PDF or Not to PDF

What format should you choose? 

Should the document you share with your audience remain as a Microsoft Word doc or PDF? Or if you're using Canvas, should the document content be placed into a page?

Microsoft Word, PDF, and Canvas are three authoring platforms that have different capabilities, especially when it comes to creating an accessible document. How we want our audience to interact with the document determines which platform to use -- form follows function. 

It is appropriate to leave a document as a Word Doc if needed. Below are some examples when an accessible Word Doc suffices, and if suitable, some alternatives that leverage the Canvas environment.

If part of the learning objective or intent is how the document is formatted, one may create an accessible Word Doc (assuming Canvas is not the appropriate platform.)

• Syllabus 
• Students need to preview an example of how to format a paper before submitting it.
  • This could be an APA or MLA formatted paper that provides students an example of how this should look like.
  • This could be a student paper example that has essential points or topics organized in a specific way. 
• Or...
  
  • A flyer
  • A letter from an admin to the students 
  • Students need to answer and fill out a straightforward form (only questions and open text answers).

Note if using Canvas: if multiple choice questions and open text entry answers are required, a Canvas Survey may be a more appropriate and accessible format.

PDFs retain the format of a document and can also provide accessible complex navigation seen in forms. The following examples are situations where a PDF would be appropriate or when you would need to determine a different strategy for providing an accessible document:

• If students need to fill out an interactive form, for example, choose multiple choice or multiple checked boxes, consider using Canvas. 

Note if using Canvas: If appropriate, consider using Canvas Quiz or Survey as Canvas creates accessible quizzes and surveys that allow you to do the above and more. 

• Published white paper