Join us for an online discussion on using technology for SQA Assessment Arrangements

Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 16th March, 2022

We have been having many discussions with practitioners and parents about the use of technology for learners who require Assessment Arrangements for SQA examinations, and so we are thinking it would be helpful to have some conversations around the subject. If you're interested, sign up immediately as the sessions are next week!

Educational technology has changed hugely since examinations were last held 'in the usual way' in 2019 and in discussion with staff in schools, parents and colleagues in SQA, we think it would be helpful to have some conversations about the use of technology by learners who require Assessment Arrangements in examinations. Time is tight before the end of term and so we have scheduled three online webinars next week, on March 22, 23 and 24th. 

We are describing these sessions as conversations because there is a need for all stakeholders involved with assessment and examinations to share knowledge and experiences and to plan for the future. We hope to be joined by colleagues from SQA.

To sign up, click the links below or book on the CALL webinar page.

As part of this work, it would be really helpful if you could complete this:

Survey on Technology for SQA Assessment Arrangements 2022.

The survey is designed to investigate which digital technologies are being used for teaching and learning and which technologies practitioners anticipate will be used by candidates who require assessment arrangements.

Technology and SQA Assessment Arrangements Conversation - overview. 

Tuesday, March 22nd, 16.00 to 17.00.            

We have been receiving many general questions about using technology as part of Assessment Arrangements and so the first session will involve an overview and demonstration of how pupils can use Windows devices to access Digital Question Papers and write or respond with answers. There will be time and opportunity for participants to share views and experiences around the application of technology by learners with additional support needs in National Qualification assessments.

Technology and SQA Assessment Arrangements Conversation - iPads.

Wednesday, March 23rd, 16.00 to 16.45.

This session is an opportunity to discuss the use of iPads for pupils who require Assessment Arrangements in SQA examinations. iPads are being provided on a ‘1 to 1’ basis to learners in secondary schools in Glasgow, Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and Falkirk and on a needs-led basis to pupils in other locations in Scotland, while some independent schools encourage all students to bring personal iPads to school.

The webinar will comprise a short introduction to Assessment Arrangements and a demonstration of how pupils might use iPads to read and access Digital Question Papers and write answers. There seem to be many barriers around the use of iPads in examinations and so this session will provide an opportunity to discuss the issues and hopefully find some solutions.

Technology and SQA Assessment Arrangements Conversation - Chromebooks. 

Thursday, March 24th, 16.00 to 16.45.

This session is an opportunity to discuss the use of Chromebooks for pupils who require Assessment Arrangements in SQA examinations. Chromebooks are being provided on a ‘1 to 1’ basis to learners in secondary schools in Highland,  Aberdeen, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire while many schools in other local authorities either make 1:1 provision or have stocks of Chromebooks for shared use. 
 
The webinar will comprise a short introduction to Assessment Arrangements and a demonstration of some ways that Chromebooks can read and access Digital Question Papers and write answers. However, there seem to be many as yet unresolved barriers around the use of Chromebooks in examinations and so as with iPads, we hope the session will help us all to discuss challenges and how they can be addressed.