Student's own keyboard for an exam

[Jawloms]

Really wasn't sure where to put this one.......

 

We have a student who is allowed a laptop for their exams and has asked if they can bring in their own keyboard from home to use as they find it a lot more comfortable to use than the laptop one. It's a CoolerMaster SK621. I see no issue with it initially, but am aware that these things can record macros and do other clever stuff. The macros to me look like just a few key strokes, but I just felt I should check that there's no potential for him to have stored info on it which he can then generate in to what he's using to type his exam. Obviously we block memory sticks, so even if someone brought a keyboard in which also presented storage that wouldn't work, it is just the macro stuff I'm thinking about. Do the macro bits require a driver to work, or is it entirely dealt with by the keyboard? Should we be allowing this? Is there guidance somewhere?

 

Thank you

[3s-gtech]

I'd say it's okay as long as you're allowed to delete all of the macros:

 

https://coolermaster.egnyte.com/dl/JtVIPD3ebg

[36Degrees]

I'd speak to your Exams Manager and get them to email JCQ. That way everyone is covered.

[jthompson]

If it were me, I'd be tempted to offer a regular desktop keyboard from spares instead, and close the door on any other such requests that might come creeping in.

[Jawloms]

If it were me, I'd be tempted to offer a regular desktop keyboard from spares instead, and close the door on any other such requests that might come creeping in.

 

Apparently it's the fact it's a mechanical one which he prefers the feel of. I am wary of opening the flood gates to such requests, but at the same time if it's a one off where is the harm? I also wonder with this student if there's an element of "it'll be a cool thing to tell my mates and show off my £140 keyboard".

 

I spoke to our exams officer who said she believes JCQ will say it's fine so long as it's memory can be wiped beforehand, much like calculators, but she'll check.

[simpsonj]

Aren't mechanical keyboards significantly louder than standard keyboards? Might be another factor to think about.

[Jawloms]

Aren't mechanical keyboards significantly louder than standard keyboards? Might be another factor to think about.

 

Yes, but he's in a room on his own (except the invigilator). If he was in with others it would have been a straight 'no'.

[Rob_D]

Aren't mechanical keyboards significantly louder than standard keyboards? Might be another factor to think about.

Depends on the style. The Keyboard the OP is talking about only has non-clicky options (MX red or MX speed) so they shouldn't be much louder than a normal keyboard.

[jthompson]

Some key switches are clicky, some are non-clicky.

[SamanthaD]

If it's been accepted for use then I'd suggest the school purchases one for them to use . That way the keyboard's memory etc can be monitored, it's controlled and the student gets the experience they need to take the exam without stress.

[Jawloms]

If it's been accepted for use then I'd suggest the school purchases one for them to use . That way the keyboard's memory etc can be monitored, it's controlled and the student gets the experience they need to take the exam without stress.

 

I am not spending £140 on a keyboard.......

[midweek]

I always understood the provision of equipment in the exam was "where it is their normal way of working within the centre". I'm guessing the £140 keyboard doesn't get plugged in every time the pupil uses a device in school so the provision of a standard keyboard should suffice.

[sigma]

I imagine the pupil could spend the entire exam reconfiguring the colours.

[Ironside]

I can see why they would ask, shy bairns get nowt, but the macros and the potential unfair advantage of letting one student use personal equipment when others use school equipment is a non-starter I reckon.

[Rob_D]

I can see why they would ask, shy bairns get nowt, but the macros and the potential unfair advantage of letting one student use personal equipment when others use school equipment is a non-starter I reckon.

We let kids use their "personal equipment" in exams all the time, it's not like everyone is issued a standard, slightly used biro on the way into a hand-written exam (heck, the number of kids we have bringing soft toys in as "good luck charms"). Assuming it fits within regulations why not extend that to computer equipment?

(In this specific case, the macros would make it a non-starter for me.)

[Steve21]

We let kids use their "personal equipment" in exams all the time, it's not like everyone is issued a standard, slightly used biro on the way into a hand-written exam (heck, the number of kids we have bringing soft toys in as "good luck charms"). Assuming it fits within regulations why not extend that to computer equipment?

(In this specific case, the macros would make it a non-starter for me.)

 

This seemed a good point to show you this image of an exam back in October in Spain. You say "slightly used biro", I say cheat apparatus!

 

 

Steve

[jthompson]

I can't really read Spanish. Does that say "I am a fish. I am a fish. I am a fish. I am a fish..."?

[msi_school]

I can understand why you would want to provide your own keyboard, most people have quite a preference for a particular key feel and I would hate to do multiple hours typing even without my future hanging in the balance with a soggy feeling keyboard.

 

Having said that I would tell the exam office about the request and my concerns regarding macros and make it their problem.

[Rob_D]

This seemed a good point to show you this image of an exam back in October in Spain. You say "slightly used biro", I say cheat apparatus!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]68498[/ATTACH]

Steve

But we don't issue students with a school pen. Although looking at that, perhaps we should... and then make exceptions for students who need the funky shaped pens to write with.