Hi Marie,
That’s very helpful.
Thank you
Pauline
From:
Sent: 14 July 2008 18:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Use of dictionaries in exams
Hi Pauline,
The ACE Spelling Dictionary is just spellings, and as far as I remember there are no definitions, so it might be useful. I have always
liked it, because the words are looked up by sounds and by counting the number of syllables, so Psychology is under ‘S’ in the section with 4 syllables. I know some university students who really like it, but others found that it didn’t contain enough words
as it is possibly aimed at school students. It might be worth checking it out as it would just provide spellings without the assistance provided via the definition. Although I’m not sure whether it would be useful in exams without practice with it beforehand.
Dyslexia Action sell it; it’s about £11, but gets cheaper if you buy more copies. I’ve included a link to it below.
http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/store/pc-213-14-the-ace-spelling-dictionary.aspx
Best wishes, Marie
From:
Sent: 14 July 2008 17:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Use of dictionaries in exams
Thanks
That’s very helpful and I didn’t know you were such an expert on rock formations in caves!!!
Regards
Pauline
From:
Sent: 14 July 2008 16:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Use of dictionaries in exams
The objection to dictionaries in exams is not so much about the assistance with spelling it provides but with the information
contained in the definitions. If, for example, a Geography / Geology student wanted to check the spelling of “stalagmite” the definition would also remind one that it is a deposit formed from the precipitation of calcium carbonate from lime rich water dripping
onto the floor of a cave. This would also tell you, by elimination, the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite (they’re the ones hanging down from the cavern roof) and which could be or great assistance with the exam question being addressed. Also,
using a conventional book dictionary can be very time consuming and frustrating especially in an exam as one needs have a reasonable idea of the spelling in the first place in order to locate the word (you won’t find “psychology” under “S”, for example).
But a good many students can’t spell without a computer spell checker these days, so as long as spelling is not critical to
the subject at hand and is intelligible then the tutors would probably be minded to disregard the errors. But best to ask the academics concerned, it’s their exam.
Bryan Jones,
Manager, Disability Support Services
&
Tel: 020 8411 5366
From:
Sent: 14 July 2008 15:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Use of dictionaries in exams
Dear All,
I sent e mails to the lists about this topic about a month ago, but unless I am much mistaken, I don’t think I received a reply, so I am trying again.
Here at Roehampton, we are considering allowing students with a Specific Learning Difficulty to use dictionaries in exams. Can anyone tell me if they do this as well and how well
the system has worked?
Regards
Pauline
Head of Disability Services
Student Services
SW15 5PJ
Tel: 020 8392 3366
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