practice.
Hyperlinks are only valuable when you can
find them easily, instantly
determine whether you want to
follow them and know what will happen
next.