Recognize the difference between semantic and formatted headings. A formatted heading involves text that is a larger size than the body text, but that was not created using tags (e.g. the Heading feature in Microsoft Word). While visual learners can scan the page for larger text , users who rely on a screen reader are not able to see these elements, so using semantically “tagged” headings is critical. An example of a semantically tagged heading is one created with the heading feature in Word or by selecting a heading from the format tool in a learning management system.
What is proper heading structure? In most word processing applications (Word, Open Office, Google Docs, etc.) the top-level heading is called Heading 1. Think of Heading 1 as a page title. There should be only one top level heading on each page (or section for HTML pages written in HTML 5). A subheading of Heading 1 is Heading 2 and a subheading of Heading 2 is Heading 3, etc., down to Heading 6. The language used in Blackboard is a little different, but the concept is the same.
Add headings in the Blackboard Content Editor:
- In the content editor, highlight the desired text.
- Select the proper heading level from the formatting selector (e.g. Heading for top-level heading; Sub Heading 1 for a subheading of the top-level heading, etc.).
Here is an example of the heading structure in the Blackboard content editor:
Dog Breeds (Heading)
- Big Dogs (Sub Heading 1)
- Great Dane (Sub Heading 2)
- Great Pyrenees (Sub Heading 2)
- Small Dogs (Sub Heading 1)
- Boston Terrier (Sub Heading 2)
- Pug (Sub Heading 2)
Add headings in MS Word:
- Select the Home tab.
- Highlight the text to be linked.
- Select the appropriate heading selector in the styles panel (e.g. Heading 1 for top-level heading).
Here is an example of the heading structure in MS Word:
Dog Breeds (Heading 1)
- Big Dogs (Heading 2)
- Great Dane (Heading 3)
- Great Pyrenees (Heading 3)
- Small Dogs (Heading 2)
Below is a graphic illustrating the top-level heading and two levels of sub headings in Microsoft Word and in the Blackboard content editor.
Note: For those of you who are interested in the underlying HTML code, since Blackboard consists of several parts on each page, the top-level heading in the content editor is actually a Heading 4 tag <h4>, with the two levels of sub headings being Heading 5 <h5> and Heading 6 <h6>.
Always use the proper level of heading. If you do not, learners who use screen readers will become confused and unable to easily browse the document. Do not select a heading because you like how it looks; Word and other word processing applications allow you to customize styles to achieve the visual effect you would like without compromising proper header nesting:
- Learn how to change styles in MS Word 2013 (text, video, practice documents)
- Learn how to change a styleset in MS Word 2010 (text, video).
- See Accessibility Cheatsheets from The National Center on Disability and Access to Education