Pathfinder - Individual Student Settings: Accommodations, Exceptions, and Exemptions

This guide contains resources and information about customizing settings for individual students in Blackboard.

In the first section, three specific Blackboard Ultra features which apply to graded items are highlighted: accommodations, exceptions, and exemptions.

In the second section, additional features which can be used to customize individual settings with regards to course access and non-graded course content are listed.

Section 1: Defining Accommodations, Exceptions and Exemptions

In casual conversation, you might use the terms "accommodate" and "make an exception" more-or-less interchangeably to describe special circumstances for a student in one of your courses. However, in Ultra course view, accommodations, exceptions, and exemptions describe separate functions that are designed with different purposes in mind. Before you decide which function(s) to use in a particular case, it is important to understand the distinctions between them.

Accommodations

Many students registered with the Center for Disability Resources require accommodations for extended time on in-class and web-based tests and assignments in Blackboard.

Accommodations in the Ultra course view are set for individual students and then apply to all graded items within the course. Accommodations can include exempting students from due dates, and adjusting or overriding time limits.

An accommodation is a proactive, global setting applied to a specific student profile. An accommodation gives the student special permissions that automatically apply to due dates and/or time limits for all graded items in the course. Once set, an accommodation should generally not be altered or bypassed, and should be treated as part of the default format of the course when planning and delivering course content.

Not all disability accommodations registered with the CDR can be addressed with the Blackboard accommodations function, which is designed specifically with graded coursework in mind. Some CDR accommodations not related to the submission of graded work, such as providing lecture slides ahead of time, or granting course access to a note taker or helper, can be managed in Blackboard using other individual settings features; for more information see the second section of this guide. If you have questions about how to meet a specific accommodation request through Blackboard, you can reach out to Online Learning Services directly: (link)

Click here to read more about the Accommodations function

Due date accommodation: Students with a due date accommodation may submit work any time after the due date for no penalty. Students with this accommodation will never have their work marked late.
Time limit accommodation: Students with a time limit accommodation have a 'percentage of extra time' that you define to finish their work during timed assessments. For example, if the exam has a time limit of 30 minutes, a student with an accommodation of 50% extra time (aka time-and-a-half) will have 45 minutes to complete the assessment. A student with an accommodation of 100% extra time (aka double time) will have 60 minutes to complete the assessment.

In the roster grid view, students with accommodations appear with an icon next to their names. Instructors will see the student accommodation icon in both the Gradebook and Roster. In the roster list view, students with accommodations appear with an icon next to their name and the type of accommodation is clearly visible in the accommodations column. You can view/edit a student's accommodation information by clicking on the type of accommodation link.

Course Roster list view with purple banner icons next to names of students with accommodations set

*Students won't see the accommodations you've assigned.

For a complete walkthrough, go to the Features page on accommodations

Exceptions

In every course there will be students who make mistakes or have unexpected circumstances arise that impact their ability to participate. Ultra course view uses the exceptions function in the Gradebook to let you edit due dates and re-open graded items for extra attempts, to address these problems when they occur.

An exception is a reactive, individual change to the permissions for a specific graded item, to allow a student to access, re-take, or revise work after the submission deadline has passed. Exceptions are designed for one-time, individual events such as allowing a student to re-take a quiz they missed due to an excused absence, or changing a due date for a student to accommodate a religious observance. Exceptions are not designed for repeating/ongoing individual accommodations, or for universal changes that apply to all students in a course or section.

Exceptions can be used to change a due date, allow extra attempts, or allow a student early/extended access to an item with date restrictions. Certain uses of exceptions, such as for accommodating a religious observance, are governed by university policy. Other uses, such as the decision of whether to allow a student to re-take a quiz they failed to complete on time, are generally up to the discretion of the instructor.

Exemptions

Exemptions in Ultra course view are used to remove items from a student's attendance or gradebook record entirely. While the other two functions described above are used to customize the individual conditions around graded work requirements, exemptions alter the coursework/grade requirements themselves, and represent a more significant change to the student's course experience.

An exemption is a reactive change which removes a graded item from a student's Gradebook calculations entirely. Exemptions can be applied to graded attendance or discussion participation, or to a test or assignment. Exemptions can significantly alter a student's grading profile. For example, in a course with 4 exams worth 50 points each, and a total exam grade calculated out of ---/200, a student with an exemption for one exam will have their total exam grade calculated out of ---/150 instead. Exemptions should only be used in cases where a student cannot be reasonably expected to finish a graded work requirement, such as in cases of acute illness or significant personal emergency.

Because exemptions can potentially create significant differences in grading requirements between students, they should be evaluated for their potential to create unfair situations before being used. Consult with your department or college if you have questions about best practices for altering grading policies or granting exemptions.

Set Assignment Exceptions

In addition to the global accommodations, exceptions can also be granted on specific Assignments and Tests to an individual student. Consider using an exception when you want to change an assignment/assessment's availability or to provide extra attempts.

An Exception applies to a specific assessment for a specific student, where you can change the visibility dates and number of attempts for that student.

Grant Gradebook Exemptions

Sources and Relevant Links