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McGill.CA / Student Accessibility & Achievement / Instructors / Resources

Memory Aids

Memory Aid - Reasonable Consideration Requests

PDF icon Instructor Guide - Use of a Memory Aid

Overview

A memory aid may be provided as an academic accommodation when a student experiences documented disability-related barriers retrieving previously learned information from long-term memory.

The purpose of the memory aid is to provide cues that support retrieval while maintaining the intended learning outcomes of the assessment.

Memory aids are not intended to provide answers, replace studying, or reduce the knowledge and skills being assessed.

For detailed guidance, examples, and review criteria, please refer to the Instructor Guide – Use of a Memory Aid.

 

What Is a Memory Aid Accommodation?

A memory aid is a student-created tool containing prompts and cues that support recall during an assessment.

MEMORY AIDS MAY INCLUDE: MEMORY AIDS SHOULD NOT INCLUDE:

Acronyms

 Definitions

Mnemonics

Detailed explanations or Step-by-step procedures

Symbols

Worked examples

Brief phrases

Lists of answers
Diagrams

Formulas that students are expected to memorize

A memory aid should cue the retrieval of previously learned information, not provide the information needed to answer questions on the assessment.

Suggested Memory Aid Parameters:

When discussing the use of a memory aid with a student, you will agree upon the parameters of the memory aid. Common suggested parameters include:

  • 1 page (8.5 x 11)

  • Single sided

  • Handwritten or typed size 12 font

*If an enlarged copy of the memory aid is required for students with a visual impairment, it must still fit within the agreed upon guidelines when at the standard font size.

 

When Should a Memory Aid Be Considered?

A memory aid may be appropriate when a documented disability creates a significant barrier to independently retrieving information that the student has already learned.

Note: When reviewing a memory aid, the instructor's role is to determine whether the memory aid maintains the integrity of the assessment, not whether the student has a disability that supports access to a memory aid.

A MEMORY AID MAY BE CONSIDERED WHEN: A MEMORY AID MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE WHEN:

Addresses a disability-related barrier with retrieval.

Provides answers or completed solutions.

Supports retrieval by providing appropriate cues that allow the student to demonstrate their knowledge.

Replaces required knowledge.
Does not change what the assessment is intended to measure. Changes the intended learning outcomes or competencies being assessed.

See the Instructor Guide – Use of a Memory Aid for examples and a decision-tree framework.

 

Roles and Responsibility

The memory aid process is a shared responsibility between Student Accessibility and Achievement, instructors, and students:

Student

  • Request the accommodation each semester and meets with their instructor.

  • Develop and submits their memory aid.

  • Makes revisions if requested.

  • Uses only the approved memory aid during assessments.

Instructor

  • Meets with the student to discuss assessment expectations.

  • Reviews the submitted memory aid with a focus on maintaining the integrity, validity, and learning outcomes of the assessment.

  • Approves the memory aid, requests revisions, rejects the use of the memory aid for a specific assessment, or reassigns it to the appropriate person.

Student Accessibility and Achievement

  • Determines eligibility for a memory aid accommodation.

  • Supports students in developing an appropriate memory aid.

  • Prints approved memory aid ahead of each assessment.

Memory Aid Process

  1. Accommodation added to academic accommodation plan.

  1. Student and instructor meet to discuss expectations and parameters.

  1. Student creates the memory aid.

  1. Student submits a draft.

  1. Instructor reviews (approves, rejects and requests revisions, rejects use of memory aid on this exam, or reassigns to another person if applicable).

  1. Student makes necessary revisions.

  1. Instructor final approval of memory aid.

  1. Student Accessibility and Achievement prints the memory and provides it to the student with their exam.

Please see Instructor Guide – Use of a Memory Aid for additional details about the process.

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