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Original poster

Professional word-processing of A level project?

34 replies

Pebbles574 · 24/01/2018 13:00

Would be interested in people's views on this.

A student has to submit a written report for an A level subject - produced in Word, with lots of sections/ screen grabs, bibliography etc. Probably about 80 -100 pages.

The mark scheme clearly identifies that marks are given for written content and ideas/ report of progression of the project i.e. not explicitly for 'presentation'.

The student, who is not especially competent on Word, wants to send the final document to a third party who will properly format it into a professional looking report for about £20.
All the content would be provided and would remain unchanged - it would just be made to look 'tidier.'

Acceptable or not?

OP posts:
sinceyouask · 24/01/2018 14:15

Seek the advice of the exam board, and get the student to think about why they want to do this and of what actual benefit it will be?

Bluebonnie · 24/01/2018 14:03

Who will be marking this magnum opus?

If it's an external examiner, I wouldn't be surprised if the document is returned to the examination centre so that the centre staff can verify that it's the work of the student whose name and number is on the cover sheet.

If it's an internal marker (ie a teacher of the same subject in the school) it does seem a bit doubtful, as that person would have a vested interest in ensuring a high mark.

If the latter, get your son/daughter to ask the subject teacher to explain how many marks are given for presentation, (OP says none) and what the rules are. If it's permitted get him/her to pay with own pocket money.

How would candidates who are visually impaired, or genuinely unable to type be able to submit a document of this kind? It sounds a bit fishy.

Original poster
Pebbles574 · 24/01/2018 13:40

Just to be clear, the student's own report would be 'OK' level of layout/formatting, but he wants a highly 'finished' looking version.

I'm not sure I agree about the time spent learning extended level Word skills being worth it - in all the (professional level) places I've worked we've always had admin people who would take the 'raw' material and work it up into a 'client-ready' presentation format.

I don't really have a problem with this (and yes, the student is my child!) but I've discovered that some people consider it on a par with 'essay-writing' services, which I DO agree are wrong.

OP posts:
negomi90 · 24/01/2018 13:14

If the student is intending to go on to have a professional career one day being able to use word is probably a more useful long term life skill than knowing the information in the project.

MarklahMarklah · 24/01/2018 13:10

Far better (albeit time-consuming) for the student to do this themselves.
Word has a number of templates which will help with formatting reports, which, with a little practice, are easy to use.

idontlikealdi · 24/01/2018 13:09

Again assuming no special needs I'd be amazed you get to A level stage without being able to do that properly yourself.

MillicentMargaretAmanda · 24/01/2018 13:07

I agree with 80pp. Unless the student in question has specific special needs that make it difficult for them to use Word, learning how to use that programme well enough to do the formatting/laying out themselves is a valuable skill in itself.

Knittedfairies · 24/01/2018 13:06

Unnecessary rather than unacceptable I would think. Presumably the report has to be the student's own work?

Iprefercoffeetotea · 24/01/2018 13:05

I think it's ok. Back in the day it was normal for people to ask for their dissertations to be typed up.

Does the student have some sort of special need though? I ask because if they don't, in any job in future they're going to need basic competence in Microsoft Office products. If they can learn how to do it themselves it would be a good skillset to learn.

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