Dear Nicola,
> What is your policy on offering rest breaks to students in addition to
> extra time ? We generally agree this for students if it is recommended by
> a needs assessor / medical professional, or if we feel that it is
> necessary, however it can create a logistical nightmare due to the lack
> of available rooms, and the requirement for additional invigilators etc.
> Any comments on how this is handled in other universities would be greatly
> appreciated.
Our central exams can handle extra time and rest breaks up to 50%
"possible extra exam length" centrally which takes a lot of stress off us.
Also means they provide the invigilators at a slightly higher density than
regular exam halls to account for toilet breaks etc.
We find extra time AND rest breaks useful for students with conditions
which cause them some impact to writing time such as fatigue or pain but
also need to get up and move around or have co-morbid inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD) type things going on. I've seen this commonly used in
students with CFS/ME/fibromyalgia/MS etc. The rest breaks mean they can
access toilet facilities or move around/stretch without feeling they lose
the extra writing time.
What we can't accommodate centrally yet (if they get the numbers of
requests it may be reconsidered) is where a student needs extra time, rest
breaks and use of a PC which is not entirely uncommon. This becomes a
departmental sit which I know is getting numerous enough to cause some
departments considerable stress trying to find enough quiet rooms for
this.
We often get needs assessments saying "separate sit" which when we talk to
the student is possible as centrally managed extra time + rest breaks or
combinations of those because the rooms are smaller. We prefer central
sits where possible as central exams boss has the ability to request
cessation of building works and other noise sources whereas in departments
it is often impossible to find a quiet space. Also I find the quality of
invigilation in department sits is much less consistent (usually poorer
but sometimes better) than central exams ones.
If you have numbers is it possible for your central exams to assist here?
We'll probably be trying that on extra time, RB + computer this year to
see if it's possible.
Natalya
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