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10,000 Text Alternatives for Computer-Adaptive Assessments - Successes, Challenges and Lessons Learned

Proposal No: 2671

Bios & Handouts

Speaker(s)

  • Bryan Gould, Director , WGBH/NCAM
  • Elizabeth Barker, Early Learning and Accessibility Specialis, Northwest Evaluation Association

Disability Area:          


Topic Area:                  


Length of Session (in hours): 1-hrFormat: Lecture Expertise Level: All Levels Type of session: Not provided

Summary of Session

NWEA and NCAM will share experiences of providing 10,000 text alts for images used within NWEA’s computer adaptive tests, including the decision to add alt text to an entire adaptive test vs. providing a fixed form test, hiring alt text editors, and accessibility challenges of Technology Enhanced Items.

Abstract

NWEA and NCAM are working together to add text alternatives to 10,000 test questions that include images, graphs and charts, in order to establish an accessible testing environment. Our teams will share experiences with providing text alternatives for images used within assessments. A primary focus will be on the differences in providing text alternatives for assessment images versus alternatives for images used in conventional (that is, non-assessment) Web sites. We will discuss our successes and challenges, and how these lessons have shaped future conversations around various types of test questions. Furthermore, the presentation will discuss the importance of adding alternative text to the entire computer-adaptive test verse creating a new fixed form assessment. Lastly, the team will discuss the various forms of test questions that received text alternatives and the challenges of working with specific content and new Technology Enhance Items.

Keypoints

  1. Challenges in writing alt text for assessments
  2. Differences in alt text across grade ranges and disciplines
  3. Benefits of accessible computer based assessments

Speaker Bio(s)

Bryan Gould

Bryan Gould, WGBH/NCAM Director of Accessible Learning and Assessment Technologies. Bryan has been conducting blindness-related research and development projects for over 20 years at WGBH. His projects range from improving access to complex scientific images and high-stakes assessments to amusement park rides and smart phone apps. Bryan’s multiple published guidelines, most notably the STEM Image Description Guidelines, have been adopted by many educational publishers and accessibility organizations and he regularly conducts training sessions on how best to present images, video, and digital experiences to meet the needs of people with visual and print disabilities. Bryan is expert in writing image description for alt text and audio description for video.

Elizabeth Barker

Elizabeth R.G. Barker, is an early learning and accessibility content specialist at Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). Prior to working at NWEA she was a special education teacher working both in middle and elementary schools. Elizabeth received a B.S in general education K-5 and special education; specifically emotional behavior from Western Michigan University and her M.A. in special education from the University of Colorado, Denver. She currently is a doctoral student at the University of Oregon studying Educational Methodology Policy and Leadership. Presently, her role at NWEA is advocating for the creation of more accessible items and tests for all students.

Handout(s)

NWEA_NCAM_AHG_2015