Use of Computers under Alternative Arrangements for Examinations - Alternative Arrangements for Assessment (AAA's) - Disability Liaison Unit (DLU)

Guidelines for use of computers in exams

Students requesting the use of a computer in examinations must provide documentation supporting this requirement from the professional responsible for the coordination or management of their condition.

The documentation should include a definition of health and/or general circumstances and a statement about current status, prognosis and what type of accommodations the student requires in order to participate in university study. The DLU does not accept documentation from a family member or close personal friend of the student.

Students should be aware of the risks associated with using a computer in exam conditions. Eg power failure, and computer malfunction.

Students are not permitted to bring disks into the exam venue. In the case of an open book exam, the student is not permitted to bring in material stored on disk. Students may only bring into the exam venue, material authorised by the department.

In accordance with Alternative Arrangements for Assessment procedures, the student's Faculty will be notified that the student will be using a computer. Any personal information about the student's disability remains confidential unless the student gives permission to release this information.

Students will be provided with a disk that must be clearly labelled with name, student ID number, and subject code, date and time of exam.

Students will be required to print out a hard copy of their exam and will submit both a hard copy and disk to the examiner.

Students are reminded to save their work both to disk and c drive regularly to avoid loss of work.

Use of student's personal computer

In exceptional circumstances, students may be granted permission to use their own computer in exams or class tests.

This will be permitted only where students require access to specialised software/hardware that is currently not provided on University computers. This may include facilities such as voice-activated software, or other adaptations that have been developed specifically for the student's condition.

Requests to use a personal computer must first be discussed with the Disability Liaison Unit.

The faculty may require students to sign a statutory declaration stating that they will not access any data stored on their computer.

Contact the Disability Liaison Unit for further information.