Implementing Testing Accommodations in an Online Class

• Extended Time: 1.5X or 2X
  • Blackboard Original
    • Blackboard Original requires instructors to ‘add users or group’  you wish to create exceptions for under ‘test availability exceptions‘. Instructors can find the ‘test availability exceptions’ section by accessing the ‘test option page‘. This allows instructors to make special exceptions to the time limit or test availability for students who need additional time, or need to take a makeup exam.
  • Blackboard Ultra
    • Designating a time accommodation (1.5X, 2X, Unlimited) through the Roster page will apply the set accommodation to all quizzes and exams.
    • Blackboard Ultra Extended Time Instructional Video
• Resumable Exams or Timed Breaks
  • For timed breaks, you may also manually add up the allowed break minutes per hour to the overall testing time.
  • Please keep in mind that there are also alternate options to timed exams for a shift towards universally designing your course content.
• Additional Attempts
  • Blackboard Original
  • Blackboard Ultra
• Creating Accessible Exams for JAWS Screenreader users
• Options for Presenting Questions in Tests

Lockdown Browser is compatible with JAWS and NVDA screen reader software, but may present issues for students who test with software such as Kurzweil 3000 reader. DRC will work with students and instructors one on one to ensure security and accessibility.

• Instructor’s Guide on Flagged Content
  • Please remember to check in with students that receive accommodations, those with timed breaks in particular, about how these accommodations will be implemented while using Respondus Monitor. Any time away from the computer will be flagged so you must make note of the agreement that you have with each student as those with this accommodation should not be penalized for utilizing their timed break.
• Best Practices and Guides for Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor

Accommodations and Accessibility Options

• Extended Time: 1.5X or 2X
  • For students that also require timed breaks per hour additional to extended time, please contact the DRC testing team for guidance at accesstesting@uic.edu.
• For students that require additional accessible technology such as Kurzweil or a Screen Reader, you may need to enable access to other applications.
• Enabling Spell Check may help students with written essay questions.

DRC testing will not be available due to the DRC office continuing to function remotely for the Fall 2020 semester.

However, the DRC team is still here to support you. Please reach out the DRC Testing Coordinators at accesstesting@uic.edu for any questions or concerns related to testing accommodations.

Unfortunately, we cannot virtually proctor exams while maintaining the confidentiality of each student. In addition, we do not have the bandwidth or staff to proctor exams of all courses via webcam as we currently have many students with approved testing accommodations.

Other resources such as LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor may be used in place of in-person proctoring. Please see the corresponding section above for more information.

The ACCC created a list of other options in place of timed exams for instructors when building their courses online. Click the link below for useful tips including alternatives to timed testing.

• ACCC Tests and Quizzes

We understand that it may be more difficult to ensure that academic integrity is upheld in this new format. One way to combat academic dishonesty is to have students acknowledge a set of rules laid out about academic integrity such as the example below.

I, (student’s full name), solemnly certify that I strictly observe the honor system in completing this examination. Henceforth, during the exam, I: (1) do not have any cell phones, tablets or communication devices on me; (2) will not consult the book or lecture notes or any other course-related materials (either printed or online) unless permitted to do so; (3) will not look at another fellow student’s work with any portion of the solutions; (4) have not received,  have not given, nor will give or receive, any assistance to another student taking this exam. This includes discussing the exam with students in my section or another section of the course,  during or after I have taken an exam. I understand that if done so, my actions may result in academic consequences.

This statement can be acknowledged by students prior to beginning exams (eg. By clicking “Begin Exam”, I acknowledge the statement above).

Check out the link below for ACCC’s strategies on promoting academic integrity.

• ACCC Answers for Academic Integrity in Online Testing