Supporting all learners is essential, especially during assessments. Otus offers built-in tools that provide the flexibility and accessibility students need to succeed, including options tailored for individual accommodations and testing supports.
Differentiated Instruction and Resources
Versatile Content: Assign alternative versions of lessons and assessments tailored to individual learning styles, paces, or goals.
Personalized Learning Plans: Create student-specific, district-managed learning plans that itemize objectives and supports.
Assessment Accommodations
Otus provides a range of built-in assessment accommodations. The table below outlines which features are available for each assessment type.
Use Lockdown Browser to remove on-screen distractions and provide a more focused, structured testing environment for students with attention-related challenges.
Adjust assessment settings, like availability windows or time limits, to accommodate students who need extended time, reduced stress, or flexibility in their testing schedule.
Print assessments for students who thrive with paper-based tasks, have limited technology access, or require specific physical accommodations. (Note: not all Advanced question types are printable.)
Add audio or video instructions to assessment questions, benefiting auditory learners, emerging readers, or students who process information better through multimedia.
Allow students to respond with audio or video in Rubric and Advanced assessments. This supports varied expression, boosts engagement, and offers alternatives for students who find written responses challenging.
Advanced Assessment Features
Default Accessibility Features
By default, all Advanced assessments allow students to enter full-screen mode, adjust accessibility settings, and flag questions.
Full-Screen Mode
Help eliminate visual distractions by hiding the main navigation bar.
Accessibility Settings
Adjust the color scheme to reduce eye strain and support visual or sensory sensitivities.
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Change font size across the assessment to assist students with visual impairments or reading difficulties.
Zoom in and out using keyboard shortcuts for greater visual comfort.
Zoom in: Command/Ctrl Plus (+)
Zoom out: Command/Ctrl Minus (-)
Reset zoom: Command/Ctrl 0
Flag questions
Students can mark items to revisit later, supporting executive functioning skills like planning, prioritizing, and self-monitoring.
Additional Settings (must be enabled in the assessment settings)
TextHelp Speechstream
When enabled, TextHelp offers a variety of accessibility tools, including:
Text-to-speech read aloud
Talking single-word translator
Talking dictionary
Picture dictionary
Highlighters
Student Annotations
When enabled, student annotations provides students with access to a:
Item-Specific Accommodations
FAQ and Troubleshooting
Click to see FAQ and troubleshooting details.
Click to see FAQ and troubleshooting details.
Can students use speech-to-text?
Otus supports students in using their familiar speech-to-text tools. Students can readily utilize the speech-to-text functionalities available on their devices or web browsers when working in Otus. It's important to be aware that when Lockdown Browser is enabled for an assessment, its function to secure the testing environment may affect access to these external speech-to-text tools.
How can I translate assessments and other content?
For the highest accuracy, we recommend translating content manually before inputting it into Otus. Alternatively, your web browser's built-in translation tool may translate text (excluding text within images) within the Otus application. The accuracy of automated translation can vary. Click here to learn more.
Is Otus compatible with assistive technology?
Otus is designed to be web-accessible and function on any touchscreen device. It generally supports standard assistive technologies like screen readers and keyboard navigation. For specific compatibility questions, please detail the technology you are using when contacting support.