chromebooks

[Lucy_B]

We're looking to use Chromebooks to potentially replace aging Laptops for students who use them for exams.

I know you can Lock Chromebook down to open specific forms so was thinking you could do the same with a google doc?

 

They need to be able to do the following:

- work offline (so no internet access)

- No spellchecker

 

I've currently yet to find away but was hoping someone else may have come close?

[HC_Netman]

Not exactly what you are asking for but have you tried https://www.trelson.com/

 

We use this for our Chromebook exams and it has been fantastic.

[Ditto]

Yes, Trelson, formerly known as ChromEx is used by several on Edugeek and it seems fit for purpose. I have setup ChromeBooks in Kiosk mode before with a few other settings, but I wouldn't say that's fit for real exams. It's OKi for mocks and alike, but although it has a cost, Trelson would be a far better approach and probably pay for itself in reduced admin (a.k.a. hassle!).

[Lucy_B]

Thanks for getting back to me so quick on this! I'll check Treslon out and hopefully this answers our exam officers worries ^^'

[paulkerton]

Trelson is excellent. There are a few things it could do better in regards to management, but they're constantly improviing so I'd imagine improvements aren't far away.

 

Your exams people may freak out that it's "online" but explain to them the walled garden nature of it and you should be fine!

[junz]

Yes, Trelson, formerly known as ChromEx is used by several on Edugeek and it seems fit for purpose. I have setup ChromeBooks in Kiosk mode before with a few other settings, but I wouldn't say that's fit for real exams. It's OKi for mocks and alike, but although it has a cost, Trelson would be a far better approach and probably pay for itself in reduced admin (a.k.a. hassle!).

 

Why Isn't it suitable for real exams?

[Ditto]

Why Isn't it suitable for real exams?

Kiosk mode? For me, I don't think I achieved the level of control I needed. From memory, and it is a while ago, we had a link to a blank Google Doc, for pupils to enter their responses, but a power loss or closed chromebook led to lost work. I suspect it could be made to work, but I didn't have the time and expertise to cover all scenarios. I feel a commercial product with the level of expertise they have, along with feedback from users that had used Chromex was the better approach overall.

[junz]

Kiosk mode? For me, I don't think I achieved the level of control I needed. From memory, and it is a while ago, we had a link to a blank Google Doc, for pupils to enter their responses, but a power loss or closed chromebook led to lost work. I suspect it could be made to work, but I didn't have the time and expertise to cover all scenarios. I feel a commercial product with the level of expertise they have, along with feedback from users that had used Chromex was the better approach overall.

 

This isn't correct. The docs are saved on the device and on the cloud every few seconds so if there was a power loss you would be able to receiver the work.

[Ditto]

This isn't correct. The docs are saved on the device and on the cloud every few seconds so if there was a power loss you would be able to receiver the work.

 

Perhaps it was internet loss. For sure I couldn't get it to a level it was suitable for real exams, but I'm more than happy to learn how you can achieve that.

[dmj]

I've had good experiences with digiexam when we were doing this: https://www.digiexam.com/

[fiza]

We have used Trelson for a number of years now and can't fault it. Speak to c-learning and they should be able to get you a trial. https://www.c-learning.net/what-we-do/software/

[jthompson]

Quick question about Trelson - is it something that could be set up such that users could use it whenever they like? One of the caveats for exams is that candidates using a word processor need to have gained familiarity with the tool prior to using it in their exams. With EWP, we leave that installed on the machines year round, so that students are free to try it out without needing to have an arranged session.

[Lucy_B]

Thanks everyone. we use C-learning for a GWfE Licence so if we could have that all under one roof that would be great.

I'll take a look at https://www.digiexam.com/ as well as this looks good as well.

[fiza]

Quick question about Trelson - is it something that could be set up such that users could use it whenever they like? One of the caveats for exams is that candidates using a word processor need to have gained familiarity with the tool prior to using it in their exams. With EWP, we leave that installed on the machines year round, so that students are free to try it out without needing to have an arranged session.

The way we use it; We are a Google school and we have seperate "exam" logins that the students who require word processing get allocated to use for their exams. The Trelson Manager sets up the exam and then adds the student logins to it. The students then login to Chromebooks which are in a specific OU that autoloads the Trelson environment and doesnt allow students to leave the environment.

It's not something we install and students can use on a daily basis but students are familiar with word processers and this is just another basic word processor.

[Ditto]

For those that use Chromebooks for real exams, I'm out of date by about 4 years, but I recall the JCQ guidance being very old school and PC/laptop bias back then - has that improved?

[dmj]

For those that use Chromebooks for real exams, I'm out of date by about 4 years, but I recall the JCQ guidance being very old school and PC/laptop bias back then - has that improved?

 

Can't comment about the current situation but I do recall a mutually exclusive phrase along the lines of "network access is not permitted" shortly followed by something about mandating the use of centralised printers. None of it really made any sense and whichever way you went you'd break a rule. We just went with what we believed reasonable.