Any computer a student brings into an examination hall can be used to cheat.

The possibility of cheating with macros is not unique to NaturallySpeaking.
Any program that runs scripts will do the trick. This is equally true for
assistive technologies and mainstream applications. For example, a screen
reader that runs scripts could be used to output pre-prepared notes. But
many mainstream products have the same capability. Microsoft Word, for
example, has at least four well-documented productivity-enhancement features
that could be used to smuggle notes into an exam. In other words, anybody
who brings a full-featured word processor into an examination hall could
potentially use it to cheat.

In my professional life, I rely on macro scripting tools to create shortcuts
and repair software problems. But the same tools could be used to output
cheat sheets. Some macro programs save scripts as freestanding executables,
which would make the macros easy to hide and difficult to detect. Macro
scripting tools are readily available and inexpensive. Some are free.

Somebody bent on cheating does not need macros. Certain fields in certain
programs "remember" previously-typed information. Hiding detailed notes in
these fields is easy, and default program settings ensure that this datum is
saved automatically. This is not a bug. Software is designed to work this
way, presumably to make it easy to edit or reuse lengthy bits of text
instead of retyping them.

The issue is not whether NaturallySpeaking can be used to cheat. Almost any
program can be used deceitfully. In fact, one does not need to be running
any programs at all. The operating system itself can be used to conceal
data. A dishonest student might prepare notes before an exam, copy the notes
to the clipboard, shut down all programs, and put the computer into sleep
mode. After powering up the computer in the exam hall, the notes will still
be in the clipboard.

Alan

Alan Cantor 
Cantor Access Inc.
[log in to unmask]
www.cantoraccess.com
 
Passing a question along from a colleague in the UK.

Is the use of Dragon, particularly the most recent versions,
acceptable in an exam situation particularly because it includes the ability
to
create macros? Some have argued that the availability of the macro
function introduces the possibility that this
could allow pre-prepared material ( for example whole
paragraphs) to be
inserted into answers when a student is using his/her own
computer to sit for an exam. If the most recent versions are being used
during
exams, has concern been raised over the potential for cheating
using macros, and if so, how have you mitigated this concern and the
potential for cheating?