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FAQ's - Programme specific |
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How cost effective is it to study this course on-line You could study the same programme on a full time basis in the UK but the cost will be in the region of USD $22,000 per year to cover travel, accommodation and course fees. Quality Control Programme awarding bodies such as the University of Portsmouth ensure that their full quality control systems are in place. They approve the teaching materials and schedules, moderate all assessments before they are sat by students and then moderate the marking etc through external examiners. They also then run the examination boards awarding the qualifications. When can I start logging in to commence the course? After your application has been accepted it will take one month to complete the registration process and clear your payment. A user ID and Password will be issued to you via your e-mail account as stated on the registration form. Your
User ID and Password will be activated 48 hours after notification. With this,
you can log in as a registered student through the online web homepage. In an
email to you, your date of commencement and registered course modules will also
be confirmed. Students
can learn, attend classes, and interact with their facilitators and fellow
students via the Internet. Can I take an online course using any Internet Service Provider (ISP)? Yes,
Online courses are designed to work with a variety of browsers and Internet
Service Providers. The minimum browser requirement is at least a 4.0 version of
either Netscape or Internet Explorer. Do I need to be a computer expert to take an online class? What computer skills do I need to have in order to cope with an online course ? Even
a beginner can successfully complete an online course. Accessing and navigating
through your online course is simple because each class has been designed with
step by step instructions for easy movement and minimal typing. Although there
is no need to be a computer expert to take an online course, it is beneficial to
know the basics of word processing, email, and Internet navigation. What kind of software do I need to have? Generally,
students will need to have a minimum of Windows 95 operating system. Each course
will have its own requirement. What are the technical requirements on my part? Each
course may have slightly different requirements however in general, your PC
should have the following minimum hardware and software facilities :- 1.Windows operating system 2.Any
Internet browser (Netscape 4.O or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.O and above)
that is Java-enabled. Earlier versions of these browsers may have problems
reading Java and CGI scripting. 3.A
multimedia Pentium Personal Computer (Optional : Sound Card, MPEG Media Software
Player for playing Video CD-ROM) 4.Modem
speed of 56kbs You
should have working knowledge of the Internet and an Internet account. Here
are some technical configurations that eCampus students should take note
of:- Internet
Explorer 1.From
the Tools menu, select the sub-menu Internet Options 2.Under
the Advanced section, check the "Java JIT compiler enabled". 3.Under
the Advanced section, check the "Java JIT console enabled". 4.Press
Apply and then OK to update the settings. Netscape
Navigator 1.Select
Edit then Preferences 2.Under
Advanced, enable and select "Enable Java" and "Enable
JavaScript". 3.Press
OK to update the settings. The
cache settings must be set to update for every visit to the web page under the
Internet Options of the Browser Menu. This
can cause problems because you would not see any changes or updates made to the
pages if the browser displays the old version of the stored page. Set the
browser settings to clear the cache for every access of the page. Internet
Explorer 1.From
the Tools menu, select the sub-menu Internet Options. 2.Under
the General section, select the Settings under the Temporary Internet Files. 3.Check
the Every visit to the page and press OK. 4.Press
OK to update the settings. Netscape
Navigator 1.Select
Edit then Preferences. 2.Under
Category expand Advanced by clicking on the +, select Cache 3.Check
Every time in the section where it asks about comparing the cached document to
the network document. Company Firewalls If you are accessing the web and WebCT from the office, you may run into problems with your company's network firewall security system. If you have persistent difficulty logging in, contact your IT staff and discuss the issue with them. Clear your plans with your IT staff before starting the process. How & when will I receive my textbooks / study materials? Students
will be supplied with all the study materials required for the course. The books
will reach students by courier approximately one week before each course module
commences. Prior
to the delivery of the textbook, students can log in to the Preparatory
Classrooms where adequate reading material is made available by the Course
Facilitator. Students do not have to purchase any additional textbooks or
supplementary materials. Can students in the eLearning mode submit their assignments and take exams on the web? Assignments
are submitted to the facilitators through the assignment box in their virtual
classroom. Written exams will be held at designated exam venues. Will there be any contact with the lecturers / facilitators? Yes,
contact is through electronic means via on-line chats, discussion room and
private email. What kind of support will students receive? Students
will receive academic support from the facilitators; non-academic issues will be
handled by the helpdesk while technical issues can be addressed by filling out
the technical support form on the online website. What hours will my online course be available? One
of the major benefits of an online course is that it is ALWAYS available. The
Internet is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week and so is your
online course. In
some cases, individual modules will be available only for a certain period of
time. For example, lesson 1 may be available starting the first week of class,
but Module 8 would not be available until the 8th week of class. This allows
students to move through the course together and to interact with each odther.
