TRIG Course- Alma College Winter 2015

As mentioned in Module 4: Diverse Learners, free online assessment platforms are not easily adaptable for all of our diverse learners.  As educators, we have to extend our practices to meet the accessibility needs for successful learning and assessment.

You will be able to use the features listed below based on the built-in tech of the device or products purchased for you and your students.

Features available on testing device:

• Audio Amplification - When accessing items that have audio, the student raises or lowers the volume control, as needed, using headphones.  Students may be tested in a separate setting if unable to wear headphones.
• Background/Font Color (Color Contrast) - The student has the ability to change the onscreen background and/or font color based on need or preference.
• Enlarged Text - The student has the ability to magnify the entire screen or portions of the text with built in software.
• Closed-Captioning of Multimedia Passages or Simulations - The student may need to be able to read the multimedia or simulation options.  Select multimedia that has the cc feature built in or where you are able to create the cc.

Others features will be available because the online platform was specifically built with those features in mind (examples of this can be found in the SBAC testing platform and outlined at the link here). 

• Answer Masking -  This practice allows the student to cover up answers that they can eliminate as the correct answer.  It may require you to print the assessment so that students have shade out or cover up.  Some online tools may allow students to highlight answers with a dark color as a masking technique.
• Text-to-Speech/Read Aloud - Text is read aloud to the student using embedded text-to-speech software or have an assistant to read the problem aloud to the student.
• Paper-and-Pencil Edition - It may be necessary to have a printed version available to students based on accommodations.
• Scribing/Speech-to-Text for Student Responses - The student may need an assistant to input responses into the online assessment.  Students may need to be in a separate testing environment.
• Word-to-Word Dictionary/Glossary - The student may be able to view definitions of preselected, construct-irrelevant words by selecting a hyperlink onscreen via a pop-up text box.
• NotePad - The student writes or edits notes using embedded NotePad application.

It is suggested that whenever you are working with students that have an IEP or 504 Plan, work closely with their assigned special education teacher so that together you can devise a plan to best meet the needs of the students for full participation in your online assessment activities.