Techno savvy pupils should do their exams on computers
28.02.2011
GCSE and A Level exams should be done on computers, according to qualifications regulator Ofqual.
Isabel Nisbet, chief executive of Ofqual, told the Times Educational Supplement (TES) that all examinations should be computerised in the future to cater for increasingly “techno savvy” students. Nisbet is concerned that GCSEs and A Levels will become invalid without the move, as most pupils learn through ICT, rather than traditional pen and paper.
Exam bodies Edexcel and the Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA) welcomed Nisbet’s comments, and the Examinations Officers’ Association has said that computerisation will speed up marking and reduce errors.
With many schools using their existing gyms or assembly halls for examinations, schools are likely to opt for laptops rather than PCs when offering computerised exams. Schools will need to invest in power and charging resources to allow laptops to be used for long periods of time, without resulting in messy, and dangerous, cables littering the floor.
The LapCharger™ from LapSafe® Products is a power and charging resource for laptops or netbooks, providing simultaneous battery charging and safe power for up to 10 devices from a single, central desk position. The LapCharger™ will eradicate flat laptop batteries and allow pupils to carry on working safely through long exams. Plugged into one central point, the LapCharger™ will reduce the amount of cables running along the floor, providing an important health and safety service.
Every LapCharger™ is configured to suit a specific make and model of laptop or netbook. It features 10 individual cables, therefore a maximum capacity of 10 devices being charged at once, in the fastest possible time. These 10 fixed cables provided are available either 1.5m or 3m in length.
The LapCharger™has a temperature controlled fan system and effective ventilation, so it will not overheat. It comes with small LED lights indicating the charging status.
The LapCharger™ incorporates a standard security slot and has been designed to ensure ventilation cannot be blocked, nor power connections damaged, and features built-in handles for easier transportation.
The LapCharger™ meets all required British Safety Standards and is fully CE Certified.