The Teaching & Learning Excellence Division (TLED) and the Office of Distance & Alternative Education (ODAE) provide comprehensive support in course design, technology tools for teaching, and other high-impact practices that contribute to our Guided Pathways model at Austin Community College (ACC). We are available for various types of consultations to provide just-in-time assistance and support for your teaching. Review our robust options by visiting:

Teaching Consultations & Support

Creating traditional assessments that focus on recall and memorization of facts can be tempting to use for mobile learning. In fact, in 2020, 51% of ACC faculty reported the need to learn more about online testing for remote teaching. However, alternative assessments such as portfolios, presentations, and more give students a chance to apply higher ordered thinking and are just as well supported by technologies used for mobile learning. Review the resources below to learn more about alternative assessments.

• Curated Links

  Title	Institution	Author	Link
  Bloom’s Taxonomy	Vanderbilt U.	Patricia Armstrong	Access
  Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs)	Valencia College	Angelo and Cross	Access
  Assessing student learning	Indiana U Bloomington	Center Teaching and Learning	Access
  Measuring student learning	Cornell U.	Center Teaching Innovation	Access
  Bloom et al.’s taxonomy of the cognitive domain	Valdosta State U	W. Huitt	Access
  Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives	Yale U.	Graduate Teaching Center	Access
  What are inclusive assessment practices?	Tufts U	Office of Provost	Access
  Creating Sustainable Assessment through Collaboration	National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment	Kara J. Malafant, Karen Brown	Access
  Equity in Assessment	National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment	Erick Montenegro	Access
  Bloom’s taxonomy action verbs	Fresno State U	W. Huitt	Access
  Evaluating students	Stanford U	Teaching Commons	Access
  Equity and Assessment: Moving Towards Culturally Responsive Assessment	National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment	Erick Montenegro, Natasha K. Jankowski	Access
  Focused on What Matters: Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes at Minority-Serving Institutions	National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment	Erick Montenegro, Natasha K. Jankowski	Access
  Alternatives to Traditional Exams and Papers	Indiana U Bloomington	Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning	Access
  Assess teaching and learning	Carnegie Mellon U	Eberly Center	Access

• E-Books

  Title	Date	Author	Permalink
  Assessing Student Learning : A Common Sense Guide	2018	Linda Suskie	Access
  Assessing the online learner : resources and strategies for faculty	2009	Rena M. Palloff	Access
  Becoming a student-ready college : a new culture of leadership for student success.	2016	Tia Brown McNair	Access
  A Complete Guide to Rubrics : Assessment Made Easy for Teachers, K-College	2012	Audrey M. Quinlan	Access
  Evaluation Beyond Exams in Nursing Education : Designing Assignments and Evaluating With Rubrics	2014	Robin Donohoe Dennison	Access
  The Handbook of Communication Training : A Framework for Assessing and Developing Competence	2018	J.D. Wallace	Access
  Classroom Assessment in Action	2011	Mark D. Shermis	Access
  Classroom Assessment : A Practical Guide for Educators	2017	Craig D. Mertler	Access
  Checking for Understanding : Formative Assessment Techniques for Your Classroom	2007	Douglas Fisher	Access
  Classroom Assessment and Grading That Work	2006	Robert J. Marzano	Access
  Classroom assessment : enhancing the quality of teacher decision making	2003	Lorin W. Anderson	Access
  Curriculum Based Assessment : A Primer	2004	Charles H. Hargis	Access
  Formative Assessment : Making It Happen in the Classroom	2010	Margaret Heritage	Access
  Introduction to Rubrics : An Assessment Tool to Save Grading Time, Convey Effective Feedback, and Promote Student Learning	2005	Dannelle D. Stevens	Access
  Designing and assessing courses and curricula : a practical guide	2008	Robert M. Diamond	Access
  Formative Assessment in a Brain-Compatible Classroom : How Do We Really Know They’re Learning?	2016	Marcia L. Tate	Access
  The Leaders of Their Own Learning Companion : New Tools and Tips for Tackling the Common Challenges of Student-Engaged Assessment	2019	Ron Berger	Access
  InterActive Classroom : Practical Strategies for Involving Students in the Learning Process.	2019	Ron Nash	Access
  Increasing productivity and efficiency in online teaching	2016	Patricia Dickenson	Access
  Fair Isn’t Always Equal, 2nd Edition : Assessment & Grading in the Differentiated Classroom	2017	Rick Wormeli	Access
  Effective grading : a tool for learning and assessment in college	2010	Barbara E.F. Walvoord	Access
  Rubric Assessment Goes to College : Objective, Comprehensive Evaluation of Student Work	2013	Mary J. Goggins Selke	Access
  Striving for the Perfect Classroom : Instructional and Assessment Strategies to Meet the Needs of Today’s Diverse Learners	2010	Kelli R. Pacquette	Access
  Testing student learning, evaluating teaching effectiveness	2004	Williamson M. Evers	Access
  The Online Teaching Survival Guide : Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips	2016	Judith V. Boettcher	Access
  Evaluation and testing in nursing education	2009	Marilyn H. Oermann	Access
  Portfolio Assessment for the Teaching and Learning of Writing	2018	Ricky Lam	Access
  Powerful Teaching : Unleash the Science of Learning	2019	Pooja Agarwal	Access
  Reflective teaching, effective learning instructional literacy for library educators	2011	Char Booth	Access
  How to Use Grading to Improve Learning	2017	Susan M. Brookhart	Access
  On Grades and Grading : Supporting Student Learning Through a More Transparent and Purposeful Use of Grades	2013	Timothy Quinn	Access
  Great performances: creating classroom-based assessment tasks	1998	Larry Lewin	Access
  The theory and practice of grading writing: problems and possibilities	1998	Frances Zak	Access
  Understanding by design	1998	Grant P. Wiggins, Jay McTighe	Access
  (Re)articulating writing assessment for teaching and learning	2002	Brian A. Hooat	Access
  What We Know About Grading : What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Next	2019	Thomas R. Guskey	Access
  What we really value : beyond rubrics in teaching and assessing writing	2003	Bob Broad	Access

