Frequently Asked Questions - Realtime Captioning FAQs for Instructors

Realtime Captioning FAQs for Instructors

Does Realtime Captioning require the use of technology, such as mobile phones or laptops, in my classroom?

Yes, Realtime Captioning provides an instant translation of spoken English into written English text that is displayed on a laptop, tablet, or cell phone.  

If a DSP student has an accommodation for the use of a laptop, tablet, or cell phone for disability-related reasons, please allow the DSP student to use their device. It is also important to allow the student to sit where they choose, as the student may need to sit near the front as an accommodation for their disability as well. 

In your syllabus, please state that students who need to use an electronic device should contact the instructor to request an exception. In this way, you can avoid specifically singling out students with disabilities.

Realtime Captioning FAQs for Instructors-AIM

How do I access Accommodation Information in AIM?

Accessing Accommodation Information in AIM

  1. Faculty and Instructors must go to the AIM Instructor log-in page (link is external)and log in with your Berkeley CalNet ID and Passphrase.

Screenshot of AIM landing page

  2. After an Instructor reads and agrees to the FERPA agreement, click "Continue to View Student Accommodations" to advance to the next "Overview" page.

Screenshot of Instructor Authentication page

  3. From the "Overview"page, an instructor can see a list of all DSP students, the main accommodations they requested, and whether or not an instructor has read the LOA (Letter of Accommodation). 

Screenshot of Overview page

  4. Instructors can click "View" next to a specific student’s name to see the LOA (Letter of Accommodation). 

Screenshot of list of students with accommodations

  5. At the bottom of the "Overview" page is a section that will show, if enabled, a list of students who are registered with DSP but have not requested accommodation for that course.

6. Search Students' Eligibilities: On the top right is a link to "Search Students' Eligibilities."  Selecting that option will allow instructors to see a list of student names and email addresses that can be exported. 

Screenshot of List of Students' Eligibilities dispaying names and emails

  7. Selecting "Click to Expand Advanced Search Panel" displays a list of student eligibilities that Instructors can use to search. (Some examples are given below). 

Screenshot displaying student accommodation eligibilities

  8. Export Students' Eligibilities

    8a. Export Student List. Then export a list of all student eligibilities. The eligibility is based on whether a student is eligible for a particular accommodation.

    8b. Export Student Accommodation Requests. Exports a list of all the accommodations requested by students.

    8c. Export Student Courses with Eligibility. Combines the two reports for the student’s eligibility and requested accommodations.

Screenshot displaying export options

  9. Add Proxies (Add Instructor)

    9a. On the top furthest right-hand corner of the page is a link to "Add Instructor."  Selecting that option will allow instructors to add/assign proxies to their selected course(s).

Screenshot displaying button to Add Instructor

  10. From the "Add Instructor"page, faculty can select a course and enter the appropriate contact information of the instructor they would like to assign proxy privileges.

Screenshot displaying area where instructor information is filled out

  11. Once complete, select the "Add Instructor" button at the bottom of the page, and that instructor will be sent an email to confirm their access as an Instructor or Proxy for the course to which they were assigned.

  12. Once they click on the link provided in the email and CalNet authenticate, their name, course information, and status will appear in the "List of Requests for Adding Instructors," similar to the example shown below, once processing is complete.

Screenshot of the List of Requests for Adding Instructors page

What is AIM?

AIM, the Accessible Information Management System, is a web-based database system that provides a means for DSP to communicate and interact with faculty, staff, and disabled students in one robust platform. It’s also fully integrated with Berkeley Student Information System (SIS/Cal Central) making coordination of services for students easier. 

For further information, please visit DSP's Accessible Information Management Sytem (AIM) page.

Realtime Captioning FAQs for Instructors-Remote Instruction

Can a student with a Realtime Captioning accommodation participate in Zoom group work/breakout rooms?

Yes, the student is able to participate in group work. When a class is held in-person, a captioner is present and often sits with the group in order to hear the speakers clearly. Remote classes are handled similarly in that the captioner will be present in the same breakout room/group component as the student. 

A student may also speak with the DSP Captioning Coordinator if they wish to omit captioning from any portion of their course. In the event a student elects to omit captioning from a component of their course, the instructor will be notified by the DSP Captioning Coordinator that the student does not need captioning for that specific portion.

We encourage students to discuss their accommodations with their professors, and they may reach out to you with what works best for them in your particular class.

How will I know if a Realtime Captioner is present in my Zoom meeting?

The captioner will be named “Captioner” in your Zoom participant list.

How do I assign the captioner to a Zoom breakout room?

When assigning a captioner to the student during breakout sessions, please look for the captioner as a participant (Captioner). Please ensure the captioner is in the same breakout room as the student receiving the accommodation.

Breakout Room Instructions

How do I communicate with the captioner during a Zoom lecture?

You can communicate with the captioner in the Zoom chat. The captioner will be listed in the participant list as “Captioner.” 

The captioners are captioning and monitoring multiple screens, so they will respond as they are able.