In asking the question earlier re laptops I was in fact aware of the directives and this was one of the main factors that prompted the request for information in the first place, but as I said in the data I had available was confusing to say the least. The response I have seen to date falls more on the higher use of laptop and their growing preference for supply by assessors. As has been pointed out laptops are often requested by the student and occasionally they are prepared to pay the extra, the volume supplied in this catagory is unknown though one supplier seems to think it is not significant.
The indications to date are therefore clear- the increasing supply of laptops is based almost entirely on assessors recommendations, not the willingness of the student to pay the extra. Although I suspect that the DFE recommendations are partly based on the known cost - performance limitations of the laptop, the ergonomic problems associated with the machines does not seem to be a factor in limiting their supply despite extensive research and clinical proof regarding their potential to cause physical damage and distress.
Another factor that also seems to be ignored in peoples preference toward laptops is their inability to support some forms of ODL and E - learning resources further limiting it's flexibility and benefit.
During a period where standards and guidlines are the order of the day it does seem to indicate that even if guidlines are introduced they may not have the desied effect.
Terry Hart
Assessor for Information Technology
& Specialist Stratagies (Disabilities)
Disability Assist Services
University of Plymouth
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Bernard Doherty
Sent: Mon 19/01/2004 13:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: Laptops
It seems to surprise many students and the advisers who talk to them
before coming for assessment, but the choice of computer is not a
matter of the assessor's whim or the student's fancy. There is clear
guidance from the DfES that unless there are established disability or
learning difficulty reasons for doing otherwise, students should have
desktop machines. Those interested in reading the guidance should go
to page 8 of
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/administrators/pdf/ACFDE7.pdf
I have arguments virtually every day about this issue and I'm heartily
tired of it. I wish everyone who believes that notebooks are
thoroughly reliable and appropriate machines for students to be using
would pester the DfES to change their advice. I wish they would stop
expecting ACCESS Centre advisers to act as if they were unaware of the
limits imposed on LEA award officers.
----------------------
Bernard Doherty
Student Adviser
ACCESS Centre
Anglia Polytechnic University
Tel: 01223 363271 x2534
Fax: 01223 417730
Minicom: 01223 576155
[log in to unmask]
|