Assessment FAQ

ACC has developed an online live proctoring platform designed to accommodate Chromebook users, as well as students with Windows or Mac PCs and laptops. ACC Testing Center personnel will monitor the student live through Google Meet while the student takes the exam.

For all the details and instructions, please go to Testing Guide.

Please contact:

Holly Delacroix-Derouen
Director, Testing
hdelacro@austincc.edu

For all the details and instructions, please go to Testing Guide.

For all the details and instructions, please go to Testing Guide.

Chromebook users: Download and install the Google Meet app

Windows or Mac PC/Laptop users: Log in to Google Meet with your internet browser

Please contact:

Holly Delacroix-Derouen
Director, Testing
hdelacro@austincc.edu

Respondus LockDown Browser is a specialized web browser that secures a student’s computer during an online exam in Blackboard. It prevents students from accessing other browsers/tabs, copying, pasting, taking screen captures, using instant messaging programs, accessing other applications, or accessing other websites (unless configured to allow access to specified external sites).

The Respondus LockDown Browser may be used as a stand-alone testing tool or it may be used with Respondus Monitor to add another level of security to the testing environment. Respondus Monitor records video of the student using their webcam and microphone. It serves as a deterrent to students using secondary computers, phones, calculators, textbooks, or receiving assistance from other students.

Respondus LockDown Browser prevents students from accessing other browsers/tabs, copying, pasting, taking screen captures, using instant messaging programs, accessing other applications, or accessing other websites (unless configured to allow access to specified external sites).

Respondus Monitor adds another layer of security on top of the Respondus LockDown Browser features of recording video of the student using their webcam and microphone. It serves as a deterrent to students using secondary computers, phones, calculators, textbooks, or receiving assistance from other students. Requires students to have a webcam and microphone.

Visit the Respondus tool page to help you get started.

Windows: 10, 8, 7 (note: Windows 10 S version is not compatible)
Mac: OS X 10.10 or higher
iOS: 10.0+ (iPad only)
Web camera (internal or external) & microphone [Respondus Monitor only]
A broadband internet connection

Yes, they are compatible but the correct setting has to be turned on. Visit the Testing Guide.

Additional information is available here:
http://support.respondus.com/support/index.php?/default_import/Knowledgebase/Article/View/186/0/can-an-ipad-be-used-with-lockdown-browser

Please email facultysupport@austincc.edu to request assistance for creating and formatting questions in Respondus.

MAC users can access Respondus via the ACC Faculty Virtual Desktop. The Respondus test bank software is now available on the Faculty Virtual Desktop.

If you have not enabled the Faculty Virtual Desktop, you can do so here. Visit the Teaching & Learning Knowledge Base for how to set up Respondus.

Students must download and install the LockDown Browser on their system. iPad users need to download the LockDown Browser app from the Apple App Store. (ACC-issued iPads will have the Respondus LockDown Browser pre-installed.)

Students must use the LockDown Browser to navigate to the course in Blackboard and access the exam. Inform students not to attempt to start the test through another browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) as the exam will not launch.

Please direct your students to the following page for the link to download the Respondus Lockdown Browser and read a quick start guide:

Respondus Help Pages

Please visit the following links for comprehensive information regarding Respondus/Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor:

• • Testing Guide
  • Teaching & Learning Knowledge Base
  • Respondus Tool page

The Blackboard Ally feature is available in all Blackboard shells to support accessibility of documents online. Ally doesn’t change how anything works in your course, and won’t affect your course files. You’ll notice in your course red, orange, light green, and dark green gauges next to your course files. These are “Ally Indicators” and they let you know the accessibility of the file. The indicators are only visible to instructors in the course. Simply click the indicator to read detailed feedback about what the accessibility issues are with the file, why they matter, and how to fix them.

Ally automatically generates “alternative formats” of your course files, and makes them available to you and your students by clicking the dropdown icon next to the file name. The alternative formats don’t affect your original file and allow students to access an HTML version for their phone, an ePub version for their tablet, an MP3 version for audio, and electronic braille for braille readers.

Blackboard Ally Knowledgebase

• If campus Testing Centers are open, direct students to test at the nearest campus. Please contact SASTest@austincc.edu or your campus SAS office to coordinate testing arrangements including submission and return of test materials. Extension of deadlines may be necessary.
• If all campus Testing Centers are closed, please consider the following options for test administration:
  • Blackboard testing: Students should be able to access Blackboard from home. You may adjust testing time for individual students in order to provide the extended time accommodations. Passwords will need to be provided to students in order to use the screen reading software (Kurzweil, JAWS, ZoomText/Fusion, or enlarged font if you are unable to enlarge yourself).
  • Paper tests: Scan a copy of the test to SASTest@austincc.edu for delivery to the student, or scan directly to the student’s ACC Gmail account.
  • Alternative Format Tests: Faculty should scan a copy of the test to SASTest@austincc.edu for conversion. Students can access the applicable software program from home.
    • Tests that need to be converted to Braille – Unable to produce braille if campuses are closed. Test would need to be postponed.
  • Student needs an Access Assistant: Postpone testing until campuses reopen OR student completes test from home with assistance from non-ACC employee
• If you have any questions regarding testing and accommodations, please contact Dr. Lauren Sebel, Director – Student Accessibility Services at lsebel@austincc.edu.

They will need to access their tests differently. If you are using Respondus Monitor, you will need to set up exams without Respond-us and have your exams password protected or opened for the student at a specific time. Students, in turn, will need to download the Kurzweil Read-the-web extension which SAS will provide for them. If you need help, please email tled@austincc.edu to request assistance.

Please read the Multiple Attempts section on the Blackboard Help page.

For a test with one attempt, you can allow more attempts for a student who is blind and wants to use screen reader technology for the first time.

If the settings exist for a test or survey, you can create these exceptions:

• Number of attempts
• Timer
• Availability: Date and time the test is available to the student or group
• Force completion
• Restrict location

Please use the guides below to help you make your Word and PPT docs accessible:

• PowerPoint Guide (PDF)
• Word Doc Guide (PDF)

If you have additional questions, please email:

Sean Loraas
sloraas@austincc.edu

Meg Kareithi
megan.kareithi@austincc.edu

If a student in your course uses Kurzweil as an accommodation, please find below some useful information about the screen reader Kurzweil 3000 and its Internet browser extension, Kurzweil Read the Web:

• If testing on Blackboard: student can use Kurzweil via read-the-web extension, no password needed.
• If testing on Blackboard with Respondus LockDown: the professor provides student with LockDown password, then student tests using the Read the Web extension.
• If testing on Blackboard with Respondus LockDown *and* Monitor: Kurzweil is incompatible with Monitor. Instead, try using an alternative method for monitoring, such as sharing screens using Google Meet.
• I’m just providing a pdf document: That works! The student will be able to open the pdf within Kurzweil 3000.

To learn more about this topic, please read the following booklet:

The New Accessibility: Students With Disabilities and Access to Technology