Oscail – DCU Distance Education Oscail Welcome Day - Learning with Oscail Seamus Fox 29 th September 2012

Oscail – Welcome Day 10.00am Tea/Coffee – DCU Business School 10.10am Welcome to DCU – Billy Kelly, Dean of Teaching & Learning/Deputy Registrar – Larkin Theatre 10.30am Overview of Studying with Oscail – Seamus Fox, Head of Oscail - Larkin Theatre 11.00am Break into Programmes –BSc Programmes in QG21 – Eamon Costello & Dara Cummins –BA Programmes in QG22 – Dr James Brunton & Dr Anne Markey –PG Programmes in QG27 – Dr Anne Morrissey & Tutors 12.30pm – Library Talk – Janice Hill – Larkin Theatre 01.00pm – Campus Tours Springboard Meeting in QG21

Learning with Oscail - Overview Being a DCU Student with Oscail Being a Successful DCU Student with Oscail

Being a DCU Student with Oscail How similar to other studying you have done – Study –Assessment: Assignments (and Exams) How not similar –Forms of teaching –Learning outcomes –Formal: Policies & Procedures

Formal Policies & Procedures Policies –Criteria for Awards –Assessment: Assignments and Exams –Registration & Student Records –Deferrals/Leave of Absence –Plagiarism & Referencing –Student Services (esp eServices) Universities want to ensure the quality & maintain the reputation of its qualifications Also to the benefit of students

Course Handbook TABLE OF CONTENTS –INTRODUCTION –THE PROGRAMME –AREAS AND LEVELS OF STUDY –ENTRY REQUIREMENTS –ACADEMIC YEAR/HOURS OF STUDY –EQUIPMENT AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS –DURATION OF STUDY –CHOOSING MODULES/PROGRESSION THROUGH PROGRAMME –EXEMPTIONS –STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES/STUDYING FROM ABROAD –TUTORS AND TUTORIAL SUPPORT –ASSESSMENT –DEFERRAL –AWARDS –UNDERTAKING AN INDIVIDUAL MODULE –OSCAIL e-Services/STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES –APPENDIX 1 – MODULE SYLLABI –APPENDIX 2: THE PROGRAMME BOARD –APPENDIX 3: ASSIGNMENT REGULATIONS –APPENDIX 4: DCU POLICY ON PLAGIARISM –APPENDIX 5: REFERENCING GUIDELINES –APPENDICIES 6&7: DCU LIBRARY/ON-LINE E-JOURNALS –APPENDIX 8: HOW TO ACCESS & USE MOODLE –APPENDIX 12 – ASSIGNMENT PRESENTATION GUIDELINES –APPENDIX 13- ASSESSMENT GRADING SYSTEM

Example: Assignments Due Date One week extension (tutor) Late Assignment –Six weeks before summer PAB With relevant documentation Without relevant documentation Defer Continuous Assessment/Full Module –Six weeks before autumn PAB –August Resit Examinations Detail in Course Handbook

Learning with Oscail Success

Learning with Oscail Importance of first year of study

Learning with Oscail Question: What is the most important action that you can take to aid your success in your first year of study?

Learning with Oscail Answer: Submit your assignments and, for undergraduate students, sit the May examinations (or resits in August)

Learning with Oscail Submit your assignments and, for undergraduate students, sit the May examinations (or resits in August) Especially first assignment

Learning with Oscail Other actions to aid success: –Study time & organisation –Attend tutorials (F2F and Web) –Actively seek help from tutors especially on Moodle –Pay close attention to feedback –Form a study group From ‘study buddy’ to Group which meets F2F or online

Conclusions Submit assignments and sit exams Review the Course Handbook Student Feedback and especially Module Evaluation Surveys If you run into problems, please contact us – - Information on Oscail – Oscail Staff Detailswww.dcu.ie/oscail

THANK YOU! GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH! Any questions?

Learning Outcomes Modules –Each module has learning outcomes Programme –Each programme has programme outcomes Outcomes aligned with assessment Graduate Attributes

DCU Graduate Attributes Creative and Enterprising Effective Communicators Solution-Oriented Globally-Engaged Effective Leaders Committed to Continuous Learning

Solution Oriented –DCU emphasises the use of evidence and understanding as guides to action. DCU graduates will be adept at applying knowledge to issues encountered in the workplace and society Globally-Engaged –DCU encourages students to be locally and globally aware, to value tolerance and cultural diversity and to be committed to civic engagement. DCU graduates will understand the importance of engaging with their communities in a ethically responsible manner.