Open-Ended Reflection Activity Types

Standard

The standard with which Michigan Virtual courses need to comply.

WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines for accessibility, ensuring all activities are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Consistency in formatting and structure according to Michigan Virtual’s instructional design principles.
Clear instructions and prompts that encourage critical thinking and personal connection to the course material.
Support for various types of learners, providing options for text, audio, and video responses where applicable.
Feedback or examples of correct responses should always be provided.
Use formative assessment or pass/fail grading only if it is automatically scored without prior instructor review.

What exactly do course developers need to include in order to comply with this standard?

Ensure all open-ended reflection activities are accessible, including using appropriate heading structures, alt text for images, and keyboard navigation.
Follow a consistent format for reflection prompts, including a clear, concise question or statement, and guidance on the expected response length and depth.
Provide examples of high-quality responses to help students understand expectations.
Offer multiple response options (text, audio, video) to accommodate different learning styles and preferences where applicable.
Allow for enough space for learners to write their responses.

How can course developers implement this standard? What is the process for doing so?

Accessibility: Use CourseArc and Brightspace’s built-in accessibility checkers to ensure all content meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines.
Consistent Formatting: Develop a template for open-ended reflection activities that includes the reflection prompt, instructions, and examples.
Clear Instructions: Write specific and relevant reflection prompts that encourage critical thinking and personal engagement with course content.
Multiple Response Options: Enable and instruct students on how to submit reflections in various formats (text, audio, video) using the platform’s tools.
Offer immediate feedback upon submission, including acknowledgment of receipt and examples of potential correct responses.

What resources would help a developer implement this standard appropriately?