ServiceNow

This is an initiative that will replace the existing processes and technology supporting Accommodated Tests and Exams on the St. George campus. For instructors, the current email based process for submitting test details and documents will be replaced with an online module on the Course Information System; students will use ACORN to submit requests, and the central team coordinating the test writings will have a new system to support them.

We anticipate a full roll-out of the instructor module to all divisions on the St George campus during the Fall 2020 session. Roll-outs for the student and administrative modules will follow in the Winter 2021 session.

Reference material: Project website

Implementation of a Faculty Portal for Accommodated Tests and Exams

The number of students registering with Accessibility Services and writing tests and exams with accommodations has increased significantly over the past five years. This is representative of a national trend. Communication between faculty members and the Accommodated Test and Exam Centre is key in ensuring the academic integrity of the assessment process, and that students write with their required accommodations.

Following consultation with a cross section of students, instructors, staff and senior leadership, Accommodated Testing Services (ATS) is partnering with the Next Generation Student Information Services (NGSIS) team within Information Technology Services, to bring accommodated tests and exams services to the next level, implementing new processes and technology to support a growing need at the University. In order to more effectively manage their communication with faculty members, the first phase of the project is focused on developing a faculty portal within the Course Information System. Other universities have found that the development of a faculty portal increased efficiency and ease for both faculty members and the Test and Exam Centre.

This new system will allow faculty members to view all the accommodated tests and exam requests in one central location, allow for a secure electronic uploading of tests and reduce the number of emails asking for repetitive information. It is anticipated that this new approach will provide a more effective mechanism for communication and the provision of academic accommodations within the academic integrity guidelines. Subsequent phases of the project will focus on improving student and staff experiences.

For more information about the project, please visit: https://easi.its.utoronto.ca/projects/accommodated-tests-and-exams/

Section B: Scope of Documentation

This document addresses the Fall 2020 release of the “Accommodations” area within CIS for the St. George campus. It will outline a demonstration to illustrate how to use ATS Instructor module in the CIS (Course Information System.

Stakeholder Walkthrough: Accommodated Assessments Overview

Log into CIS with your own UTORid and password. You will see this page when you log in.
Click the “Needs Submitting” status.
This will bring you to the first step of the accommodated assessment submission flow.

Step 1: Assessment Confirmation & Scheduling

Select “Yes” to indicate that the date provided by the student is correct.
(Optional) Import details from a previously submitted assessment.
If the assessment is being completed online, select “Yes”.
Fill out the assessment dates, times, duration, and additional scheduling details for this assessment.
Click Save & Continue to progress to the next step.

Step 2: Assessment Details

Fill out the details and timing information surrounding aids, scantrons and audiovisual components that will be used for the assessment.

Click Save & Continue to progress to the next step.

Step 3: Contact Information & Details Submission

Add at least one set of contact information (name, email and phone number) so that someone can be reached during the assessment. Note in the screenshot ‘Me’ is a placeholder for the instructor or contact name which needs to be entered or selected from the dropdown list.
Click “Submit Details to ATS”, then click Save & Continue to progress to the next step

Step 4: File(s)

(Optional) If a file is needed for this assessment, upload a file and complete the printing Instructions.
(Optional) If a URL is needed, include it in the “Add Video URL” field.

Click Save & Continue to progress to the next step.

Step 5: Summary & Submission

If a file was uploaded, ensure the file you uploaded has the correct name and click “Submit to ATS”.
You may return to the dashboard after submitting and check the status of your submissions and submit other assessments.

-End Flow-

Accommodated Assessment Rejection

Sometimes students may make requests which for any number of reasons are not valid. Some reasons could include:

The test has been rescheduled or cancelled
It appears this request is for the wrong course or section
The assessment has been replaced by a different format of assessment

In such cases, instructors can either opt to correct the dates provided by the student or reject the request.

Assessment Date Correction

When responding to “Is there an upcoming assessment that may relate to this request?”, select “Yes” to correct the date and complete the remainder of the form.
(Optional) Import details from a previously submitted assessment.

Assessment Rejection

To reject an assessment, select “No upcoming assessment.”
Provide an explanation so that ATS may inform and follow-up with the requesting student(s).

-End Flow-

Accommodated Assessment Online Overview

Select the type of online assessment.
If it is one of three Quercus assessment types (Quiz, Assignment, ProctorU), you will be prompted for consent for ATS staff to apply the accommodations.
Specify if the online assessment is being completed in person or exclusively online.
For exclusively online assessments, there are three timing types:

Strict Timing

Select the first option if this assessment is being completed synchronously by the class.

Fixed Timing

Select the second option if this assessment is being completed asynchronously by the class, but a maximum time is allocated for completion.

Flexible Timing

Select the third option if this assessment is being completed asynchronously by the class and students must submit by the given date and time.

-End Flow-