[SENco-forum] Alpha Smarts/exam access

My daughters school is aware of how vigorously we will be asking them to
chase
various exam boards regarding her being able to use TextHELP on her laptop.
The 'read back' on the spellchecker is her only way of selecting the correct
word out of 5 on offer.

Home tutoring with 4 children with High IQ /dyslexia is out of the question!
Are you quite mad!  I need to be as far from them as possible all day and
then can be a great mum the rest of the time.  School is great preparation
for life even if it does not always supply what they need in the way of
dyslexia support.

They are brilliant about working with me when they have to,  but I leave
education to their teachers and keep interference to a minimum.  I
concentrate on tutoring or supporting other students with dyslexia.

Sharon Tringham

-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon Fawcitt [mailto:sfawcitt at dsl.pipex.com]
Sent: 16 May 2007 14:01
To: SEN at tringham.net; 'Paul and Philippa Bodien'; 'Becta Senco'
Subject: RE: [SENco-forum] AlphaSmarts/exam access

Hi Sharon,
I know the JCQ rules can be ludicrous at times, especially the one for using
WP.  However, (suspect teaching granny to suck eggs) have you spoken to the
exam boards about your situation (I say, you, because I have a vague feeling
you home tutor?)  if not then school should do this.  I have managed to
argue cases for use of WP which have been accepted by the boards as being in
the spirit of leveling the playing field, even though it has not met the
examples given in the JCQ regs.  I'm not saying you would get an agreement
to using WP, but I find the boards extremely helpful and understanding when
situations are explained to them.  They have the ultimate decision, but are
not inflexible as long as the case can be argued with suitable evidence.
Sharon F

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of
SEN at tringham.net
Sent: 16 May 2007 09:50
To: Paul and Philippa Bodien; Becta Senco
Subject: RE: [SENco-forum] AlphaSmarts/exam access

There will hopefully be a change in exam access arrangements for next year
when each examining body will become liable under the DDA to ensure there is
no discrimination.

I have a problem with my daughters use of ICT.

Currently she uses a government/BECTA supplied laptop with specialist
predictive text software.  She could not use the older Alpha smart as when
the single line of text disappeared from the screen she could not remember
what she had written.  Similarly she had difficulty reading back what she
had written/typed so used the text to speech to do this. Having forsworn
much help and support during school because the ICT enabled her to access
the NC independently - we now find she cannot use it for exams!!!!  It is
tantamount to removing someone's wheelchair or expecting a blind child to
switch to a pencil.

I am looking forward to seeing what comes out in time for next years GCSE
etc.,
Sharon Tringham

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of Paul and
Philippa Bodien
Sent: 15 May 2007 18:48
To: senco forum
Subject: [senco-forum] AlphaSmarts

We purchased 2 AlphaSmarts last January to trial with the word prediction
software Co:Writer - and three Y5 boys have been using them.  All three have
responded brilliantly.  Class teachers, TAs and parents report a significant
boost in confidence, productivity, quality of and enjoyment in their written
work.  It is quite inspiring!

It was the correspondence on the forum that led me to think of trying these
machines, so a big thank you to the contributors who advised their use.

We have some questions... have students been allowed to use their
AlphaSmarts in test situations?  SATs?  GCSEs? etc..  If so, what text
formatting restrictions applied?  Are there any other guidelines?  All
replies gratefully received.  Jamie, are you out there?

Philippa

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