Programmes and modules for online selection: why should I bother? Dr Jon Owen Academic Registrar

1. Programmes and modules for online selection: why should I bother?Dr Jon OwenAcademic Registrar Wednesday 10th February 2010 http://www3.uwic.ac.uk/English/registry/Pages/home.aspx

2. Online module directory • information on programmes is stored in CIMIS … • … and information on modules is stored in CAMS • the online module directory “joins” this information together • compulsory and optional modules are identified for each named award • so, a module may appear many times if it used by several different named awards (including “pathways”) • if a module is “modified”, then the changes are propagated to all programmes in which it is used • implications for franchised provision? • implications for changing the name of an award?

3. The schedule for the online module directory • 15th February: • all award titles to be identified • 22nd February to 12th March: • OMD made live for academic staff to check modules per programme • 29th March to 5th April: • early indication messages to students • 5th April to 14th May: • students make initial module selections • compulsory modules “selected” automatically for them • following this: various reports, information to timetabling • 26th August to 15th October: • OMD open for final selections by students • choices may be moderated by their performance in assessments • if not updated, initial selections will be used

4. What happens if the module selection information is wrong? • this information is provided to Blackboard • so, if the programme doesn’t have the correct modules … • … or the student has not selected the modules s/he is attending… • … then the student will not be able to access the teaching and learning materials on Blackboard … • … or undertake any assessments, either on Blackboard or on paper • … and UWIC’s statutory returns and the funding it receives will be compromised • provides basis for timetabling: how many students per room

5. Changing tracks • if a student wishes to change from one named award to another, s/he must consult the Programme Director and complete a “change form” • if a student wishes to move from Honours to Ordinary, the same applies: this must be done 3 months before the final examinations • if a student wishes to change their initial module selection, s/he has an opportunity immediately following enrolment at the start of the new academic year (via online module selection) • if a student wishes to change from a module s/he is studying within two weeks, online module selection is still available

6. So what could possibly go wrong? • there is a late validation or modification to a programme which means that information is not available in time • the wrong modules are allocated to a programme • the student is enrolled on the wrong programme • the student doesn’t select the correct amount of credit • the student doesn’t select the “correct” credit • the student changes his/her mind later • pet names for modules and programmes

7. Further developments • a single, definitive list of award titles is in preparation, via: http://www3.uwic.ac.uk/english/registry/progspec/pages/available.aspx • this will drive • learning and teaching materials (especially Blackboard) • the production of transcripts and certificates • the award ceremony programmes • schedules of approval events • the publication of information about our award titles and their constituent modules • information for the new student (and academic information) system • a new programme structure is being developed, so that “cognate award titles” are grouped together