[senit] Can anyone help re experiences with A level maths scribes

Have you thought about letting him write using Scientific Notebook from
Christopher Mabb.
  http://www.sciword.demon.co.uk/

Scientific Word, the full program, is expensive, but Scientific Notebook is
only £50 for a student-  don't be put off by the cost of the full versions
on their rather gimmicky pricing schedule.

There is a clear account of what it does and how to use it shown on a video 
clip
via their website and you may download  a 30 day free trial to see if it
would work for your student.

I have never understood why schools aren't using this wholesale in maths
departments, if only for creating exam papers/ worksheets.

Elizabeth

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Sally Barton
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 7:12 PM
Subject: [senit] Can anyone help re experiences with A level maths scribes

Hi there,

Is there anyone out there who has had students sitting A level maths with a
scribe?

I have a student who has limited control of his hands due to cerebral palsy.
He uses a computer and can control a mouse but for GCSE used a note taker
and a scribe in exams.  He is due to take his C1 exam (non-calculator) in
January and I am trying to find out what his scribe will be allowed to write
because it is "standard maths" and when he will need to spell out what to
do.  Eg notation for integration - can he say "integral from 2 to 3" or does
he have to say "integral sign with a 2 at the bottom and a 3 at the top"
then "equals   square bracket  2,3" or "write an equals sign followed by a
square bracket the second square bracket needs to have a 2 at the bottom and
a 3 at the top"...  Speech is also a strain for my student so keeping
instructions to a minimum helps his stamina for the exam.   For C2 and S2 we
may try to use the computer - again does anyone have experience in this
area.  We take the AQA exams at college.

Also does anyone know the rules or recommendations re who can be the
scribe - his support worker is really employed to help with his personal
needs - he isn't confident at GCSE and has never done A level maths!  I am
in discussion with college about note taking/exam scribe but it would be
useful if anyone out there could say what their students did.
For C2 and S2 we may try to use the computer - again does anyone have
experience in this area.  We take the AQA exams at college.
Many thanks
Sally B