Student Accommodations for Online Learning

1. Balance Screen Time
   • Print materials instead of viewing them from the screen.
   • Take a 15-minute break after every two hours of screen time.
2. Adjust Workspace
3. Adjust Computer Display
   • Brightness of your screen needs to be at the same brightness of your surroundings.
   • Text size and contrast: adjust text for contrast and comfort.
   • Consider the color background:
     1. Windows 10 can be adjusted to a “Night light” setting that can reduce strain on eyes and prevent possible headaches. Go into your search bar to find the Night setting adjustments.  
4. Stay Organized
5. Ask for Help!
   • Contact your Disability Accommodation Coordinator for support with accommodations at dservice@uccs.edu.  
   • Reach out to the Excel Learning Centers
   • Engage in other UCCS campuses resources available to support students.

Take a look at these available resources to support you and your accommodations in your online classes. For questions or support related to Assistive Technology, please contact Leyna Bencomo at lbencomo@uccs.edu.

Read & Write

All UCCS students have access to Read & Write software (text to speech).

Sonocent Tip

If you are a Sonocent Audio Notetaker user, use the Recording from speakers only icon on your main page to record online classes or webinars or videos:

Here is a good video on How to Use Sonocent Notetaker for Online Classes 

Otter

This is a live transcription app that works on both Android and iPhone devices. It allows you to record and it transcribes the recording for up to 600 minutes per month for free. The transcription is not perfect, but it is quite good.

Glean

Glean is a new note taking tool from the Sonocent people. All students are welcome to try it out for free from now through August 2020. It is an easy-to-use note taking tool. If you would like to check it out, please contact me for a training session and a link. Here is a quick Glean tutorial.   After August you will need to check with your coordinator to see if this software is available to you with your particular accommodations.

Equatio

Equatio allows you to have math equations read aloud to you from any digital material. If you would like to try it, contact me and I will send you a link and give you some instructions. We have a trial version that is good for the rest of the semester.  Here is a quick Equatio demo.  This software may not be available to you after this semester.

Preparing for your upcoming online quiz/exam will look different during remote learning. Follow these suggestions prior to your test date.

1. Confirm and request your testing accommodations with your professor prior to any quiz/exam. Contact dservice@uccs.edu for an additional copy of your Faculty Accommodation Letter or for support if needed.
2. Distraction Reduced Environment: Students are used to coming to our office for a more controlled environment to minimize distractions. To create a similar setting, students need to prepare space before their exam online.
   • Find a space. Make it feel like a test environment.
   • Turn off phones.
   • Talk with family/roommates (who are also home) that you will be testing during a specific time space to minimize interruptions.
3. Know the rules and expectations before taking the exam online:
   • What are the instructions: open book/closed?
   • What software do you need access to for the assessment?
   • Can you start the exam at any time or is the exam only available during a certain time frame?
   • Have a clock or timer nearby to track how much time you have.
   • How can you reach the professor if you have questions or concerns?
4. If you qualify for “Short Breaks during Exams” as a disability accommodation, is there a way to pause the exam? Talk with your instructor before the exam begins.

Notetaking Tips:

• Preview the material that you will be learning during class.
• Go to every online session; pay attention, be mentally aware and alert.
• Use all of your senses, if you are a:
  • Kinesthetic learner, make learning more physical by writing and rephrasing material, using note cards or standing when taking/reading notes
  • Visual learner, illustrate pictures of the topic and associate with key words. Use color pens or draw diagrams that illustrate the material
  • Auditory learner, listen attentively and capitalize on processing information. Use Teams with classmates to explain notes/concepts to a study group.
• Make note taking active and physical.
• Link information looking for patterns comparing and contrasting finding similarities and differences.
• Organize your notes, use note cards, tabs or colors.
• Discuss class material with classmates using Microsoft Teams with your classmates.

Livescribe Smart Pen

This device can capture the lecture while you take your notes. It lets you reference a specific place in your notes or listen to the whole lecture again. Disability Services may be able to provide students who qualify with a pen, notebook and training. Contact dservice@uccs.edu to explore this note taking support. Or visit a Livescribe Smart Pen retailer.

Sonocent Audio Notetaker

Sonocent is a computer program that allows you to create a visual recording of the lecture on your own computer or smart phone.  It is designed to help you focus on what’s important in class without worrying about writing down everything you hear.  I recommend you take 3 minutes to watch this Sonocent video which introduces how you could benefit from audio notes. If you are interested in Sonocent, contact dservice@uccs.edu for an appointment.