Faculty FAQs

What constitutes a ‘timed assessment’ and/or a ‘timed online assessment’?

A timed assessment is a regular sit-down-style test, quiz, midterm or final exam. It has a formal start time and set duration.

A timed online assessment is a timed assessment that is written online (via cuLearn).

Does shifting a test from an in-person to an online environment impact the need for accommodations, or the types of accommodations that may be required?

It can, but not always.

The functional limitations associated with a disability that require the use of the extra time accommodation are present regardless of how the test is administered. Accommodations related to a student’s exam schedule should also be applied to all timed online assessments.

Other accommodations associated with the test environment may no longer be applicable. For example, if a student  would normally write tests in a private room in the McIntyre Exam Centre, the accommodation doesn’t really fit in the online environment as the student has complete control over where they write their test/exam.

Some courses are using a slightly different approach to timed assessments. Although they employ a set duration, they are made available to a student over a range of hours or even days.

EDC provides information about the different types of exams on their Course Design: Assessment webpage.

For example, students may be allowed to start their final exam at any point over a range of say, 3 days, but once they start they must complete the exam within 3 hours. In cases like this, extra time accommodations are still applicable but exam schedule accommodations are not because the student has control over when they attempt their exam.

What are the most common ‘test accommodations’?

Accommodations for timed assessments make up the single largest group of accommodations that PMC coordinators prescribe. This is because many different disabilities may impact student performance on timed assessments.

The two most common accommodations associated with timed assessments (test accommodations) are extra time and a quiet location to write the test.

In some cases there may also be accommodations regarding a student’s exam schedule. Some student may not be able to write at specific times of the day or may be limited to writing only one exam per day due to disability-related reasons.

Are extra time accommodations required for take-home exams?

Generally, extra time accommodations are not required for take-home exams.

The functional limitations which impact a student’s performance during a set 3-hour exam do not have the same impact on the student’s ability to work on a test or assignment for which they have multiple days, or weeks, to complete. With take-home exams, the ability to plan one’s work effectively has a far greater impact on a student’s performance.

With that said, the amount of work expected from students and the amount of time provided may raise the need for accommodations. For example, if the take-home exam is due 12 hours after it has been released to students and it is designed to take the average student 8 hours to complete then there may be a need for extra time accommodations on a case-by-case basis. In situations like this, a quick email to a PMC Coordinator may be needed to clarify whether or not an individual student may need extra time.

Are extra time accommodations required for quizzes?

Yes, extra time accommodations should be applied to quizzes.

The PMC understands that this can add a lot of work to faculty who plan to hold numerous quizzes over the course of the term, especially in large classes containing many students with accommodations. In situations like this, it may be useful to employ a principle from Universal Instructional Design and give the entire class extra time. If you think this may work well for your class, please let students know that the quiz is designed to take X minutes but you are giving the entire class extra time to complete it.

Why do students require notetaking support if all of my lectures are pre-recorded?

The PMC offers two types of notetaking services.

One is offered exclusively for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and the notetakers are hired to transcribe what is being spoken in class so that the students can fill in any gaps which they missed in the conversation.

The second service, which is much more commonly used, is our Volunteer Notetaking Program. This service supports students with a wide range of disabilities, from physical disabilities, which may hinder the student’s ability to take notes, to students with learning disabilities. Though access to this service certainly supports students in their classes, for many it is also intended to assist in their development as a learner. To compare and contrast their own notes with those of another individual who is absorbing the course content through their own eyes and ears, can be a very valuable learning experience.

How do I add extra time to my online quizzes/tests?

For helpful resources on this process, visit the Transitioning to Online Teaching and Exam Support for Instructors webpages.