The Chromebook solution for exam access arrangements
Making exams and assessments more accessible for students using Chromebooks
What are exam access arrangements?
Accommodations are changes or adjustments to the instructional environment, curriculum, or assessment that make it possible for all students to participate and learn.
Accommodations can be put into place for a variety of reasons - such as a student's disability, cultural background, English language proficiency, or reading level. The goal of accommodations is always the same: to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
More often, we’re seeing technology being chosen as an accommodation, over the traditional human reader or scribe. According to The Joint Council for Qualifications, JCQ, “Sencos may wish to consider the use of technology to a much greater extent instead of readers and scribes. Computer readers, examination reader pens, speech recognition technology and word processors not only allow candidates to work independently but are also a better preparation for further and higher education in the world of employment.”
Why use a computer reader in exams?
A computer reader is a digital reading tool that can be used in place of a human reader that requires no training. It can be used with any word processor to read exam questions aloud, under exam conditions.
A computer reader is a secure way to allow all students to demonstrate their mastery of the subject, without compromising the integrity of the examination. As it’s a student’s normal way of working, the tool, and the voice associated with it, won’t be alien to the student on the day of their exam.
The JCQ Access Arrangements state that, “For a candidate with a disability or a learning difficulty, a computer reader may allow them to demonstrate their attainment more effectively and independently than would be possible with a reader. However, a computer reader must be appropriate to the candidate’s needs. There must be sufficient time and training to ensure the candidate is able to use a computer reader effectively”
You can read the access arrangements in full on the JCQ website. (Pg 49 5.5.1)
Using OrbitNote as an exam scribe
OrbitNote’s tools can also be used as a speech recognition or dictation tool in place of a Scribe that requires no training, and can be used with any interactive exam paper to facilitate accurate dictation under exam conditions. Computer based speech recognition (dictation) can be considered an “Access Arrangement”, or a “reasonable adjustment” - allowing those candidates/learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment. Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments for candidates based on evidence of need and normal way of working and include the use of computer readers, technology, human readers or scribes.
What does JCQ say?
“Where the centre has approval for the use of a scribe and where it reflects the candidate’s normal way of working within the centre, as appropriate to his/her needs, the candidate may alternatively use speech recognition technology with predictive text when the candidate dictates into a word processor.”
You can read more on the access arrangements in the JCQ guidelines.
Using OrbitNote as an exam accommodation on Chromebooks
OrbitNote securely supports students and meets the JCQ access arrangements guidelines as a ‘normal way of working’ accommodation. It helps you save time, reduce costs and give students the support they need in exams.
OrbitNote, when used on Chromebooks, can be used in line with the JCQ regulations that govern examinations in the UK.
Our easy-to-use exam mode allows easy restriction of features. So that students will only be able to access specific, approved features during their interactive exam, protecting the integrity of the testing scenario.
Please note: advance approval to use OrbitNote as an exam accommodation is now required. You can apply for this via Access Arrangements Online.
Setting up an exam paper using OrbitNote
Check out this short video which guides you through the process of setting up an exam paper using OrbitNote.
Protects the integrity of the exam
OrbitNote’s exam mode protects the integrity of the examination on Chromebooks by limiting student access exclusively to the exam papers. The OrbitNote toolbar is restricted to the approved features that meet with JCQ access arrangements guidelines, such as text-to-speech and dictation.
Levels the playing field for every student
OrbitNote’s exam mode protects the integrity of the examination on Chromebooks by limiting student access exclusively to the exam papers. The OrbitNote toolbar is restricted to the approved features that meet with JCQ access arrangements guidelines, such as text-to-speech and dictation.
A seamless process
Thanks to its integration with Google Classroom, creating an exam takes only a couple of minutes, reducing the administration stress on exam day. And when students turn in their exam paper, the documents are centrally available for the approved person to print them out.
Who can use OrbitNote as a computer reader in exams
OrbitNote can be used as an “access arrangement” or “reasonable adjustment”. This allows candidates with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the exam, or compromising the integrity of the assessment. Access arrangements are pre-examination adjustments for candidates. These adjustments are based on evidence of needs and must be a student’s normal way of working.
Where can OrbitNote be used as a computer reader?
OrbitNote can be used on Chromebooks as a computer reader in paper based exams. This is in line with JCQ Access Arrangements (including those where digital copies, for example PDFs, are made available).
A computer reader may also be used in online exams where permitted by the awarding body and the examination integrity is maintained.
Please contact us for the full details on how best to achieve this. For regional use, outside of JCQ scope, please check your exams awarding body, or contact us for more information.
Are you ready to find out more about OrbitNote?
If you have any questions about Exam access arrangements or using OrbitNote as a computer reader in exams, then please complete this form.
If your exams are governed by SQA in Scotland, please complete this form to find out how OrbitNote can be used in your region.