Word processor facilities for exams

[fiza]

We seem to have more and more students that require a word processor for their exam. Currently we have been told 12 students will need to type their exam.

How do you guys deal with this? Do you provide laptops in the Exam hall? We primarily use Chromebooks so only have a handful of laptops so cannot cater for this.

[synaesthesia]

Standard laptops, pre-allocated exam accounts locked down with no internet etc and Examwritepad. Works wonders.

[fiza]

Standard laptops, pre-allocated exam accounts locked down with no internet etc and Examwritepad. Works wonders.

 

Do you have laptops set aside for this? We just don't have enough Laptops to do this. We primarily use Chromebooks here.

[synaesthesia]

We have a few laptops set aside yes but generally use a laptop trolley as we now typically have 20-30 required.

[fiza]

We have a few laptops set aside yes but generally use a laptop trolley as we now typically have 20-30 required.

 

Are the laptops then left on battery power for the duration of the exam? What if a laptop battery dies during the exam?

If you plug them in how do you manage to plug in 20-30 laptops in the exam hall?

[synaesthesia]

The batteries last easily (would be worried even if they didn't last for a 2 hour exam) and levels are checked before starting. We have had one that wasn't checked though which indeed died, but it took under a minute to whip out another laptop and log on - EWP automatically saves every 60 seconds so very little, if any work lost. No trailing cables - that's a thought that we've pondered and one we'd not like to visit!

 

I shall point out we're lucky to be able to have this facility - this time last year we had 2 maybe 3 requirements for word processor assistance in exams and could cover that, and we didn't have any laptop trolleys or mobile devices whatsoever and it's by pure chance that we converted an ICT suite to a classroom with a decent amount of laptops this year. I suspected when the lists came through for those that needed assistance we'd have had to fork out.

[mavhc]

Why can't you use the chromebooks?

[fiza]

Why can't you use the chromebooks?

Never tried. Can the Chromebooks be locked down so no internet access & no spell check? We don't have printing enabled from the Chromebooks either as their usual function is to give access to Google Drive and Google Classroom.

[CHiLL]

The use of laptops is supposed to be that student's 'normal way of working' (even though that's not always the case). So we have a list of students who are entitled to use a laptop (which in our school is quite a few).

 

We have 24 Windows laptops that have been bought specifically for SEN students. So once they're on the SEN register they are allocated a laptop, which can be used in lessons and also taken home.

 

As we have more students using laptops in exams than have actually taken laptops from their allocation, we have them stored in our office. So we just set these up in the exam room. The accounts they use are heavily locked down and they use @ass17's excellent Exam WritePad application.

[robyholmes]

The use of laptops is supposed to be that student's 'normal way of working' (even though that's not always the case). So we have a list of students who are entitled to use a laptop (which in our school is quite a few).

 

We have 24 Windows laptops that have been bought specifically for SEN students. So once they're on the SEN register they are allocated a laptop, which can be used in lessons and also taken home.

 

As we have more students using laptops in exams than have actually taken laptops from their allocation, we have them stored in our office. So we just set these up in the exam room. The accounts they use are heavily locked down and they use @ass17's excellent Exam WritePad application.

 

Pretty much exactly the same for us. SEN laptops used by students on a 'Laptop List' which are then given that option for the exam. ExamWritePad is used in combination with special exam accounts which are locked down with AppLocker. They run on battery and so long as the battery is good they'll last. We make sure the brightness is all the way down at the start of the exam to save battery and stop people sat further away seeing the screen (Laptop uses are at the back of the hall on double tables)

[3s-gtech]

In IT we have a batch of laptops (15) of the same make and model as those provided in departments for students that need them - i.e. it's their normal way of working for that subject. For exams we can then match that familiarity. These machines use a locked down exams account which saves to memory stick so that the exams officer can easily and securely obtain their script. We use Word with many of the options locked out which works okay.

 

The exam hall has power outlets, and we never risk running them on battery alone.

[Pink_Panda]

In IT we have a batch of laptops (15) of the same make and model as those provided in departments for students that need them - i.e. it's their normal way of working for that subject. For exams we can then match that familiarity. These machines use a locked down exams account which saves to memory stick so that the exams officer can easily and securely obtain their script. We use Word with many of the options locked out which works okay.

 

The exam hall has power outlets, and we never risk running them on battery alone.

 

As @3s-gtech above

 

students using laptops are in separate rooms from the rest of the cohort due to other access arrangements, we have about 10 in year 11, and another 10 in KS5

Edited February 26, 2020 by Pink_Panda

[mavhc]

Never tried. Can the Chromebooks be locked down so no internet access & no spell check? We don't have printing enabled from the Chromebooks either as their usual function is to give access to Google Drive and Google Classroom.

 

https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/3273084?hl=en is general stuff, still need a note taking app though, probably something around that can be installed, will be local so won't rely on internet connectivity once logged in.

[fiza]

What does everyone do for printing the scripts?

The JCQ regs say that the candidate should be present when printing to confirm that the script is theirs.

 

14.25 A word processor:

a) must be used as a typewriter, not as a database, although standard formatting software is acceptable;

 

b) must have been cleared of any previously stored data, as must any portable storage medium used. An unauthorised memory stick must not be used by a candidate.Where required, the centre must provide a memory stick to the candidate, which is cleared of any previously stored data;

 

c) must be in good working order at the time of the examination;

 

d) must be accommodated in such a way that other candidates are not disturbed and cannot read the screen. Where a candidate using a word processor is accommodated in another room, a separate invigilator will be required;

 

e) must either be connected to a printer so that a script can be printed off, or have the facility to print from a portable storage medium. This must be done after the examination is over.The candidate must be present to verify that the work printed is his or her own.

Edited February 26, 2020 by fiza

[mavhc]

Tell them to print it, and wait to sign it

[CHiLL]

What does everyone do for printing the scripts?

The JCQ regs say that the candidate should be present when printing to confirm that the script is theirs.

Currently we use locked down network accounts and at the end of the exam, an invigilator comes to our office and tells us which exam accounts were used. I can browse to the home folders of those accounts and print the work and hand it to the invigilator. They then take it back to the students, where they sign it. If there's only one invigilator, they will escort the students to our office where we print it and they sign it.

 

My to-do list includes getting the students to print it and an invigilator or exams officer can release/collect them - I just haven't got round to that yet.

[Pink_Panda]

What does everyone do for printing the scripts?

The JCQ regs say that the candidate should be present when printing to confirm that the script is theirs.

 

Students get escorted by invigilator to exams office or SEN office whichever is closer, then print off documents on one of the computers there. They put one copy with the question paper to be sent off, a second copy is placed in an envelope that the students write their name and date over the seal, then gets taped up and locked away in exam secure room. This is in case a wp paper gets lost which has happened to us before.