The Accommodations function in Blackboard Ultra allows you to set the extra time for students in all timed assessment on the course, in line with their reasonable adjustments as advised by Disability Advice Service (DAS).
- Set a time limit accommodation
- DAS recommendations as a percentage
- Accommodations – not recommended for use
Set a time limit accommodation
Accommodations are set at a course level and will make the relevant time adjustments in all timed assessments on the course. This will work with Blackboard built in tools such as Tests and Assignments. It will not work for third party tools such as Gradescope.
- Step 1: Open the accommodations panel for the specific student
- Step 2: Apply time limit accommodation as a percentage
- Step 3: Save and return to student list
Step 1: Open the accommodations panel for the specific student
(a) Go to the Gradebook, open the Students tab and locate the student you wish to grant an accommodation for.
(b) You can use the search function on this tab to locate the student in an large cohort.
(c) Click on the three menu for the student and select Accommodations from the menu.
Step 2: Apply time limit accommodation as a percentage
The Accommodations panel will open for the student you have selected.
(d) Select “Time limit accommodation”
(e) Select “Custom percentage”
(f) Add a whole number percentage to the percentage field.
Step 3: Save the accommodation and return to the student list
Save the changes and the accommodations panel will close.
Once saved a pop-up window will appear explaining that “time limits for previously submitted work will update”.
Click add to continue
In the Student list (and wherever the student’s name appears) there is now a purple ribbon icon to indicate that this student has an accommodation set up.
DAS recommendations as a percentage
Where rest and comfort breaks are recommended, the requirements are usually passed on in terms of minutes per hour. These will have to be converted to a percentage and added to any percentage extra time the student has been granted.
This table provides those percentages – it has not yet been agreed by DAS. Please wait until an agreed procedure is in place.
| Additional time required | Percentage (2 DP) | Whole number percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes per hour | 8.34% | 8% |
| 10 minutes per hour | 16.67% | 17% |
| 15 minutes per hour | 25% | 25% |
| 20 minutes per hour | 33.34% | 33% |
| 25 minutes per hour | 41.67% | 42% |
| 30 minutes per hour | 50% | 50% |
Accommodations – not recommended for use
There are two accommodations we do not recommend using with our assessment procedures at the University of Reading.
- (g) Due date accommodation – this will prevent students from ever having work marked as late – late submissions are not marked as such.
- (d) Unlimited extra time – with our current arrangements for students with reasonable adjustments there is no need for this option.
Guide last updated on August 15, 2024