• Journals

  To access these journals, please go to:

  Journal Finder 

  and then login with ACCeID credentials (Okta) and search by journal title.

  Journal Titles 

  These are available via the ACC Library:

  • American Biology Teacher
  • American Music Teacher
  • American Teacher
  • Art Education
  • Educational Assessment
  • Research and Practice in Assessment
  • Journal of Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
  • Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
  • The International Journal of Assessment and Evaluation

• Online Readings

  • Read: Using Student Peer Assessments to Develop Professional Skills, by B. Prema Strecker, RDH, MS
  • Read: 7 Approaches to Alternative Assessments, by Denise Pope
  • Read: The Heart of Learning by Peg Raiford 
  • ACC Equity & Assessment Resources

• Podcasts

  Listen to the Teaching & Learning Champions Podcast: Use of Alternative Assessment through Remote Teaching.

• Streaming Video

  Title	Date	Database	Permalink
  Assessment for learning : strategic questioning	2014	Kanopy	Access
  Assessment for learning : peer feedback and student self-assessment	2014	Kanopy	Access
  Assessment for learning: effective feedback	2014	Kanopy	Access

We update this FAQ regularly. If your question is not listed, email [email protected].

Get help

The Teaching and Learning Excellence Division (TLED) and the Office of Distance and Alternative Education (ODAE) provide support in course design, teaching technologies, and other high-impact practices that strengthen Austin Community College’s (ACC) Guided Pathways model. We offer a range of consultations for just-in-time assistance. Review options at Teaching Consultations and Support.

DE proctoring

• What is DE proctoring?

  ACC provides an online live proctoring platform for Chromebooks as well as Windows and Mac computers and laptops. Distance Education personnel monitor the student live through Class for Zoom while the student takes the exam.

• How do I get started with setting up DE proctoring?

  See the Testing Guide.

• What optional materials can be specified in a DE-proctored test?

  Zuleyka Izquierdo, Manager
  Distance Education Testing
  512-223-0461
  [email protected]

• What instructions do students need to prepare for a DE proctoring session?

  See the Testing Guide.

• How do students set up a DE proctoring session?

  See the Testing Guide.

• What are the technical requirements for DE proctoring?

  See the Testing Guide.

• If I have questions about DE proctoring not listed here, who can I contact?

  Zuleyka Izquierdo, Manager
  Distance Education Testing
  512-223-0461
  [email protected]

Respondus

• What are Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor?

