The problem, as I see it, is that there is a speech recognition system used by disabled students for their examinations. This system seems to have been used for a number of years without question until some new versions came along which seem to make use of macros. That is the reason why the Open University have said that the students who are using this system for examinations now cannot use it.
There is a logic error in the thought processes of the Open University here. First of all, if the system had been used for years without problem, why is there now a problem. Secondly, Dragon software is not that easy to use, so if students can have the benefit of updated editions which are easier to use why not?
Third, we are talking about students who are already disabled and it is my earnest wish and the wish of a lot of others to get them on to a level playing field with able bodied students. So this problem about "Yes but they might cheat and use macros" is just the faintest bit ridiculous. Yes but so might lots of students. We are talking here about students who are disabled and are closely supervised during their examinations. They want to genuinely pass their examinations and are not interested in cheating. So its all a bit of an indictment about this set of students.
I do have every sympathy for the students that are trying so hard to do their work; they are very deserving of respect. I will call upon the Vice Chancellor of the University to hear all our calls in respect of this issue and allow this group of students access to Dragon software.
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