Instructor FAQs for Online Courses

These FAQs answer common questions about academic accommodations in online courses.

Looking for some tips for setting up accommodated online exams? Consult this tip sheet!

Students are required to log into Clockwork to send their accommodations to their instructors.

Once a week, instructors will be sent an automated email notification to their @ucalgary.ca accounts. These notifications will identify any students who have had accommodation letters issued in the last 7 days. Instructors may also view students and their accommodations at any time by logging into Clockwork at https://clockwork.ucalgary.ca/ClockWork/user/instructor/default.aspx and selecting the courses tab, then the accommodation letters option for the course (on the right-hand side).

SAS recommends time-adjusted break accommodations be added directly to the student’s test length. This approach allows students to self-manage their break time through the test. In some cases, the break time may be longer than the test. In that case, you can contact access.exams@ucalgary.ca or the student’s Access Advisor for guidance on the next steps in those unique situations.

If the test is for an online course that students can access from any location, then they do not need to write at the SAS Exam Centre; therefore, instructors do not need to provide us with a copy of the test.

Instructors and students cannot opt to write online tests in person at the Exam Centre as seats are limited to students writing assessments for in-person courses. Arrangements should be made for the student’s accommodations (extra time and adjusted breaks) in the online testing platform.

For online tests, instructors only need to ensure they are giving students their additional time and break accommodations. Students are responsible for setting up an environment that meets their needs, such as specific furniture or distraction levels. For technology accommodations, SAS has connected with students about their software requirements and provided them with options for at-home use. If you have questions about a specific exam accommodation, please contact access.exams@ucalgary.ca or the student’s Access Advisor.

D2L allows for different test settings for each student. These settings can be found under the restriction tab by scrolling to the bottom of the page and selecting the “add users to special access" button.

For a step by step guide please see https://elearn.ucalgary.ca/special-access-for-students

Instructors need to adjust the following settings within grant special access: setting a new timing for the exam and adjusting the due date (if you are using this feature).

Once a week, instructors will be sent an automated email notification to their @ucalgary.ca accounts. These notifications will identify any students who have had accommodation letters issued in the last 7 days. Students must request their accommodation letter a minimum of 7 days before quizzes/tests/exams to allow faculty members the required time to make adjustments. Any student requests less than 7 days are up to the discretion of the Faculty member.