Specific Accommodations
Together with the student, the Adapted Services Counsellor will look at what reasonable and justifiable accommodations can be put in place based on their documentation in order to minimize potential barriers. They usually know what works for them. Students are encouraged to speak with professors early in the semester in regards to their specific accommodations. These are some examples of the accommodations that may given to your students.
In Class Accommodations
Copies of PowerPoints, classroom notes or handouts ahead of lectures
We may request that copies of PPs be provided in advance of lectures. Accessing presentation material ahead of time can be very helpful for students who have difficulties with information processing. Teachers who regularly post lecture slides or notes on the learning management systems give every student the advantage of having access to this information ahead of lectures. For those who prefer not to do this, the note on the accommodation letter takes the form of a request, because it is at the teacher’s discretion.
Use of a laptop or tablet for note-taking
Students who have the use a laptop or tablet as an accommodation for note-taking need to use the device for a variety of reasons connected to their specific learning needs, or medical conditions. For example, they may have a specific disorder called dysgraphia (impaired handwriting) and having typewritten notes makes it possible to read and study the material later on. For students with processing deficits, typing class notes can makes it easier to re-organize them later on. For students who are highly distractible, the use of a device for note-taking can help to improve focus on the task. For student who have mobility restrictions, e.g. arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome, it may be easier to type than hold a pen. When you see the use of a laptop or device on the accommodation letter, this means that it a reasonable accommodation put in place to palliate for a specific condition or learning need.
Allow for misspelling without penalization when computer or adapted software are not available
Coming soon!
Note-taking
Coming soon!
Test and Exam Accommodations
For tests and exams, the most common accommodation that you will see is a reference to is the need for extended time for tests and exams, use of computer, and use of assistive technologies. In order for students to access these accommodations, they sign up to write their tests and exams in our Centre.
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/student-accessability/test-and-exam-accommodations/
Computer with or without spellcheck
Coming soon!
Accessible PDF
Coming soon!
Antidote
Coming soon!
Alternative testing format
Coming soon!
Teacher-approved memory aid
Teacher-approved memory aids can be a necessary accommodation for students with documented deficits in memory function. The nature of these limitations will vary from individual to individual and can affect the capacity to:
- hold new information temporarily in working memory, e.g. being able to remember words previously read in order to make sense of an entire sentence or paragraph,
- to retain and manipulate information in short-term memory, and
- to retrieve information in long-term memory.
Teacher-approved memory aids for use in college level courses are generally restricted to definitions, formulas, or in the case of subject courses in history, dates and events. Memory aids are prepared by the student, following teacher-specified guidelines and with prior, signed approval from teachers.
Memory aids give students with specific deficits in memory an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in a testing situation by lessening the impact of their disability. This accommodation is not intended to reduce academic requirements or alter the standards by which academic performance is assessed. The memory aid accommodation will be indicated on the Accommodation Letter.
To summarize, a memory aid is typically a piece of paper that:
- can be handwritten or typed,
- can include diagrams, mind maps, general formulas, acronyms, pictures, etc.,
- Can be organized chronologically, or by module or chapter,
- Only makes sense to the person who created it and will use it,
- Includes only the information that the user cannot remember.
A memory aid is not meant to record all the facts, concepts or processes being tested. This means that a memory aid should not:
- exceed one page;
- include specific examples of how formulas are used;
- include complete terms and definitions ;
- include all information from the course;
- be a replacement for studying – a memory aid will not help you if you have not studied the material
- include specific examples of how formulas are used (unless specific examples are allowed by the teacher).
Only the mutually agreed upon memory aid will be allowed in the test. This means a student cannot bring other course materials into the test.
