[senco-forum] laptops in exams and dyslexic sixth formers

We don't let them use their own laptops now.  One year, one crashed
during an English paper and everything was lost.  We use the school IT
room and school computers - backed up every 5 seconds.  It means that
the IT room is out of use for the exam period but it is less nail
biting. 

With kind regards

Mrs A J Bremner
Head of Curriculum Support

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Colston's
LSU
Sent: 20 November 2006 17:14
To: Carol Smart; 'WrayJanice Wray'; 'senco forum'
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] laptops in exams and dyslexic sixth formers

Two pennies more:
Making sure the computer is clean is difficult and some students object
violently to anyone "messing" with their computer (can't say I blame
them).
This despite being warned well in advance of the exam boards' rulings.
The
spellchecker has to be disabled and there is the nail biting experience
of
having the printer fail to print out answers at the end of the
exam...(Don't
you just love it when they look at you so trustingly and say "it often
does
that and sometimes we can't get it to print at all," confident that you
can!)

We are considering buying two word processors to be kept for exam use
only
(I know they are different from laptops but will get students to
practise
before exams.

Anyone done this yet? Any observations? Anyone snapped the end off/bent
a
memory stick yet?
Maths and science papers most of my laptop users have handwritten -
their
preferred option.

By the way, one year I had four students using laptops GCSE and A level
-
running cables to supply power was Health and Safety nightmare and the
one
using battery forgot his spare.  Stress levels through roof for all
staff
invigilating.

Lindsay

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of Carol Smart
Sent: 20 November 2006 16:41
To: 'WrayJanice Wray'; 'senco forum'
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] laptops in exams and dyslexic sixth formers

This one comes up more frequently and here is my twopenneth.. Firstly
use of
a laptop is not as I see it is wise for anyone, because of the need to
use a
"clean" computer - one that is cleared of any information that could
support
the student (particularly one that they have completed their course
notes/revision on ) and that does not have access to spell/grammar
checking
software etc.  It is possible to clear a students personal laptop but
risky
as it could require the removal of information that they might need
later..Not something I would like to try.
Second - This is to allow access arrangements - to provide a level
playing
field for those with a disability/SEN.  It may be that in time it does
become acceptable for everyone who simply finds the use of a word
processor
quicker/easier, but that is not as far as I understand it the present
situation -there has to be a reason associated with increased levels of
need.
Carol

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of WrayJanice
Wray
Sent: 20 November 2006 10:18
To: senco forum
Subject: [senco-forum] laptops in exams and dyslexic sixth formers

Can anyone use a laptop in an exam if it is their usual way of working
in
class etc or do they have to have some sort of learning difficulty for
exam
access arrangements as well ?
We have a sixth former who uses his laptop all the time but no other
reason
for using it in an exam.I'm also getting asked quite a lot by sixth form
teachers 'Is so and so dyslexic' - usually because their writing skills
are
poor, poor memory or bad spelling. Usually it is because they want extra
time in an exam.
What are your responses to this kind of request ?Janice WraySecondary
SENCO,
Herts
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