During a recent DocsPlus demonstration, someone asked me whether DocsPlus could support the school’s ‘threefold improvement plan’ by:

1. Providing access to literacy support for students across the whole school
   
   
2. Using DocsPlus as a student’s normal way of working
   
   
3. Using DocsPlus for a student’s access arrangements in exams

And the answer is, yes!

Here’s how:

Provide access to literacy support for students across the whole school

All students in secondary schools can use DocsPlus as, at its core, it is an intelligent word processor that can be of benefit to students of all abilities and ages.

Students benefit from access to DocsPlus in lessons in numerous ways, including:

• Accessing texts using the DocReader
  
  
• Planning their writing with WorkSpace
  
  
• Using Wordbars to easily include genre/topic specific vocabulary
  
  
• Accessing DocsPlus’ spell checker, speech feedback and Predictor to help construct and check their writing

Having day-to-day use of DocsPlus ensures that students are fully familiar with how the word processor and its integrated features function. By the time students require access arrangements for their formal examinations, they could have up to 3 years’ experience and expertise using DocsPlus as their normal way of working!

Use DocsPlus as students' normal way of working

To qualify for exam access arrangements, schools need ample evidence (for JCQ’s regulations) that demonstrate how the arrangements in place for the exam match how the student would normally work in the classroom.

With DocsPlus, teachers will have months’ – even years’ – worth of evidence that prove the student has completed their tasks/assignments with access to a word processor that replicates the ‘scribe’ or ‘reader’ role within an exam scenario.

DocReader

Using the DocReader, students can access texts they may have struggled to read previously. The DocReader will read the text aloud, providing them with equal access to worksheets, exam papers and more. The Dual View feature means students can access the Word Processor and the DocReader at the same time, enabling them to answer questions or create work whilst still being able to see the questions or content.

WorkSpace

Students can use a WorkSpace to organise and structure their ideas, preparing them for writing. Using this visual organising tool, students can express and arrange their ideas to help when writing coherently and with a clear theme. They can be used in lessons to prepare for essay writing or for revision preparation, including creating a revision planner to help them organise their thoughts and feel a little more in control of the situation. When students add Voice Notes to a WorkSpace, they expand on their ideas and capture their thoughts without being distracted or held back by the mechanics of writing - especially if they struggle to express themselves in written form. You can export the WorkSpace and turn it into a Wordbar!

Wordbars

Wordbars give students instant access to the specific words and phrases they need for their given topic. The different types of Wordbars can support students when using and subject-specific vocabulary and with structuring their writing. Teachers can set Wordbars across curriculum areas, which greatly benefits students who experience significant literacy barriers. They are a useful tool for revision as students could write practise answers with key vocabulary readily available. You can print them out to make them portable, and students can read the key vocabulary on their way to school in the car or on the bus!

Word Processor

At the heart of DocsPlus, is the Word Processor. With realistic speech feedback, an intelligent Predictor which suggests words based on the context and a Spell Check tool, students can make review and informed decisions, enabling them to focus on what they are trying to write and encourages them to use a wider range of vocabulary. You can toggle on and off any of these tools to ensure students' exam access arrangements and normal way of working in lessons match.

Use DocsPlus for students' access arrangements in exams

If a student qualifies for additional access arrangements in exams (access to a word processor, human reader, or human scribe), they can use DocsPlus.

The benefits for students using DocsPlus as opposed to a human scribe or reader are significant:

• Increased independence
  Using DocsPlus gives control back to the student during their exams. Because human readers are often allocated at a 1:2 ratio, students often have to wait until the reader finishes helping another student before receiving support. This can happen numerous times throughout an exam, but with DocsPlus, the power is with the student to listen to the text as frequently, and as many times, as they choose, when they choose.
  
  
• Increased confidence
  Students don’t second guess themselves when using DocsPlus. Using human scribes or readers can add an instinctive element of ‘judgement’ for the student – ‘I can’t ask them to read it again’, ‘They will know if I’m getting it wrong, so I won’t put anything’… Using DocsPlus removes this added pressure and allows students to focus entirely on answering their exam to the best of their ability.
  
  
• Increased clarity
  DocsPlus provides the opportunity for students to re-write or re-read as frequently as necessary to complete their exam to their full potential. Using a human scribe or reader can limit students’ responses as it is time-consuming to ask an ‘external resource’ to re-word or re-phrase their ideas multiple times.

More on using DocsPlus as students' normal way of working

If you would like to know more about using DocsPlus as students' normal way of working and to support students in their exams:

• Read our informative Technology in Exams Q&A.
• Visit the exam access page on our website which includes a 30-minute webinar recording on Using DocsPlus for exam access
• Book an Exam Support meeting with our expert team to ensure your DocsPlus setup is exam-ready.
• Watch our DocsPlus for revision webinar to learn how students can use DocsPlus when preparing for their exams. 

For any other questions about using DocsPlus to support learning in your secondary school, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our friendly team at info@cricksoft.com!