Dear Jamie,

At the risk of being obvious – why not the equation editor in Word? He’s presumably already familiar with Word (or something very similar) for his other subjects. Word would allow him to type the textual parts of answers and (quite) easily insert equations as needed. It’s not as fast a handwriting equations but presumably he’ll be eligible for extra time anyway.

Phil

Phil Satchell
Assessment Centre Manager, Lancaster University.

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Emma Cliffe
Sent: 30 November 2015 15:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fwd: Help/training query - maths exam - software enquiry

Dear Jamie,

I wonder if http://www.efofex.com/ might work? I don't know if it can be used in examinations though as I am at higher education level. I do know that some students arrive at university having used this for computer production of equations etc. at school.

I would also be interested to know if this can be used in GCSE examinations.

However, I would also say that it will take time and practise to be able to type equations (in any format) effectively so do not underestimate the time required to acquire this skill. It would really need to become the student's every day way of working.

Kind regards,
Emma

On 30/11/15 15:16, Jamie Crabb wrote:

Dear Colleagues, 

If any of you could help with the query below in regards to Maths software to use in a GCSE exam it would be gratefully recieved. 

Best wishes,

Jamie 

Diversity and Ability

Date: 30 November 2015 at 13:01:14 GMT

To: Jamie Crabb <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: Help/training query

Hello Jamie, Thank you so much for your help. I am happy for you to put my query 'out there' as anon please.

My son uses a laptop as usual way 

of working.  He only has a scribe in maths exams and it can be anyone he never knows who. In maths class he writes as best as he can which is often illegible. But he refuses to have a scribe in class because he feels embarrassed and separated from everyone. They have also treated him as if he is not as able as he is.

Kind Regards Linda. 

Sent from Samsung Mobile

On 23 November 2015 at 14:01, 

Hi Jamie

Sorry I dont think I can help with the software part of this query. 

However, what I do remember from days as a GCSE Maths teacher and from my Access Arrangement training is that Maths symbols can’t be explained to the candidate in the exam, as understanding them is part of the assessment. 

The parent, candidate and school may benefit from looking together at the roles of readers and scribes. The roles are very precise and the scribe can’t read the paper, unless of course reader status has also been approved. Using a scribe in Maths is very particular as (depending on the exam board) marks are awarded for working out. Using a scribe does take practise and should be the candidates normal method of working.

Hope this helps a little.

Regards

On 20 Nov 2015, at 17:04

Dear Jamie, I wandered whether you would be able to help me. My son is 15 and has dyspraxia and aspergers as a result he has a scribe for maths. He uses a laptop for all other subjects and exams. He wants to continue with Maths but not a scribe. Could you help guide or train him to use the best package for maths.  I am clueless about this and am having difficulty finding out. He would also like to use a laptop for maths in gcse exam instead if scribe who he had difficulty explaining maths symbols etc. . .

Thank you, kind regards 

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