Purdue University Northwest / Center for Faculty Excellence / Programs and Services / Accessible Instructional Materials / Choosing the Best Format for Digital Course Content

Choosing the Best Format for Digital Course Content

Use the decision tree below to determine the best format for your digital course content to ensure the content is accessible and engaging to support student learning.

For guidance on creating accessible course content in the desired format, access the Accessibility in Digital Content – Seven Core Skills Checklist.

What kind of content are you creating?

1. Is the content primarily text-based (instructions, explanations, weekly overviews)?

Examples include instructions, explanations, weekly overviews, etc.

Build the content directly on a Brightspace HTML Page.

  • Most accessible option
  • Mobile-responsive and easy to update
  • Built-in accessibility checker
  • Ideal for chunked content and Creator+ enhancements

Continue to the next step.

2. Do students need to submit a response?

Examples include responding to prompts, completing questions and submitting work.

Choose an option based on the type of student action.

Option A — Students need a downloadable/editable file

  1. Use a Microsoft Word Document.
    • Best when students need to type into a file
    • Built-in accessibility checker
    • Works well for templates and worksheets

Option B — Students answer directly in Brightspace

  1. Use a Brightspace Quiz (for Q&A, fill-in, short answer, self-checks).
    • Best for structured questions
    • Auto-graded options available
    • Accessible and mobile-friendly
    • Reduces file clutter for students
  2. Use a Brightspace Assignment (for uploaded work or longer written responses).
    • Students submit directly in the LMS
    • Rubrics and feedback tools built in
    • No document downloading required

Continue to the next step.

3. Is the content visual or interactive?

Examples include visual materials, interactive elements, simulations or step‑by‑step walkthroughs.

Choose based on how you want students to experience the visuals:

Option A — Students need to engage with visuals in an actual slide deck format

  1. Use a PowerPoint Presentation.
    • Best for presentations, narrated mini-lectures and class slides
    • Accessibility checker built in
    • Good for visually structured explanations

Option B — Students need to view the visual content, perhaps with interactive elements

  1. Create a Brightspace Page with Creator+ Elements.
    • Add hotspots, flip cards, accordions, or image annotations
    • More interactive and more accessible than a standalone slide deck
    • Streamlines the student experience (no downloads)

Continue to the next step.

4. Do you need to preserve the layout exactly as-is?

Use a PDF, but sparingly.

  • Least accessible format
  • Difficult to make accessible
  • Only recommended for documents that truly cannot be recreated digitally in accessible formats

The Brightspace HTML Page is the most accessible and flexible choice.