  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 or tabs; copying, pasting, or taking screen captures; using instant messaging; opening other applications; or visiting other websites (unless configured to allow specific external sites).

  LockDown Browser can be used on its own or with Respondus Monitor for added security. Respondus Monitor uses the student’s webcam and microphone to record the testing session and deter use of secondary devices, outside materials, or assistance from others.

• What’s the difference between LockDown Browser and Monitor?

  LockDown Browser restricts the testing environment on the device. Monitor adds webcam and microphone recording during the exam.

• How do I get started with Respondus?

  Visit the Respondus tool page to get started.

• What are the technical requirements for Respondus?

  • Windows: 10, 8, 7 (note: Windows 10 S is not compatible)
  • Mac: OS X 10.10 or higher
  • iOS: 10.0+ (iPad only)
  • Webcam (internal or external) and microphone (Respondus Monitor only)
  • Broadband internet connection

• Are LockDown Browser and LockDown Browser with Monitor compatible with iPads?

  Yes. See the Testing Guide.

  Additional information: Can an iPad be used with LockDown Browser?

• How do I create and format questions in Respondus?

  Email [email protected] for assistance.

• I am a Mac user. How do I access the Respondus test bank software?

  Mac users can access Respondus via the ACC Faculty Virtual Desktop. If you have not enabled the Faculty Virtual Desktop, you can do so there. Visit the Teaching and Learning Knowledge Base for setup instructions.

• What do students need to know to use Respondus?

  • Students must download and install LockDown Browser on their system. iPad users need to download the LockDown Browser app from the Apple App Store. (ACC-issued iPads include LockDown Browser.)
  • Students must use LockDown Browser to open Blackboard and access the exam. Advise students not to start the test in another browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.), as the exam will not launch.

• Where can students download LockDown Browser?

  Direct students to the Respondus Help Pages for the download link and a quick start guide.

• Looking for more information?

  • Testing Guide
  • Teaching and Learning Knowledge Base
  • Respondus tool page

Student Accessibility Services

• How are tests handled for students with accommodations approved by Student Accessibility Services?

  Blackboard Ally is available in all Blackboard shells to support document accessibility. Ally does not change how course content works but provides “indicators” to show file accessibility. Instructors can click the indicator for feedback on issues, why they matter, and how to fix them.

  Ally also generates alternative formats, such as HTML for phones, ePub for tablets, MP3 for audio, and electronic braille. These formats do not affect the original file and are available to students and instructors.

• Testing with accommodations

  Testing accommodations are administered by each campus testing center. Students should schedule appointments at least five business days in advance. Once scheduled, [email protected] will email you with exam location and instructions. Please respond promptly.

  Instructor receives an email if accommodations include:

  • Magnifiers (CCTV, JAWS, ZoomText/Fusion, etc.)
  • Kurzweil/Text to Speech
  • Live reader/scribe
  • Enlarged font or alternative exam formats
  • Speech recognition software
  • Reduced-distraction testing
  • Other SAS-supported accommodations

  Instructor submits test directly to the Testing Center if accommodations include:

  • Extended time
  • Breaks during exams
  • Drinks/snacks
  • Sunglasses or tinted glasses
  • Headphones (not connected)
  • Approved open book/notes
  • Medical devices (oxygen, insulin pump, etc.)
  • Computer for essay exams

  Submit the test with the testing center transmittal form, marked “SAS Test Only,” and include the student’s approved accommodations.

  More information: Student Accessibility Services

  Questions and contacts

  For testing questions: [email protected]

  For accommodations, visit the SAS Contact page.

• What if a student’s accommodations read: “Testing/Quizzes – Reader (Audio or Oral format)”?

  JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion, and NVDA software work with the latest versions of Respondus. If students have trouble, contact [email protected].

• How can I make my Word documents and PowerPoints accessible?

  • PowerPoint Accessibility Guide (PDF)
  • Word Accessibility Guide (PDF)

  Questions? Email [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].

• Where can I learn more about Kurzweil as an accommodation?

  • On Blackboard: Students can use Kurzweil via the Read the Web extension without a password.
  • With Respondus LockDown Browser: Kurzweil is now compatible, though limitations remain. SAS Testing may provide further support.
  • PDF documents: Students can open and use them in Kurzweil 3000.