Virtual Testing Accommodations During Remote Learning

 

INFORMATION FOR DSS STUDENTS

In response to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, DSS test proctoring services and facilities remain closed until further notice.  Just as faculty and students are interacting remotely, DSS staff  are also working remotely at this time. 

During this period of remote operations, DSS is unable to provide a physical or virtual environment to proctor the thousands of campus-wide exams, as is typically done on campus with access to testing facilities, equipment, security, and with the support of adequate proctoring staff.

Despite these changes, DSS maintains its commitment to assisting CSUF students with disabilities in obtaining the most equitable educational experience it can, and assisting CSUF faculty to deliver an equitable educational experience. 

Testing Accommodation Support

David R. Guzmán

Exam Proctoring Program Coordinator

Email: dsstesting@fullerton.edu 

Hours of Support:                   

Monday - Friday                             

8:00am - 5:00pm 

Student Guidelines for Testing Accommodations and Virtual Test-Taking

Although DSS remains physically closed for in-person test proctoring, testing accommodations may still be requested and utilized for online virtual courses.  In order to do so, students will need to ensure that their accommodations have been activated and Course Accessibility Letters have been electronically sent to their instructors through TITANableOpens in new window .

Keep in mind that exam formats for course exams will likely vary from class to class.  Students are therefore strongly encouraged to consult with their instructors early in the course to confirm whether course exams will:

  1. Be administered for the course?  Some courses may not have exams and instead could require alternative methods of assessment (i.e. written assignments, essays, non-timed exams, projects, group work, etc.) where providing certain testing accommodations, such as extended time, may no longer be applicable.  Therefore, be sure to review course syllabi and confirm with each instructor.
  2. Be timed?  If so, how much time will the class be allotted for each exam, and how long will exams be available or 'open' to take, if online on Canvas?
  3. Be proctored?  If so, how will exams be proctored? (i.e. via Zoom, Proctorio, or other)  Collaborate with instructors to determine appropriate start or end times if your extended time accommodation may be impacted by other time conflicts.

For timed and/or proctored exams (via Zoom or Proctorio)

 
3-5 Days Before an Exam:
  •  Send the instructor a courtesy email to remind them about your testing accommodations and to address any important details with ample time before the exam. DSS encourages students to check with their instructors to confirm exam details such as:
    • What will the exam/quiz consist of?
    • How will it be proctored for the class?
    • What is the window of time students will be able to access the exam?
    • What will the duration of the exam be for the entire class?

* This is important so students can verify if their exam time has been extended for them for the day of the exam. To learn how to email and remind instructors to extend your time on exams watch our YouTube TutorialOpens in new window  that teaches how to do so.

On the Day of an Exam:
  • Check your 'time limit' and available details on Canvas BEFORE attempting the exam to make sure the time has been extended properly.  Extra time will not be displayed separately, rather it will be added to the total amount of time for the exam.
  • Example: if your class gets 60 minutes for the exam, but you have been approved for time and a half (1.5x) extended time, your 'Time Limit' should read 90 minutes. 
  • Additionally, make sure that the 'Available' time window will accommodate your extended time.
  • Example: if a 90 minute exam is made available only from 8:00am to 9:00am (60 minutes) for the class, then it will not accommodate the required 90 minutes with extended time you would need to complete the exam. 
  • Lastly, if an exam is made 'Available' over a number of consecutive days, make sure you begin the exam with enough time to complete it with your extended time in mind, before the cutoff date/time.

Important: If the 'Time Limit' does not include extended time, or the 'Available' window is less than your total test time DO NOT START ON THE EXAM.  Take a screen shot or picture and email it to your instructor IMMEDIATELY and  be sure to include dsstesting@fullerton.edu in the email. 

Regarding Extended Time

Instructors are able to extend testing time on Canvas, for timed exams that are administered through this online learning management system. 

They can do so by visiting the link below and following the step-by-step instructions:

In situations where instructors are not using Canvas and administer timed exams differently through Zoom or asynchronously, extended time is still expected to be provided for students with this testing accommodation.

Please consult and work with your instructor(s) to determine a feasible start time for your exam and to plan out with them logistics to ensure the delivery of your extended time accommodation.

Extended Time Calculator

Download this DSS-produced tool to assist with calculating your extended time accommodation based on how long your class receives for an exam.

Download the Extended Time Calculator

Regarding Proctorio

Proctorio is an online, remote test proctoring tool and Google Chrome extension. Proctorio works with Canvas exams/quizzes.  Google Chrome is the required web browser in order to run and operate Proctorio.

Please visit the CSUF Information Technology webpage to ensure you meet all the requirements for a successful Proctorio exam and to learn more.  Below are also FAQs regarding Proctorio and DSS testing accommodations. 

ProctorioOpens in new window : CSUF Division of Information Technology

Proctorio FAQs for DSS StudentsPDF File Opens in new window

Accessible Technology for Exams

 Kurzweil Read the Web Google Chrome Extension (For Kurzweil 3000 Testing Accommodation)

To utilize their Kurzweil 3000 accommodation for online exams on Canvas (and other online content) students can use the Kurzweil Read the Web extensionOpens in new window  in the Google Chrome web browser using their CSUF Kurzweil 3000 username and password. 

Using Read the Web students can use Kurzweil's text to speech functions when reading online and can listen to online content read aloud. To learn how to install and use the Read the Web extension students may view this video tutorialOpens in new window or follow the steps below.

 Adding Kurzweil Read the Web Extension:

  • Open Google Chrome web browser
  • Go to the Chrome Web StoreOpens in new window
  • Search for "Kurzweil"
  • Select "Read the Web"
  • Once installed, go to any website.  A pop-up will appear on the screen asking for your Kurzweil 3000 login.  Use your CSUF Kurzweil login. Once logged in, a set of controls will appear at the top of the webpage and you will be able to begin using Read the Web. 

For questions or concerns on Read the Web, please contact the Accessible Technology team at dssaccess@fullerton.edu


Screen Readers

Students can use their screen reader of choice to navigate their online exams.

For students who do not already have a screen reader installed on their computer device, they may consider downloading the following screen reading options free of cost:


Screen Magnification

Depending on the type of magnification needed there are a few ways to approach this:

  1. Use a screen magnifier such as, ZoomTextOpens in new window (free of cost for currently enrolled CSUF students).
  2. Use the font size feature in the desired web browser. 
  3. Use the magnification/zoom feature in the desired web browser.