Invigilating an exam

[Alexkelly]

I am having to invigilate a mock business + ICT exam, anyone else having the same fun as me?

[plexer]

Are you a teacher?

[jcollings]

As part of workforce reform teachers are specifically being used less and less for exam invigilation. Some schools seem to hire people in or use cover managers etc. Some seem to just spread it around other support staff.

[Alexkelly]

Nope but because computers are involved i have to be here, i dont get paid for it but still im sure you know how senior staff work

[Face-Man]

Does your food tech technician supervise the dinning hall ? if it is an open book exam does the librarian get involved ? Are DT on call in case they need to sharpen a pencil ? SLT

[dalsoth]

Not something i would let them rope me into really either.

 

School decides they want teachers to do even less work. School decide you should do more work. School decide that forcing you to do it saves them paying external people to come in. No wayyy, i have a network crash to deal with all of a sudden!!

[fafster]

All non-teaching staff here have been asked to do it also. Unfortunately it's in my contract to help out....

[Alexkelly]

Its only a one off exam that i have to help out because there using computers and to be honest with you it pays off as there have been a couple of issues so i dont mind helping.

[dalsoth]

Not in my contract here. I always provide technical support for use of computers for exams and such. I am always available and usually will stay close by for the first session or so and then make sure myself or someone else is ready to respond immediately if there is a call for help.

 

The bit i would not do is the actual invigiliation. Providing support is fine. Even happy to sit there during it, just would not take on the role of invigilator is all. Totally understand that sometimes it is not worth an argument for some though and for others it is in the contract.

[plexer]

Exactly I'm happy to sit there with laptop or whatever getting on with some of those jobs you never seem to have time to sit down and do, but actively invigilating no way.

 

Ben

[mjs_mjs]

Exactly I'm happy to sit there with laptop or whatever getting on with some of those jobs you never seem to have time to sit down and do, but actively invigilating no way.

 

Ben

 

we've just been asked to do it - and we've been told no laptops.... GRRR, i dont mind sitting there but it's isn't part of my job - anyone got any union advice?

[36Degrees]

we've just been asked to do it - and we've been told no laptops.... GRRR, i dont mind sitting there but it's isn't part of my job - anyone got any union advice?

 

No union advice but I'm pretty sure you have to have had proper invigilator training. I'll ask our exams officer.

[SteveBentley]

An annual bone of contention here.

 

If things don't get done, or stay broken for longer because you're sat on your backside invigilating rather than doing your job, don't go out of your way to accomodate them, just do your normal hours and refer all complainants to the powers that be.

[korifugi]

I've "Kept an eye on" a few online exams in the past - while not strictly in my job description I never really minded doing it as you can see them reading the questions, hovering the pointer over the correct answer (to your thoughts of "Yes! That one Thaaaaaat Oneeeee!") for them to pick something that is completely wrong. At which point you usually perform a mental facepalm.

 

You do get a good feeling when they get them right and pass with flying colours though...

[36Degrees]

Sorry but it's only a recommendation from the Exam boards not a requirement.

[fafster]

I've just been given a timetable for the exams. Due to new rules, the school can only pay a set amount for invigilators (think it's only just above minimum wage). So most non-teaching staff are called in to help out.

 

Hey, if they think my time's better spent pacing a room rather than doing my job, who am I to complain.

[featured_spectre]

I would ask for the extra pay on top of your salary, or you wont do it. I did that and suddenly my services as an invigilator were no longer needed! ;-)

[36Degrees]

Hey, if they think my time's better spent pacing a room rather than doing my job, who am I to complain.

 

Do you think they'll expect you to do all the system support tasks as well as invigilating?

[Linfit]

All exam boards recommend that for on-line exams or those involving extensive use of IT (such as the Business Studies Practical) technical support is readily available, but they leave it up to the centres to make detailed arrrangements about how this is done. "...the centre will need to identify how they will ensure that when tests are being operated, the necessary technical support can be provided at short notice to handle immediate software or hardware problems." is how Edexcel phrase it.

This does not mean that technician support needs to be available in the room, merely that it is easily and quickly obtained. There is also a clear distinction between being an invigilator and being there to provide tech support; if you are there as an invigilator you cannot do anything else whilst you are in the room, and should have had appropriate training and a briefing on the exam and its requirements. One person cannot act as both; if you are problem solving you are not invigilating, and so the two roles are mutually exclusive.

[fafster]

Do you think they'll expect you to do all the system support tasks as well as invigilating?

 

Most of the time people are told that I'm in the exam, and they have to wait until I finish in there. If it's urgent, then someone covers me whilst I go and see to it.

[joe90bass]

There is also a clear distinction between being an invigilator and being there to provide tech support; if you are there as an invigilator you cannot do anything else whilst you are in the room, and should have had appropriate training and a briefing on the exam and its requirements. One person cannot act as both; if you are problem solving you are not invigilating, and so the two roles are mutually exclusive.

 

I shall remember that, very well put!

 

I don't invigilate any exam, but do 'hang around' in the room for online exams. Last year we had one PC crash, and one or two other minor issues. Exams are stressful enough without pupils having to wait for me or the tech to be found to fix things. I think I spent the time reading, sorry meant researching, on Edugeek!!