A site licence might help, where you could use the software in other rooms. However, although possible, voice recognition software is a bit tricky to organise for examinations. You will need some specific technical instructions to record and install a voice profile from the students home system to the University set up. The set up would also have to be tested with the student's voice prior to the examination. Ensure use of a good microphone, eg Platronics.
As an assessor, I tend to recommend a scribe for examinations because of this. Although, also as an assessor, I recommend that students discuss the examination arrangements with their institution as there may be other issues to consider.
A room alone is obviously essential. If you are required to do this often, then a site licence might be necesssary, or even a couple of single licences, if you have a single campus University. You could then set up stand alone machines for the examination period and then put them to their usual use afterwards.
An alternative might be to allow a student to record their answers and have them transcribed afterwards.
Use of textHELP is fairly easy, as you can
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Uden, Emma L.
Sent: Wed 14/02/2007 17:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Specialist Software in exams
I am finding it increasingly more common for students to be recommended the use of specialist software in exams for example Dragon Naturally Speaking. I was wondering how others arrange this? Who provides the equipment? In the Enabling Centre we do have a laptop with this software on but it is more often than not out on loan. The University also has such equipment in our adaptive technology room but if we start reserving this for exams is this unfair as it is preventing others from using the room?
Thanks,
Emma.
Emma Uden
Disability Adviser
Student Enabling Centre
University of Wolverhampton
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