Using Read&Write for exams

The ‘read’ part of the Read&Write is software is available for use during exams for students who have the ‘use of a Reader’ arrangement approved as part of their Summary of Support Needs (SOSN).

Read&Write is only permitted to be used in ‘Locked browser’ mode during exams, as this mode provides a reduced level of functionality which ensures the integrity of assessments.

When completing an exam using Lockdown browser, Read&Write will be forced into ‘Locked browser’ mode. However, for exams which do not use Lockdown browser, students must ensure that they switch on the ‘Locked browser’ mode when they log on to the computer (Exams Office staff and invigilators will assist you if needed). You should only use Read&Write during exams if this has been approved within your Summary of Support Needs (SOSN).

If you think you are eligible for a reader in exams, please contact the disability adviser (disability@sgul.ac.uk) for a discussion about including this on your SOSN. Please be aware that exam arrangements have to be agreed at least 6 weeks in advance of exams and we may require you to provide additional evidence to recommend a reader.

Please Note: Students using this software for exams may need to sit the exam in an individually invigilated venue and may be required to use headphones which will be supplied.

Read&Write software is installed on all SGUL PCs and can be accessed using the desktop icon. Prior to the start of your exams once you have logged on, you should access Read&Write in ‘Locked Browser’ mode using the following steps:

1. Open Read&Write

All SGUL PCs have Read&Write installed. You should be able to locate the desktop icon on the left hand side of the screen.

Read and write icon

2. Expand Read&Write

When first opened, Read&Write may load in a minimized view, which must be expanded.

If minimized, a small purple Read&Write icon will be displayed at the top of your screen. Please select that to expand it. Read&Write may also open in an expanded form on some PCs; if this is the case you can skip this step.

Read&Write in minimized view

Once Read&Write is expanded, you will see a blue toolbar at the top of your screen with a range of icons. This is the main Read&Write toolbar.

3. Close and Relaunch Read&Write

Having opened Read&Write once, you must then close it and relaunch it (following steps 1 and 2), so that it can save the necessary system settings to be able to open in ‘Locked browser’ mode.

Please Note: this is an essential step. If it is not completed, you will not be able to open Read&Write in ‘Locked browser’ mode’.

4. Entering ‘Locked browser’ mode

Depending on your exam format you will need to follow one of the following steps:

If your exam is using LockDown browser, when you open LockDown browser Canvas will display a message that indicates that Read&Write has been detected and that the toolbar will go into Locked Browser mode. Select OK/YES when you see this prompt.

OR

If your exam is NOT using Lockdown browser (usually for exams where you need to download the exam paper to your desktop), when you open up Read&Write you will need to put it into ‘Locked browser’ mode. You should click the 3 horizontal lines at the top right of the screen.

Hamburger icon

Click on ‘more setting’ and then select ‘start’ next to the ‘Locked Browser Mode’. This will then display a message about disabled features. Select OK/YES when you see this prompt.

Start locked browser mode button

• For both exam formats, when you have completed the set up Read&Write will be able to be used for your exam. The Read&Write toolbar will now only contain 2 icons when in ‘Locked Browser’ mode.

Read and Write in locked browser mode

Screenshot reader button for Read and Write The first icon is the Screenshot Reader button. When this is selected, you will be able to draw a box around any onscreen text using the mouse, and the system will read that text to you.

The second icon provides the functionality for screen masking, which can be helpful for being able to clearly identify and read text content.