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ExamReaderUK|Case Studies - Colleges & Universities|Bradford College
ExamReaderUK|Case Studies - Colleges & Universities|Bradford College
Disability Services & Additional Learning Support
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
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- It promotes independence and the progression for students who received in
class support at L1 which is not available on Level 2 courses.
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- 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.
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- 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
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- 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
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- It provides a readily accessible anticipatory duty, minimal training is needed
for its use
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- It negates the need for learning assistants/ readers in class, where the
student is ok to use a pen in place
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- It negates the need for readers, separate rooms and invigilators for student,
on every occasion the student sits an exam
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- It negates the need for a JCQ application and associated work and
assessment
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