Exam conditions - text to speech software on Chromebooks

[OffAndOnAgain]

Hi all,

 

Just having a bit of a brainstorm with a colleague now we've just been informed that Texthelp's Read&Write software can't really be used in exam conditions, as on Chromebooks it's a browser extension rather than an installable executable.

 

We're now looking for an alternative to Read&Write that can be used when we need to disable internet access - our SEN dept will be quite keen to use the same software on Windows as well because the user experience for the students needs to be the same between Windows and Chrome OS.

 

Is anyone successfully using reader software that doesn't need internet connectivity?

 

Thanks for any info!

[mavhc]

Isn't that all software on ChromeOS though?

 

Or are you using android/linux apps?

 

Can you set up an allow list?

[paulkerton]

We're currently testing ChromEx with an eye on using it more if the test is successful. From my use so far, you can specify whether individuals can use speech-to-text or text-to-speech as part of an exam.

 

https://www.chromex.io

[fredesq]

I feel like this should be challenged as the idea behind access arrangements are they provide the same enviroment to the student in the exam as they have access to all year.

Why can't we have a default deny all rule and allow a certain extension that connects to one URL? It doesn't make sense. Windows 10 built in Exam mode literally has this set up - it allows access to one website to take the exam on and thats it.

[mavhc]

The rule "you can't have internet access" actually means "You can't have access to stores of information that aren't in your brain", so an allow list to go to sites that aren't stores of information would be fine.

[gcoomber]

Fast forward to 2021 Exactly the same issue.

We were hoping to use the readwrite software in exams as a substitute for having to constantly replace expensive readerpens. The issue is of course with no intenet access allowed. My recent guideline from JCQ is as follows

"The key principle is that the candidate when using the laptop cannot access functions such as e-mail, cannot access any drives containing notes, class work and does not have access to the Internet to search for information during an examination."

 

We are looking at the kiosk option as a solution to uploading exam papers for students to access on the day. The issue with Read/write is the apparent need for internet access to run. has anyone got around this major stumbling block to TEXTHelps claim that readwrite is great for exams JCQ approved?

The students will be theoretically using their chrome books to "Read" the document on which they will login using specific Exam accounts that are locked down.

Has anyone had any real success using this program?

[paulkerton]

https://chromex.io/en/

 

Plus, text to speech is built into Chromebook, so can't you use that?

Surely the issue isn't blocking all internet access but using tools block everything except services needed that students can't directly access anyway (like APIs for text to speech tools)