Our experience with online education has shown that interaction with other
students and the facilitator is a key ingredient to a successful online learning
experience. How long will the facilitators take to answer questions from students ? Facilitators
should reply to students within 24 hours unless it is perhaps during a public
holiday, in which case it may take a little longer. If there are no classes, how can I be sure that the lessons conducted online are enough for me to pass the exams? The
sessions conducted online are the same as those taught on traditional classroom
programmes. You have the same opportunities to ask questions of the
facilitators, in fact you can ask questions at any time and you will receive an
answer within 24 hours. You do not need to wait until the next class to have
your doubts cleared. Online
learning actually offers more choices in the way questions can be presented. If
you would like to have the input from other questions, you can post your
questions in the chat or discussion room. If not, you can post your question
through private e-mail directly to the facilitator. Facilitators
may also provide students with references to other related websites for
additional information. Is there any Online Chat? How often and what is the duration? Yes,
there are approximately three sessions of 1 to 1 1/2 hours each per class where
you can communicate with facilitators and fellow students. Can I defer a unit? Deferment
requests will be approved if the units have not commenced yet. Once the unit
starts, no deferments will be allowed. Requests for deferments must be submitted
2 weeks before the start of the course module and a fee of US$100 is payable. Who should I contact if I encounter problems? Every
module has its own Course Facilitator who is the primary, or first line contact
for questions or problems involving academic aspects of the course. If
you are experiencing technical problems, help is always close at hand. You could
email the eCampus at Helpdesk or there is a 24-hour Customer Service
telephone Help line where a team member is available seven days a week. What Makes a Successful Online Student? 1.
Take full advantage of online conferencing. It
is extremely important to do whatever you can to avoid feeling isolated and
participating in online conferences will give you access to other students who
are taking the same course at the same time. 2. Participate! Whether
you are working alone or in a group, contribute your ideas and comments on the
subject you are studying, and read the comments from your classmates. Your
instructor is not the only source of information. You can learn from your peers
and they can learn from you too. 3.
Take the program and yourself seriously. Obtain
the support of your colleagues, family and friends before you start out on your
online adventure. This support system will help you tremendously as there will
be times when you will have to sit at your computer for hours at a stretch in
the evenings and on weekends. It will help to have people who understand and
respect what you are trying to achieve. 4.
Make sure you have a private space where you can study. It
is important to have a quiet space where you can shut the door and work in
peace. 5. Become a true advocate of distance learning. Discuss
the merits of the process with whoever will listen. In discussing the value of
online learning, you will reinforce its merits to yourself. 6. Log on to your course every single day. Once
you get into the online conferencing system, you will be eager to see who has
commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers.
You will also be curious to see who has posted something new that you can
comment on. If you let too many days go by without logging on to your course
discussion group, you will fall behind and possibly find it difficult to catch
up. 7.
Take advantage of your anonymity. Unless
you are using video conferencing, no one can see you. You don’t have to feel
worried by students who can speak faster than you as you can take as much time
as you need to think your ideas through and compose a response before posting
your comments to your class. 8.
Be polite and respectful. Just
because you are anonymous, doesn’t mean you should let yourself go. You are
dealing with real people on the other end of your modem. In a positive online
environment, you will feel valued by your instructor, valued by your classmates
and your own work will have greater value as well. 9.
Identify if you are having problems. Since
your facilitator cannot see you, you must be absolutely clear with your comments
and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems in
understanding something about the course, you MUST identify these otherwise
there is no way that your facilitator will know. Also, if you don’t understand
one of the concepts, the chances are that several other people have the same
question. By commenting you will help each other out and you will reinforce your
own knowledge about the subject. 10. Apply what you learn. Practice
and apply everything you learn as soon as possible after you learn as this will
help you to remember it more readily. Also, try to make connections between what
you are learning and what you do or will do in your job. Contributing advice or
ideas about the real world as it applies to the subject matter you are studying
helps you to internalise what you are learning,
and gives valuable insight to your classmates who will benefit from your experience. What does my course fee cover? The
payment includes the registration fee, eCampus, textbooks for all modules and
a student manual. It will also include one examination fee for each course module
if you take your exams at an approved examination centre. If you are not located
near to an authorised examination centre, arrangements can be made through British
Council Offices however the administration and invigilation costs (US$30 to
100 per examination) will be the responsibility of each student. How do I sign up for a course if I am interested. What steps are there to register on a course? If
you wish to enrol online for an eCampus course, just follow the simple
steps below:
1.Upon
verifying that you meet the entry requirements, Registration and clearing your
course fee payment should commence 4 to 6 weeks prior to your first selected
unit(s). A user ID and Password will be issued to you via your e-mail account.
