In a message dated 01/10/03 17:15:16 GMT Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:
<< Further, it seems that students attending Assessments of Need are not
given the opportunity to trial it. This
is surely not empowering the students or enabling them to discuss the
relative merits of the system, from their own point of veiw, as
against the alternatives. >>
Paddy made a good case for providing electronic notes to students through a
system like stereotype. As an assessor I would be happy to offer students an
opportunity to trial the system during an assessment although such a trial would
be limited to a demonstration of the technocal features, not real note taking.
However, I wonder if DO's would be too pleased about this. Electronic notes
is after all a specific method of delivering a note taking service that has
additional cost implications for the HEI. If a student arrived at an institution
with a recommendation like this when the service did not currently exist,
would the DO be pleased? I suspect not.
However, perhaps this reaction should be discounted. If so we could be
entering a period where external assessors will be making other recommendations that
will put additional demands on universities.
Students often arrive for assessments with unrealistic expectations of what
the DSA can offer. I don't think it would help much if I unreasonably raise
their expectations of what their HEI can offer. OK, they could purchase the kit
but if they can't find staff that can touch type at any price in their area
then this service can't be provided.
Before Paddy jumps down my throat. I am raising this as a discussion point. I
am neither suggesting this is a good thing to tell HEI what services they
must offer or that we should duck the issue.
If DOs and, indeed, students, think that it is the role of assessors to
recommend services that SHOULD be offered but might not currently be available with
no regard to the actual circumstances of an HEI then Dave and I should
perhaps raise this at QAG and get it written into the criteria for assessments.
Yes, assessors can check to see if the HEI offers this service but that's not
the point I'm making. What about those who don't or can't resource such a
service?
Mick Trott
|