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SPUK|Resources|Education|Higher Education|Case Studies|New College Swindon
SPUK|Resources|Education|Higher Education|Case Studies|New College Swindon
John Bacon Skills Development Centre Manager
Over the past years we have experienced ongoing difficulties recruiting support staff for the classroom. This has led to a logistical nightmare trying to organize the few support staff to ensure continual support is provided to those requiring support in-class, especially with reading.
After attending the BDA International Conference 2018 and seeing the various stands of companies promoting their supportive equipment, I was drawn to the Scanning Pens stall. After receiving an equipment demonstration and collecting leaflets on the various scanning pens on offer I returned to New College, Swindon to present a proposed solution to my line manager for our support staff shortage.
We decide to purchase two ReaderPens to test their viability and ease of use with students. The two pens were an instant hit and were constantly in demand the only problem was they could not be used during exams, so we decided to buy a classroom set of ten ExamReader pens.
The ReaderPens allowed us to continue supporting our learners reading weaknesses by training them on the use of the reading pen and increasing their independence and confidence with tackling difficult words on their own without the support of an adult. This has been a key focus for the development of our learners, and we feel we are allowing students to become more independent and responsible in their studies and preparation for higher education or the workplace.
At New College we allow the library to manage the distribution of the reading pens throughout the year (once the learner has been diagnosed with a need) and if a student uses the pen as their normal way of working they can keep the pen out for the whole academic year, this also allows them to practice using the pen when completing work at home. They then become responsible for keeping the pen charged and taking it to the lesson or exam. The simplicity of use and the discreteness of the pen is a huge positive of the pen, alongside its continual upgrades to the software prolonging its use and longevity in the education sector.
We have since enhanced our numbers currently to 46 pens and use them throughout the college with learners of all ages from 14 (Pre 16) to adult learners in their 50’s.
Student A
“The reading pen has increased my confidence, especially in mathematics as sometimes I would leave questions due to struggling to decode words accurately. Now I simply scan the word, assimilate the meaning, and answer the question confidently. The pen is something I can use when I leave college, and this should help me in the workplace and in daily life with identifying those troublesome words.”
The cost of the individual pens out ways the benefits received from a student and management perspective. The pens have been instrumental with increasing confidence, independence and self-esteem with the students using them. The pens will pay for themselves over time as we can reduce costs for in-class support and when paying for invigilators during exam periods.
Using assistive technology is creating an increased awareness of promoting, preparing and equipping our learners with the correct tools and strategies for the 21st Century.
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