Modalitiestags

Modalitiestags are metadata labels attached to digital assets to denote the modalities through which content is experienced or conveyed, such as visual, auditory, textual, tactile, or multisensory. The concept covers delivery channels, interaction modes, and sensory experiences and is used across media libraries, e-learning platforms, and data catalogs. Because modality can affect accessibility and user engagement, precise tagging can improve discovery and accommodation.

They support search and filtering by allowing users to find resources that match a preferred modality, enhance accessibility by signaling which assistive features apply, and aid content governance by informing design decisions and audience targeting. Modalitiestags can be applied by content creators, curators, or automated analysis tools, enabling consistent descriptions across a collection.

Implementation typically occurs within existing metadata frameworks, such as JSON-LD, XML, or RDF. Modalitiestags rely on a controlled vocabulary or taxonomy, with common entries like "visual," "auditory," "textual," "tactile," "multisensory," and "interactive." A resource may carry multiple tags, with qualifiers for primary modality, confidence levels, language, or contextual notes.

Interoperability and standards: modalitiestags are not universally standardized under a single global vocabulary, but they intersect with accessibility tagging (for example captions or audio description), learning resources metadata, and multimedia metadata standards (such as MPEG-7). Best practices emphasize keeping vocabulary small and stable, clearly labeling the primary modality, avoiding ambiguity, and documenting tagging policies to support consistent use across platforms.