Confirming student access to alternate file formats in Canvas

UDOIT allows faculty to generate alternate formats of course files and, by default, this access has been extended to students.

Note: Although students can access alternate file formats made available through UDOIT, they cannot see UDOIT in their course navigation, nor can they access any UDOIT reports. Moreover, UDOIT does not collect student data.

Students will see a download button next to any course file that has been scanned by UDOIT (See Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Download a pdf file

The student can select the button to view the available alternate formats (See Fig. 2).

Figure 2: List of alternate formats including optimized PDF, HTML, audio file (MP3), ePub digital book and plain text

The new file should be available within 30 minutes of the student’s request. If the request is taking longer, it could be due to a poor Internet connection.

Once the alternate file is available, the student will be prompted to either (1) download the new file or (2) open it in a new browser tab (See Fig. 3).

Figure 3: Downloading or opening the file

If alternate formats are not available for the student to request

Although access to alternate formats should be enabled by default, in some cases, the instructor will have to enable it. 

If a student informs you that alternate formats are not available in your course, go to UDOIT. Select the orange exclamation point next to Scan Now and you will see a message that access to alternate formats is disabled (See Figs. 4 and 5).
Enable alternate formats by selecting the checkbox for Enable students to access existing alternate formats in Course Settings (See Figs. 4 & 6).

Figure 4: Indicator for student access and access to Course Settings.

Figure 5: Notice that students are not able to access or request alternate file formats

Figure 6: Enabling students to access existing alternate formats