7 Steps of e-Learning

The 7 steps of the Calvary University e-learning process

The following is a summary of the seven most important elements that will ultimately be in place, or have been dealt with, by the time the student has worked through the entire learning process of a particular programme.

1. Registration as a Calvary Student

Every student must first register on-line for a specific programme, indicating the intended combination of courses. This will initiate the process of informing the student as to the arrangements and details of steps 2 to 7. The Web-based CV Programme and Academic Path Planner will assist with information about prior learning, transfer of credit, available programmes, qualifications and study fees.

2. Enrol with the Local Calvary Group

The student will now have the contact details of the Calvary Group that will provide the student with any information not already given in step 1. This is where the student will get most of their support and personal contact. The group will provide the student with forms to register with CU and enrol for the learning facilitation. They receive the enrolment fees and will examine the validity of the documents offered for RPL and the qualification certificates for transfer of credit. They will also appoint a Tutor. [See next point]

3. Academic Tutor Appointment

The student will be assigned to a suitable Academic Tutor. An Academic Tutor must be able to have contact with the student. An Academic Tutor has at least a Bachelor qualification, a thorough familiarity with the field of study and preferably an understanding of the way of thinking in that field gained through experience.
The Academic Tutor is a person of solid character, who will be a pillar of strength to the student and who is able to give trustworthy assessments on the academic, as well as the practical work, the learner undertakes. He/she will oversee group-work and the compilation of a work-file.
An Academic Tutor is essential for every student as a vital part of the CU e-learning model. However, exceptions based on special circumstances may be considered by the faculty.

4. Receive the Calvary Course CD

A CD-ROM disk is prepared for each course. All the material that CU gives to the student will be on the Course CD. It will guide the student through each lecture by means of a Study Guide that links to all the provided companion material for each lecture. This takes the place of live lectures and is the heart of e-learning, brought to the CU student on his or her own computer. Some of the material is also available on a course Website. A further source of academic interaction is the Companion-Website of the texbook, developed by some of the writers and are hosted by the publishers. These sites will guide the student through the learning material for extra benefit. The student will receive the password for these sites linked to each textbook.

5. Order Prescribed Textbooks

The curriculum syllabus and the Study Guides will indicate which textbooks are prescribed. Take note of where the online bookstore is situated and for which market it is best placed to provide a service. Some faculties may also have arranged for certain textbooks to be available at specific book stores.

• Pearsoned.co.uk        Directly from the publisher
• Amazon.co.uk           For delivery in Europe
• Amazon.com             Best for delivery in USA
• Barnes & Noble          Also for delivery in USA
• Kalahari.com             For delivery in Africa

6. Work Through the Curriculum

The curriculum is an exact description of what is required of the student in order to complete the programme. The student will be guided through the curriculum by means of the Study Guide. In the process the student will work through the prescribed textbook, complete formative tests, work on writing assignments and practical tasks, participate in group-work and compile a work-file. The Academic Tutor's role is to provide a practical, supportive presence in the learning process.

7. Complete Assessments to Receive Credits.

A few tests (usually three or four) cover the work of each course. These randomised tests are down-loaded from the CU Website, written on the student's computer, and uploaded again, to be instantly marked and stored as credits.
The Academic Tutor will work closely with the student and make an assessment of the different aspects of the curriculum as the student gradually builds up the course credits for each course in the planned programme. The assignments, practical tasks, group work and workfile will be marked by the Tutor and may be moderated. All these marks are sent to the database by means of the provided software programme in order to register progress in terms of credits and earned marks.
When the curriculum is completely worked through, the number of credits for the programme will be reached and a grade average established. Marks will appear on the database next to the name of the student for each course in the programme that will lead to a specific qualification.
The Tutor will also facilitate the student’s practical tasks and the marking of these. This means that the written assignments are not the only components of assessment which generate marks. This provides the student with a very fair marking system.

Note on graduation

When the student has handed in all the required assignments (including the report(s) on the practical tasks and the test results) the CU student record will show that the programme is completed and the qualification certificate will be sent to the student or to the designated place of distribution.

TOP