We have an issue with a Mac speech input user. I am still to discover if they are using Dragon under a PC emulation in which case we don't have a problem, but if they are using MacSpeech then we do. We currently provide a laptop PC with Dragon for students who need to use this in exams. I think MacSpeech with Word on a Mac is suitably different to using Dragon on a PC (particularly for a hands free user), for us to have to consider buying a Mac to support this and other similar students, or should we just provide a scribe?
Barbara Denton
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Young, Ronnie
Sent: 24 February 2010 15:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Exams provision for mac using students
Since the introduction of the ribbon in Office the Mac and Windows versions of the suite may look quite different, depending on the version that the student is used to. Of more concern though may be the method of access. For example if a student is used to using VoiceOver on the Mac and is then asked to use JAWS, Hal or similar on a PC, then they may have problems.
Ronnie Young
Lead Technology Officer (Post 16)
RNIB Scotland
CSIP
17 Gullane Street
Glasgow
G11 6AH
0141 357 3525
www.rnib.org.uk/scotland
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Patrick Adams
Sent: 23 February 2010 16:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Exams provision for mac using students
Extra cost with reference to Mac computers is now very interesting. I would make 3 points:
1. The Mac now comes with full accessibility built in to the operating system so that extra cost of visual impairment assistive software is not required, whilst other groups of disabled users can gain complete access without, in most cases having to buy extra packages. This
2. I myself am totally blind and have been using the Mac for some time since the release of snow leopard operating system. I do not use Microsoft word on the Mac but a far less expensive option Works09 and Pages word processor. If a student were using a package such as Works09 it would be a completely different experience to using Microsoft word on the Mac.
3. It is now quite simple to run Windows applications on the Mac in a virtual machine environment. This would give added flexibility to a student only used to the Mac being able to run a Windows session.
If you assume that the cost of a notebook PC at approximately £400 then add the cost of jaws professional another £800 then compare it to the cost of an entry-level MacBook at £816 plus £75.00, the cost of Works 09 the Mac wins out hands down and you have not even bought Microsoft office for the Windows laptop.
Food for thought!
Patrick Adams
Assistive Technology Officer
University of Birmingham
Disability & Learning Support Service
3 Elms Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Tel: 0121 414 5130
Mobile: 07973 541724
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Simon Jarvis
Sent: 23 February 2010 12:15
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Exams provision for mac using students
As Queen Mary do not have any design based courses this is not something we've had to deal with as yet, but I don't suppose it'll be that long before someone brings this up.
Assuming we are talking about students using a computer in exams to word process their exam scripts, I think its pushing it for someone to say that they need a Mac given that they'll probably be using Word whichever platform they're using. I'm not a Mac user myself, but have seen Word on the Mac and it didn't seem fundamentally different to the PC version. As students are unlikely to be allowed to use functions like the spell checker in an exam then I don't think the argument that they need an Apple over a PC to type their answers would really wash.
We have a pool of loan equipment for students and I have considered buying some Powerbooks to augment this, but given their relative expense over PC equivalents and the likely response from the students - 'why can't I have a Mac if he got one?' - I have decided against it for now.
Simon
Natalya Dell wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm interested in thoughts as well as experience/practice on this one
> as it keeps coming up more and more.
>
> If a student has a mac provided through DSA or equivalent for whatever
> reason (accessibility/preference etc) how do other FE/HE institutions
> handle exam provision where they need to use a computer? What happens
> if the student expresses a strong preference, or indeed inability to
> use the usual Windows PCs?
>
> If your institution has no macs in the department or generally
> available do you provide macs for exams some other way?
>
> Those of you who have equipment loan schemes for disabled students,
> especially where laptops can be lent out, do you have any macs in there?
>
> I'm happy for replies on or off list.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Natalya Dell - Disability Resource Assistant, University of Birmingham.
--
Simon Jarvis
Head of Disability & Dyslexia Service
Queen Mary University of London
Student and Campus Services
Room FB 2.30, Francis Bancroft
Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Tel: 020 7882 2765
Fax: 020 7882 5223
www.scs.qmul.ac.uk
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