Information Services Learning Management System

Using Blogs with JAWS

Blogs

The blog tool provides an interface for reflective writing and topical commentary within a subject in the form of an online journal. Blogs can be added for all subject users, or for individuals, or groups of selected users within a subject. The subject coordinator chooses the level of access and editing rights for users within the subject.

The blog tool can be found in your subject menu or within a content page of your subject. If you can't locate the blog, check with your lecturer as to where it may be located.

The instructions in this guide will describe the process needed to locate and access a blog within a content page of your LMS subject.

1.1. Note about edit fields

Some times when in edit fields JAWS seems to get lost and no longer reads out options. The most reliable way to fix this is to close down the web browser and log back into the LMS.

1.2. Navigating to the blog

If you are new to the LMS, the most effective method of familiarising yourself with the layout of any subject page is to arrow through it. The methods below provide shortcuts for people familiar with their LMS subject.

Once you are inside your LMS subject

You are now in the subject area where the blog is located. Exactly where you are varies depending on the page.

You are now situated in the section of the LMS subject page where the blog (and maybe other items) will appear.

Note: There can be numerous items on the page.

Note: JAWS will read 'subject content frame frame end' when you have reached the end.

1.3. Opening and reading a blog

This will open the blog you have chosen and you can read the contents of the page.

1.4. Navigating through the selected blog

The way blogs have been designed (in frames) means that JAWS reads a lot of text, some of which is irrelevant to the viewer. It is recommended JAWS users arrow through the blog page to familiarise themselves to what is on offer.

1.5. Creating a new entry

You can create a new entry in the blog using the following steps

INSERT+F7, this brings up a list of links on the page

Arrow down until you reach the new entry option (or press the letter N key)

ENTER to activate this link

You have created a new entry that currently has no text in it.

1.5.1. Adding a title to the new entry

Note: Do not press ENTER at this stage as this will save and close the new blog page without adding any text in the body of the entry.

1.5.2. Entering text into the main edit field

You are now situated in the edit field (JAWS does not identify you are in an edit field box)

Note: JAWS may read out text that is not inside the text box - please ignore this.

The cursor will be situated at the recently written text; you have the option to view/edit this text.

Note: During the edit process the page may refresh and move the cursor to the top of the page. If this occurs, you will be unable to immediately arrow down to the 'Save' or 'Cancel' options. Instead you should press the letter B key and then ENTER on the 'Save' option or arrow down again and ENTER on the 'Cancel' option.

1.6. Adding a comment to a blog

You may also have the option to comment on the blog entries you or others have created (if they are visible).

Note: Comments are only available if your lecturer has enabled them when creating the blog.

Note: immediately after the comment link, the lines of text 'edit' and 'enter comment' appear. These are not options which can be selected, they are just descriptive text.

If there are any comments JAWS will read 'same page link, comments comments'

If there are no comments:

The cursor will be situated at the recently written comments ñ you have the option to view/edit this text

Note: you will not get a notice informing you your comment has been added.

However, the number of comments is now displayed next to the comments on the previous page.

1.6.1. Viewing comments

The information visible will be:

1.6.2. Deleting your comments

While viewing your own comments a 'Delete' link is available.

Note: the option to delete other people's comments is not available.

A dialogue box appears asking you if you are sure you want to delete this comment?

The options of 'CANCEL' or 'OK' appear

1.7. Editing entries

You may be able to edit your own entries if this has been authorised by your lecturer.

You are now situated in the edit field (JAWS does not identify you are in an edit field box)

Note: JAWS may read out text that is not inside the text box - please ignore this.

The cursor will be situated at the recently written text; you have the option to view/edit this text.

Note: During the edit process the page may refresh and move the cursor to the top of the page. If this occurs, you will be unable to immediately arrow down to the 'Save' or 'Cancel' options. Instead you should press the letter B key and then ENTER on the 'Save' option or arrow down again and ENTER on the 'Cancel' option.

1.8. Using the calendar to find relevant posts

A useful tool in the blog is the calendar.

The calendar section is situated at the bottom part of the blog. To find the calendar:

As it is set out in a table, if you arrow down through it, JAWS reads the first letter of each day of the week, then each date of the current month.

Note: if a date is a link, this means that an entry was posted on that day. This can make it easy to see when the blog has been updated or to search for relevant posts.

After entering on the particular date or month, the blogs for that day will appear.

 

For students experiencing disability, some aspects of the LMS may present access difficulties. If you need any assistance or advice about using the LMS, or would like to book a consultation about your LMS subject please contact the Disability Liaison Unit at dlu-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au

 

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