Excellent news!

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of BERNARD DOHERTY 
	Sent: Fri 30/01/2009 10:17 
	To: [log in to unmask] 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: Specialist software in exams
	
	
This discussion seems predicated on the idea that everyone's version of Dragon is several years old.  Actually, it is a simple matter to copy the user identity (in the shape of an audio file) from one computer to another, providing everyone is using a recent version of the software.  No extra training is involved, no secret files opened during an exam and it can be handled by anyone with a minimum of technical knowledge.
 
Doubters might consult the hugely detailed page created by Cambridge University Computing Service:
http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/docs/faq/y4.html
Readers will note that from at least version 8, Dragon has contained a straightforward tool to help users with this task.
 
Regards, Bernard
 
Bernard Doherty
Assessor
Cambridge Access Centre

--- On Fri, 30/1/09, Penny Georgiou <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


	From: Penny Georgiou <[log in to unmask]>
	Subject: Re: Specialist software in exams
	To: [log in to unmask]
	Date: Friday, 30 January, 2009, 8:45 AM
	
	
	Given the person power and effort that it needs to make it viable: close
	invigilation, careful set up beforehand, it is probably better to use a
	scribe...
	 
	Regards,
	
	PG
	 
	
		-----Original Message----- 
		From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf
	of Peter Hill 
		Sent: Thu 29/01/2009 19:59 
		To: [log in to unmask] 
		Cc: 
		Subject: Re: Specialist software in exams
		
		
		Hi
		
		The OU have been tussling with this issue for a while. However, it has just
	been resolved: in essence, invigilators will need to have some familiarity with
	the way the software operates and, obviously, they will need to be attentive. In
	addition, the dictation will be recorded using a digital recorder. A simple
	solution really!
		
		Regards
		
		Peter
		
		swift wrote: 
	
			You would have thought so!  I haven't known anyone use Dragon and not
			have 1-1 invigilation due to their circumstances.
			
			2009/1/29 Gareth Evans <[log in to unmask]>
	<mailto:[log in to unmask]> :
			  
	
				But if the room is invigilated, surely this won't be a problem?
				________________________________
				From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
				[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bryan Jones
				Sent: 29 January 2009 16:40
				To: [log in to unmask]
				Subject: Re: Specialist software in exams
				
				Use of Dragon in exams needs tight invigilation.   A student having trained
				up Dragon on the PC to be used in an exam, on their own as they do,  could
				conceivably also have added voice commands that would bring up large amounts
				of pre installed (copy and pasted) text.    Much easier than writing answers
				on ones shirt cuff.
				
				
				
				Bryan Jones,
				
				Manager, Disability Support Services
				
				& North London Regional Access Centre,
				
				Middlesex University
				
				Tel: 020 8411 5366
				
				
				
				From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
				[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Penny Georgiou
				Sent: 29 January 2009 11:55
				To: [log in to unmask]
				Subject: Re: Specialist software in exams
				
				
				
				Dear Emma,
				
				
				
				For students who need someone to read, it really is a very easy option to
				set up TextHELP or Claro Read to do the work.  Your university computer
				staff can organise this by installing the programme. Students here normally
				sit their examinations in computer rooms, using earphones to hear
				examination questions read aloud. Several students can be accommodated at
				the same time.
				
				
				
				The use of VR software is more tricky and cannot be done in a generic way,
				but one by one. It may be that a scribe is worth while option in these
				cases, or at least it will require a technically dedicated and confident
				colleague to see the process through it's teething...
				
				
				
				Regards,
				
				Penny
				
				
				
				From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
				[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Uden, Emma L.
				Sent: 29 January 2009 11:12
				To: [log in to unmask]
				Subject: Specialist software in exams
				
				
				
				Hi,
				
				I wondered how other HE institutions manage the arrangements for students
				who have been recommended software such as Dragon or screenreaders in
				examinations/in class tests. For example who provides the equipment and
				software, who sets this up ready for the exams-transfering voice files etc,
				do you have someone on standby in case of technical failure? Does anyone use
				a non medical helper as a scribe or reader instead?
				
				Feedback much appreciated,
				Emma.
				
				Emma Uden
				Disability Adviser
				Student Enabling Centre
				University of Wolverhampton
				Room Mb004, Student Gateway
				Stafford Street
				WV1 1SB
				Tel: 01902 321353
				Fax:01902 321021
				
				
				
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