Unlocking the Full Potential of Canvas for Academic Testing
At Portland State University, we are committed to providing an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all our students. This commitment extends to the ways in which we administer exams. By leveraging the Canvas Learning Management System, we can significantly enhance exam accessibility, meet a broad range of academic accommodations, and reduce the need for traditional test proctoring.
Why Use Canvas for Your Exams?
- Broad Accessibility: Canvas allows for a variety of accommodations to be seamlessly integrated into the exam format. This includes extended time, alternative formats, and the use of assistive technologies, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
- Flexibility and Convenience: Online exams in Canvas can be accessed by students from any location, offering greater flexibility and reducing the stress associated with in-person testing environments.
- Enhanced Exam Security: Canvas provides options for randomized questions and answers, time-limited access, and other features that maintain academic integrity without the need for traditional proctoring.
- Inclusive Design: By using Canvas, exams can be designed to be more inclusive, taking into account the diverse learning styles and needs of our student body.
How Canvas Benefits All Students
Canvas isn't just about meeting specific accommodations; it's about rethinking how we assess student learning in a way that benefits everyone. By designing exams with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, we create a more equitable learning environment that recognizes and respects the diverse needs of our students.
What You Can Do
Making Exams as Accessible and Inclusive as Possible: What You Can Do
Accessible and inclusive assessment design can have a substantial positive impact on student achievement, regardless of disability. Assessments built in accordance with the Universal Design for Learning framework tend to be the most inclusive for everyone. If you should choose to include timed assessments in your course, please keep the guidance below in mind as you determine the criteria for your quizzes and exams.
- Most accessible/most inclusive: A remote assessment modeled after a traditional take home exam where students can complete the exam over an extended period of time (e.g., 3 days).
- More accessible/more inclusive: A remote assessment designed to be given in a fixed amount of time (e.g., 90 minutes), but students are able to pause and resume at their convenience, completing the assessment over a longer period of time (e.g., 24 hours).
- Less accessible/less inclusive: A remote assessment in which students have a large window for initial access (e.g., 24 hours), but the assessment itself must be completed within a smaller window of time that starts upon initial access (e.g., 90 minutes).
- Least accessible/least inclusive: A timed assessment taken in class (in-person or remote synchronous).
Note: Regardless of approach, accommodations may still be needed for some of your DRC-registered students. Contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to determine how best to support your student.
If you need support adjusting settings in Canvas to allow for extended time accommodations or multiple attempts, refer to the Canvas knowledge base articles on extended time and multiple attempts.
Please also review the Supplemental Information Regarding Testing Accommodations from the DRC for more detailed information on specific testing accommodations.
Need Assistance or Have Questions?
If you need help or have any questions about using Canvas for your exams, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Together, let's make PSU a leader in accessible and inclusive learning assessment!
For questions about specific student accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center (503-725-4150; drc@pdx.edu).
For questions about testing procedures, please contact Academic Testing Services (503-725-4459; TestingServices@pdx.edu).
PSU Academic Testing Services
Hours of operation: Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Email: TestingServices@pdx.edu (this is the best, most efficient way to communicate with us)
Website: https://www.pdx.edu/learning-center/testing-services
Telephone: (503) 725-4459
IMPORTANT: Given that we operate out of multiple locations, in-person visits — including to pick up completed exams — are by appointment only.