Before diving into this topic, let’s start with some terminology:
- Alternative text: text to communicate the content and function of non-text content. This text is not a visible description, but is provided on the backend for someone who is using assistive technology. Non-text examples are photos, graphics, illustrations, and infographics
- Long description: text to communicate the content and function of complex visuals that contain substantial information . Typically a long description is provided near the non-text content.
We should provide alternative text for all images that we use in content. In some cases, when the image is complex, we might need to describe it in more detail. This is when we would add a long description.
You could describe the visual by writing out a description; however, you can also use artificial intelligence (AI) to help you with this task. To use artificial intelligence, upload your image to an AI tool and ask it to provide an alternative text or long description for the image. If you are looking for a tool, Copilot gives you the option of uploading an image from your computer. The AI tool Bard works well with images, as well.
Prompt Example 1: Alternative Text
Prompt:
Upload your image and prompt the AI to provide alternative text for the image.
Provide alternative text for the attached image.
Response:
A color-coded map showing European countries during World War I, indicating alliances as Triple Entente, Central Powers, or Neutral.
Prompt Example 2: Long Description
Prompt:
We uploaded the same map used in the alternative text request above.
Please write a long description for this map that will be used in an undergraduate history course.
Response:
The map you sent me is titled “World History WWI Alliances” and shows Europe during World War I. It depicts the Triple Entente, the Central Powers, and neutral countries during the war.
Triple Entente
The Triple Entente is a military alliance formed in 1907 between the United Kingdom, France, and Russia. The map shows these countries in blue.
- The United Kingdom is an island nation located off the northwest coast of mainland Europe.
- France is located in Western Europe and borders the English Channel to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
- Russia is located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world by land area.
Central Powers
The Central Powers is a military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The map shows these countries in red.
- Germany is located in Central Europe.
- Austria-Hungary was a multinational empire that consisted of Austria and Hungary and their numerous dependencies. It was located in Central Europe.
- Italy is located in Southern Europe, consisting of a boot-shaped peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea.
Neutral Countries
The map also shows neutral countries in yellow. These countries did not participate in World War I. Some of the notable neutral countries include:
- Spain: Located in Southwestern Europe, bordering Portugal to the west and France to the northeast.
- Sweden: Located in Scandinavia.
- Norway: Located in Scandinavia, bordering Sweden to the east and Finland to the northeast.
- Denmark: Located in Scandinavia, bordering Germany to the south.
- Switzerland: Located in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, Austria to the east, Liechtenstein to the east, Italy to the south, and France to the west.
- Netherlands: Located in Western Europe, bordering Germany to the east and Belgium to the south.
Additional Information
The map also includes the following information:
- The date that Romania joined the Triple Entente (1916)
- The date that Italy joined the Triple Entente (1915)
- The date that Bulgaria joined the Central Powers (1915)
- The date that the Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers (1914)
This map can be a useful tool for teaching about World War I and the Triple Entente and Central Powers. It can help students to visualize the countries that were involved in the war and their alliances. It can also be used to discuss the neutrality of some countries and the reasons why they chose not to participate in the war.
Takeaways
Using AI to help you complete these tasks is part of its time-saving appeal. Lean on it in times like these, when you know a long description would greatly increase student understanding, or when images or intense graphics are visually confusing or might not appear in Canvas or via email the way you’d like them to. As we’ve mentioned during this series, crafting strong prompts is helpful to articulate your needs, and in the case of alternative text, allows you additional information (that’s vetted by you) to give your work an extra, and sometimes necessary, boost.
Our next blog will cover how to use AI for student feedback. If you’re curious about how that might work, make sure to subscribe to our blog so you can get it as soon as it’s released.
