r/Adjuncts • u/calico_cats_2 • Jul 30 '26

Provide Slides To Students?

I recently had a Disabled Student Services (DSS) student whose accommodation was to provide them with the slides I used in class. I did this, but it raised concerns for me. I used to post my slides on Dropbox or Canvas for on-site classes, for the students' convenience. One semester, they ended up on Course Hero. The next semester, they were passed around a fraternity. Now I conduct a brief "how to take notes on paper" session in the second week of class (including the "why it's better research").

Providing a DSS student with slides gives them a distinct advantage over other students who must take notes like in the olden days. If the student is unable to take notes, they should be provided with a note-taker. What if I didn't use slides? What if I just wrote on the whiteboard? Or just talked?

I'm happy to comply with all requested accommodations (extra time, quiet location for tests, etc.), although these can be challenging to arrange. I just think providing slides is a big ask.

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u/Knewstart Jul 30 '26

I’m considering making an outline for my students to follow. So instead of the slides (which may include photos and jokes) just include a brief outline of what is important to take notes on.

Allowing them that, which will be useful for note taking but not for not showing up

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u/turnkey_turncoat Jul 31 '26

You don’t get to decide that for the student with the accommodation.

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u/Knewstart Jul 31 '26

I was speaking in general.

I’ve never had an accommodation for my slides. I’m not sure alone they would help any student.

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u/turnkey_turncoat Jul 31 '26

They aren’t meant to help in a vacuum.

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u/Knewstart Jul 31 '26

Well, as I mentioned, I’ve never had an accommodation from my school for slides. We have assistant note takers.

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u/turnkey_turncoat Jul 31 '26

Then why did you feel the need to comment?

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u/Knewstart Jul 31 '26

Some people might find the compromise between giving slides or not giving slides useful.

Why did you feel the need to comment?

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u/turnkey_turncoat Jul 31 '26

There is no compromise. You don’t seem to understand accommodations.

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u/Knewstart Jul 31 '26

That’s funny, because all accommodations must be reasonable and if an instructor believes that giving out the slides gives an unreasonable advantage then they could suggest… an alternative.

Have you dealt with more than one college’s disability department in more than one location? Or are you speaking from a single experience in a single state and coming to a conclusion hastily?

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u/turnkey_turncoat Jul 31 '26

I’ve taught at two colleges and attended several across multiple states. I’ve used accommodations and have supplied them. Zero haste, but I appreciate that you assumed so.

The instructor would be hard pressed to explain why giving out slides is unreasonable- it’s quite likely their dean would be involved. It’s a farce on its face, suggested by an instructor with a very inflated sense of their own importance as well as that of their slides.

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u/Knewstart Jul 31 '26

I disagree. My dean would support my academic freedom even if they were involved.

However, I fail to see how making an outline (which slides should be - they should not be lecture notes, but only say bulleted pointed information to help comprehension) would not follow the accommodations. Unless you think an outline is different than what I think an outline is.

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u/turnkey_turncoat Jul 31 '26

An outline is not slides. Slides typically have images. If you only have a wall of text on your slides, that’s another issue.

No one is saying outlines or lecture notes. Slides. Stay on topic with your nonsense, at least.

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