As part of the Assistive Technology Service for supported students, we have a set of five ExamReader certified pens. These were purchased in September 2017 as a pilot after being successfully evaluated by The Assistive Technology and the Dyslexia Team, together with supported students. Compared to other models they are discreet, work at great accuracy without much technical input, promote independence and are compliant with exam boards in order to be used in exams to read or assist with reading.

“The introduction of further units allowed us to meet the current and future needs of our supported students and the development and continuous improvement of the Assistive Technology used. We are always looking at ways to make students more independent learners and this technology definitely helps them to achieve this”.

- Jonathan Kerry, Assistive Technology Service, Disability Services & Additional Learning Support

Sharing of Resource

In order to ensure the principle of NWW (Normal Way of Working) each student would need to have a reading pen used in the respective classes or sessions. This cannot just be provided for exams.

To promote independence in class and/or whilst studying independently in college and / or at home the student will need continuous access to the pen

One method we would like to offer further is for the student to collect before and after each subject session required, for instance we have this model working effectively for three supported students for their English classes.

This is followed up by regular intervention by the support tutor to ensure it is being used effectively. We would like to expand this in order to make the pens more widely used and available as a “collection” and “return” device across the necessary sessions. This runs alongside individual long-term loans.

Promoting independence and employability

• -  It promotes independence and the progression for students who received in class support at L1 which is not available on Level 2 courses.

• -  The pen using head phones enable to student to have read as much / or as little as they require, at any time, in any location. This is a resource which can be readily used in for study, in the workplace, on placement and when they become employed. It is relatively expensive and could possibly be purchased by the student when they begin employment.

• -  It is discrete and provides autonomy – the student does not require a reader; the student can be with other students (in class/ in exam rooms/ in the library) without risk of disturbing others or the need to for alternative locations

• -  It provides accessibility which reflects student skills in using technology as reasonable adjustments

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  Many students face difficulties in processing information and students with dyslexia can sometimes misread questions during exams or when completing independent work. This can lead them to write a great answer to the incorrect question, the reading pen greatly assists in minimising these mistakes and improving the learning outcomes for our supported students.

  Cost Benefits

• -  It provides a readily accessible anticipatory duty, minimal training is needed for its use

• -  It negates the need for learning assistants/ readers in class, where the student is ok to use a pen in place

• -  It negates the need for readers, separate rooms and invigilators for student, on every occasion the student sits an exam

• -  It negates the need for a JCQ application and associated work and assessment