Use of Laptop Computers on "In-House" Examinations

For the Fall 2007 semester, students will have the option of using laptop computers on final examinations administered in all first year courses and in all second –year registration priority courses. 
 
The use of laptops is governed by the regulations set forth in the Student Honor Code, as well as those set out below.

In the event of a hardware or software malfunction, or user error, the Law School Information Technology Services (ITS) personnel will make reasonable attempts to recover lost data, while the student completes the examination on paper.  More information on this procedure is set out below.

It is anticipated that paper copies of the examination answers will be available to the faculty member within 24 hours.  Electronic files will be retained by the law school ITS for one year.

Students using laptop computers will be given the same time to complete an examination as other test takers.  The Faculty who choose to limit answers will specify equivalent page or line counts for handwritten and laptop exams.

Student Requirements for Students Using Laptop Computers on "In-House" Exams

Pre - Exam Requirements

1. Equipment/Program
   
   Students are required to use the law school approved exam software on any exam which they complete using a laptop computer.  This software is Exam4 and is available for Windows and for Apple version 10.4 or above.
   
   Students are required to have a computer with Microsoft Windows and one USB Port. ITS strongly recommends that the laptop be less than 5 years old.  In addition, the laptop must be able to open Exam4 and pass the security check within two minutes. Please check with the ITS staff outside Morrissey 246 if you’re not sure your laptop will work.
   
   
2. Confirmation and Payment
   
   Between noon November 12 and noon November 30, 2007, the Exam4 software will be available for downloading and testing.  Before submitting a practice exam, students must download and pay a $10.00 fee to Exam Extegrity.  Students must confirm their ability to take the exam on their laptop by downloading and submitting a practice exam during this period.  Students, who do not download, pay for and submit a practice examination by noon on November 30, will not be permitted to take their examination on their computer.

Exam –Day Requirements

1. Students must have complied with all pre-exam requirements listed above.  Students need not bring a diskette or CD-R disc to the exam. The final version of the exam answers will be transmitted over the server through wireless transmittal.  USB flash drives will be provided by the law school as a backup precaution.
   
   
2. Students must report to the assigned computer room 30 minutes before the posted time on the day of the examination to set up their laptop, and follow instructions prior to the start of the exam.
   
   
3. The examination start time will not be delayed for students who arrive late, or have problems with their laptop, or the software. 

Procedures for Equipment Failure

In the rare event that a laptop fails, students are to note the time of the equipment failure and how much of the exam had been completed at the time of the failure, and begin the following procedures:

1. Immediately notify the proctor.  If the problem cannot be resolved within 5 minutes, obtain a bluebook and complete the exam by hand.  When completing the examination, students should assume that the professor will receive a copy of the completed bluebook(s), along with everything the student entered into the computer prior to the laptop failure.
   
   
2. After the examination is complete, immediately notify the Dean on Duty in the Office of Student Services of the laptop malfunction, turn the laptop and USB flash drive, if applicable, over to the Dean on Duty, and complete an ITS Exam Software Incident  form.
   
   
3. Any remaining examinations scheduled to be taken by that student that semester must be completed using bluebooks.
   
   
4. Within 24 hours, ITS will report to the Dean on Duty and to the Student whether the examination was recovered.
   
   
5. Because it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of laptop failure during an exam, please be aware that using a laptop carries some risk of failure.  These risks can be significantly minimized by complying with the laptop minimum requirements and recommended yearly laptop maintenance. 
   
   
6. The Registrar's Office and ITS staff will work to resolve computer problems.  Students who experience technology failures during exams will not be penalized, nor will they be granted additional time.  In the event the examination is recovered, both the recovered material and the material completed in the blue book will be graded by the faculty member.  ITS expects that work entered into the computer will be recovered in most cases.
   
   
7. In the event the examination, or part thereof, is not recovered, assessment of the student’s performance will be determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the faculty member and the Assistant Dean of Students.  Such assessment may include any or all of the following options:
   
   
   • assessing the student on the completed and available portion of the completed examination
     
     
   • having the student re-take the examination
     
     
   • with the permission of the faculty member, permitting the student to elect a “P” option for the class