2.In
the same email, your date of commencement and the registered course modules will
also be confirmed. 3.Textbooks
and study materials will be sent via courier to your mailing address. Typically
students should receive them one week prior to course commencement. 4.Meanwhile
you can start familiarising yourself with the virtual classrooms. Check out the
Student Handbook for an overview of eCampus’s learning model,
administration and operational matters. Download your Student User Manual and
learn how to use the features of your virtual classroom. 5.If
the course commencement date is still some time away, you can still log in to
the Preparatory Classroom. This classroom allows you to preview your course
materials to help you to be better prepared before class starts. How will I receive my certification? Upon
passing all the modules and course project (if applicable) IVLU (Internet
Virtual Learning University) will send the certificate to your mailing address.
Your academic certificate is the same as the one given by the University or
awarding body to their on-campus students. Where can students find the course schedules and examination dates? The
course schedules and examination dates will be posted in the virtual classrooms
on the online course website. When will the examinations be held?
Some IT course exams are held 4 times per year in March, June, September and
December. Others are held 3 times per year in April, August and December. Exact
dates are posted on the web. How are exams conducted? One
month before the first exam date of each session, IVLU
(Internet Virtual Learning University) will forward Exam Entry Cards for each
student through the website under Student Services.
These will identify your exam timetable and will reflect the time and place for
each paper. For verification purposes, you are to bring the exam entry card and a
form of identification such as your CPR, Passport, ID etc to all examinations. It
is your responsibility to check all information on the entry card and report
errors to the helpdesk within two weeks, otherwise each entry will be considered
as correct. Where will the exam venue be? Can I postpone my examination? Applications
to defer an examination will be accepted only if they are due to government
duty, medical or compassionate reasons. Students
who have these valid reasons can send their request through the online deferment
form. Kindly send the completed form to IVLU together with supporting
documents/proof for verification within 3 working days from the date of
submission. What happens if I fail my exams? If
you do not pass an examination the first time, the result you receive will be
fail / refer. Re-sits
for referred coursework or examinations are allowed only once and must be taken
during the next term. If this is not done it will be considered as a
‘reunit’ and you will be required to register for the module again. This
rule is strictly enforced and all candidates must be aware of it. If
you do not pass an examination you are taking for the second time, the result
you receive will be fail / reunit. Reunit
requires a candidate to register for the module again and re-sit both the course
and the examination. There are four situations when a reunit applies. They are : A.
when he/she fails a refer module B.
when he/she does not take a refer paper by the subsequent term. C.
when a reunit candidate fails the examination paper. D.
when a candidate fails his project and needs to do a new project. Once you are in the reunit status, you will remain as reunit status for that module until you pass the module. What fee is charged if I have to re-sit an exam? For the BSc (Hons) University of Portsmouth programme and PIP, the exam re-sit fee is US$150. Can I appeal if I fail my examination? All
appeals must be made within the stipulated schedule and examination term
concerned. Only students who do not pass are allowed to appeal. There will be a
fee involved and a deadline if you wish to appeal and you will need to submit an
on-line appeal form. The duration is within two weeks after results are
released. Late appeals after the stipulated deadline will not be considered Can I defer my examination? Deferments are only granted for valid reasons like compassionate reasons, government official duty and medical reasons that need to be substantiated by registered doctors. You
are allowed to defer for only one term. After which, you must take the deferred
modules in the subsequent term. This rule must be enforced. If you want to defer
for more than one term consecutively, you will need to apply, with supporting
documents. Such applications are subjected to approval. Note: You
are
required to submit an on-line deferment form for any deferment. You may find the
deferment form under Student Services on-line Education. When
& how will results be released? Results
will be released 8 weeks after the last exam paper and will be posted on the eCampus
/ IVLU websites.
You
will be able to view it by keying in your User ID & Password. We
very much regret that scholarships are not available for these programmes. If I leave the region before I complete the programme, can I continue my studies? Candidates
may complete their programme in the region or anywhere else if, for any reason,
they have to relocate. In fact many
candidates, who started their programme in one location are now continuing their
studies in their place of relocation with no loss of credits gained and no
addition to the fee. Can
I attend the Convocation Ceremony when I have graduated for this course? Candidates are entitled to attend the Convocation Ceremony at the relevant institute. |
