Teaching and Learning

at Conestoga

2 mins 26 secs

Adding Alt Text and Citations to Images in Classroom Materials

Learn more about licensed image databases, how to add alt-text and how to cite according to copyright.

Best Practices

Each image you use should be cited where it appears and in the References List.
To help you in bringing images and diagrams into your presentations, Conestoga's Library Resource Centre hosts numerous rights-cleared databases for you to search.

Using diagrams, graphs and relevant diagrams can be a great help for many visual learners. However, it is not generally recommended to use images as decoration in your classroom material. These can have the effect of distracting from, rather than enhancing, your message.

You can also always use resources like browser based image searches, but be aware of your responsibilities to copyright law. Learn about copyright and your responsibilities by completing the Copyright Training for Faculty and Staff in eConestoga.

Adding Alt Text to an Image

Image depicts process as described in this section.

"Adding Alt Text to Images" created by Jesslyn Wilkinson, March 20th, 2018.

Alt-text must be included on each image. In your finished PowerPoint presentation or Word document, follow the below steps.

  1. Go to your first image and right-click on it.
  2. From the menu, choose Format Picture.
  3. A sidebar will open to the right of the software, titled Format Picture. Choose the Sizes and Properties icon. (Hover your mouse over the icon picture to determine its name.)
  4. Choose Alt Text.
  5. Add a title appropriate to the image.
  6. Either duplicate the title in the Description box, or add supplemental information to describe the image.

If your image is a graph, you will need to explain the results the graph reflects, succinctly. If the image is a picture, add context to the title. Typically, alt text does not need to be more than a few words, unless the image requires a more in-depth description.

Complete your AODA compliance by running the Accessibility Checker on your PowerPoint or Word Document. Resolve any Errors or Warnings to make your material is fully accessible to all students.

Citing Images

When citing images, APA @ Conestoga recommends citing them like figures, and then including the citation below the image in the presentation. You can decrease the font size, if the citation takes up too much space. In your References List, include a full reference to the image.

Creative Commons Images

To cite Creative Commons-licensed images, like Flickr Creative Commons or WikiMedia Commons, use the Wiki Commons Best Practices for Attribution as a guideline. Adapt to suit your discipline as needed, and try to be consistent in your approach.

Images from Google or another Search Engine

To cite an image from browser based image searches, ensure as best you can that the image source is from the image creator, as per your responsibilities to copyright law.

If you feel confident you have assured the source of the image, use the APA @ Conestoga citation style for Figures as a guideline. Adapt to suit your discipline as needed, and try to be consistent in your approach.