Distance Education NZ (DEANZ) Conference 2012

Dr Oblinger CEO EDUCAUSE offering a USA perspective

I have had the honour of attending both this and the previous DEANZ conference (2010) on behalf of distance students at Massey University. At both conferences I have made contacts and found information that has benefited EXMSS and have had the opportunity to present EXMSS, and [...]

Letter to the Minister

Dear Minister Joyce,

My concern is growing, and is shared among many distance, part time and adult students, that the priorities of the government’s Tertiary Education Strategy do not address the societal need, particularly for women, for accessible second chance education opportunities. Neither does the TES recognise the benefits of study while working. Equally alarming [...]

Stream Sites and Study Materials

Let's communicate Massey

Stream

Students should expect their Stream sites to be opened in the week before semester. If this has not happened by Friday please contact Ralph@exmss.org.nz and EXMSS will find out what is going on. If EXMSS has its way there will soon appear some sort of notification [...]

Free Membership: get benefits and support the student voice

For the first few months of 2012 membership of EXMSS will be free! If you are enrolled for 2012 I advise you to join EXMSS now. Membership is for the academic year.

EXMSS has been preparing for this transition and has funds to cover the shortfall in 2012.  Membership benefits include a super-cheap shuttle service [...]

Printed Study Materials – Part Two

There has been extensive discussion about the provision of print material, particularly for distance students. On realising that lecturers understanding, students expectations and Massey policy often contradicted each other, Associate Professor Mark Brown, Director: Blended and Distance Education,  has clarified the University position and put systems in place for the Contact Centre to deal efficiently with student [...]

Representing Students’ Views to the University

Does student representation matter? Does it matter whether there are students involved in decisions about course regulations, the support services offered, or how students receive their coursework? Massey staff often seek the input and advice of students. They see the need for a student view. Supporting their view, the Government has stipulated in new legislation [...]

Study Materials Solution

What to expect?

Following students concerns about access to printed study material I have brokered a solution with Massey University. The issue is a transition that is not clear to all those involved. The discussion in the Materials and Modes forum suggested that a set of criteria would be applied to the free provision of [...]

Implementation of the Eight Year Rule

Following my comments at Massey’s Academic Board it was noted that the Eight Year Rule regulation could disadvantage traditional distance learners. It was agreed that communication to students of the rational for this regulation should be clear and immediate. Furthermore, the provision of negotiated pathways should be highlighted. Without a student voice in this process, [...]

Why have Student Representatives?

What good do student reps do? A cutting question for a student representative. I expect that students would continue learning regardless of whether or not student representatives exist. But there is a case to be made to support student representation. In a committee today some papers were tabled that changed the learning Outcomes and number and [...]

Eight Years to Complete Starting 2012

Today Academic Committee, a committee of the Board, approved the introduction of the ‘eight years to complete’, ‘award a qualification that a student has not enrolled in’, and ‘complete under current years regulations’ regulations.

The eight years to complete regulation states that students have eight years in which to complete their undergraduate qualification. If they [...]