Using Images in Online Pages

The ability to use images and create beautiful online content is exciting to many instructors.

Start with compliance

Images can be added to HTML pages, such as the pages used in the Blackboard LMS, or to online versions of MS Word documents and other file types. No matter what file type you add images to, you need to be sure to follow copyright laws and meet accessibility standards.

Usage rights

If you do not own the image you intend to use, you should acquire written permission to use the image. Acquiring permission can be difficult. So we recommend using images that allow you to re-use or edit the image how you see fit. Search for images with a Creative Commons license or other clear notice about permissions. If there is no such notice, assume the image is copyrighted and is not free to download, publish, distribute, edit, or re-use. You can fine-tune image searches on search engines such as Google to limit your results to only files with usage rights. You can also search on websites that provide free-to-use images. These images often require attribution of the image creator or source. Be sure to check the permissions for any files you use. Here are a few such sites:

• Pixabay
• Freepik
• Pexels
• Unsplash (for large photographs of cityscapes, landscapes, etc.)

Accessibility

Any image that is used to enhance learning or convey instructional content must meet accessibility standards. For example, if you include an image of a building and instruct students to refer to the image as an example of architectural features, the image is being used for instructional content.

But don't let this steer you away from using images in your lessons! The instructional designers in Online Learning can help you make your online images accessible.

One particular type of image that can be hard to make accessible, however, is one in which there is much text and diagramming of ideas. In these cases, in particular, be sure to ask for assistance from either the Accessible Education Services or one of the instructional designers in Online Learning.

How to Add an Image in Blackboard

The steps below are meant as general guidance for the respective systems and may not include all potential scenarios.

First Step: Use File Naming Conventions to correctly name your image file

If you are using any version of the MHCC accessible course template, the easiest way to add an image is through the browser-based editor.

1. Navigate to the page where you want to add the image.
2. Launch the page content editor.
3. Place your cursor where you want the image to appear.
4. Click the Add Content to open the Add Content pop-up page.
5. Click Insert Course Files
6. Hover over the Upload tab at top, then click Upload Files. If your image file is already uploaded into Blackboard, skip to Step 10.
7. On the following page, click Browse Local Files. This will open a window in which you can select the image file from your local drive to upload into Blackboard.
8. Click Submit to perform the upload.
9. You will be returned to the Browse Content Collection window, with the newly uploaded image file now in your files.
10. Click the checkbox to the left of the image file you want to insert into the page.
11. Click Submit.
12. The image will now appear on your page. Right click on the image (CTRL+click for Mac users), then click Image... from the menu that appears.
13. REQUIRED: In the Alternative description box, provide appropriate "alt text" for your image.
    Learn more about alternative text for images.
14. Resize your image, if necessary, by adjusting the Width and/or Height. If the padlock icon shows a locked padlock, this means the proportions are locked. So you can adjust ONE dimension and the other will be automatically, proportionately adjusted. The padlock icon can be clicked to toggle locked proportions on or off.
15. Click Save to apply your changes.

How to Add Images in Microsoft Office products

• Insert pictures -- applies to various versions of Microsoft Office tools (launches in new window)
• Add alternative text -- applies to various situations (launches in new window)

---