Technology Enhanced Items for All

Standardized testing is a rite of passage, especially for students in the United States. Previously these assessments consisted of multiple-choice questions with fill-in-the-bubble answer sheets. Computer-based exams are now available, leading to the introduction of technology enhanced items that require hand-eye coordination for successful completion. The Seeker desires a solution that would allow individuals with motor or visual impairment to effectively access technology enhanced items independently.

This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.

Many people may remember taking an annual standardized test in elementary, middle, or high school and preparing for the day with sharpened No. 2 pencils. A new era of testing has arrived – pencils have been replaced by a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The computer-based testing approach has rapidly transformed the test taking experience, allowing examiners to ask more sophisticated questions that test for critical thinking and probe for deeper understanding of the educational content. In addition to making sure that schools have the technological capacity to deliver these exams, we need to ensure that all examinees can access these computer-based technology enhanced items (e.g. Draw an Object, Drag and Drop, Matching). The Seeker desires a solution that would allow individuals with motor control or visual limitations to effectively interact with technology enhanced items and participate with dignified independent access.

This is an Ideation Challenge, which has the following unique features:

• There is a guaranteed award. The awards will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. The total payout will be $10,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,000.
• Submission forwarding occurs during the Challenge. Since submissions will be forwarded to the Seeker throughout the Challenge, please make sure you upload only a finished proposal. You can submit an updated version of your proposal only as a new submission. If you submit an updated version of your proposal, please clearly indicate the new items and/or edits compared to your previous submission. This will allow the Seeker to quickly find the new information and determine how it improves your submission.
• The Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive intellectual property rights to the Seeker. Rather, by submitting a proposal, the Solvers grants to the Seeker a royalty-free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to use any information included in this proposal, including for promotional purposes.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on September 5, 2014. Late submissions will not be considered.

After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All Solvers that submit a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions; however, no detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided.