At UCN we now use typists to provide amanuensis in exams. Typing can be
faster and more legible than handwriting, and the students prefer it as they
can see what is being written in real time. The only concern is the
possibility that we may be providing an unfair advantage to these students.
Are there health & safety implications of students being expected to write
for 3 hours without a break in exams - sometimes twice in one day?
Clare Davies
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>From: Michael Trott <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Amanuensis Work
>Date: Tue, Jan 15, 2002, 3:34 pm
>
> In a message dated 15/01/02 11:47:59 GMT Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> <<
> Asking the student to break from the exam simply to suit the stamina of the
> amanuensis seems perverse.
> >>
> I think you have to keep in mind the fact that anamanuensis is an employee
> and as an employer one has a legal duty to ensure that they are working in a
> safe environment. Few employers would expect their employees to write
> continuously without a break for 2 to 3 hours. At the same time, the
> amanuensis has a duty to write down what the student says. It is entirely
> possible that the amanuensis could be obliged to write at a speed which
> causes pain or discomfort. While many students will pace themselves, they may
> be unaware that they are making unreasonable demands on an amanuensis.
> This may be a rare occurrence as not all students will dictate this quickly.
> However, it should not be dismissed out of hand.
> Mick Trott
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