Dear Student

We are aware that some students are concerned about the implementation of online study and want to reassure you that we are taking all your concerns and issues seriously. As with any launch there have been teething problems, some of which emerged on day one and were dealt with immediately. On the whole, the period for which students were unable to access modules was brief, but we understand the frustration this caused and we sincerely apologise.

This was a technical issue relating to initial registration and log-in. The matter was identified and resolved quickly, although, due to the volume of calls and emails to the ETIS helpline, we couldn’t answer everyone’s calls as quickly as we would have wished to.

The registration process is now running smoothly. Guidance to students registering and using the Student Learning Centre for the first time, as well as general communications and updates can be viewed both on the Student Learning Centre and here.

A number of students have contacted us regarding issues relating to the stability of the content (such as launch buttons 'disappearing'). As you know, we recently moved the Student Learning Centre to a new server, and had expected this to resolve the matter. The cause of the access and stability problems has now been established and is currently being resolved and tested by our suppliers. We are expecting the solution to be in place later today, 2 April.

The second main concern has been the availability of Passcards and downloadable versions of the study guides. As you know we were as unhappy as you with the quality of the PDFs and have been converting them into re-formatted MS Word documents, which include all the text that is in the online study guides. All modules will be available online in MS Word and PDF format by the end of this week. CDs will be sent to all students early next week, but if you need these before then, please contact ETIS.

All Passcards are now available online and have been posted to students. If you have not received yours by Thursday 3 April, please contact the ETIS Helpline on 0207 543 5678.

Whilst we are getting positive feedback from students, particularly open learning students, we know that there is work to be done on improving the Student Learning Centre further.

Search function – we are discussing with our supplier to resolve this as quickly as possible.
IPDS – Students are encouraged to use the IPDS upload and store function for their IPDS portfolios on the Student Learning Centre. We are currently undertaking a review of all the Final Test of Professional Competence modules and therefore wish to wait until we have finalised and agreed these changes before we make any further changes to IPDS submission.
Secure Server Certification – the server has always been secure for payments since launch but this had not been made clear on the site. A number of students were concerned about this and the Secure Server Certificate has now been added.
Content – issues relating to the content, such as missing links, modules that fail to open etc are passed to our suppliers immediately on receipt.

It has been are sole concern throughout this process to provide you with the best value online learning resource possible and we are working closely with our partners to achieve this.

Accessibility

A few people have expressed concerns around the level of accessibility within the Student Learning Centre portal. CIPFA view these concerns as urgent and a review of the portal is in progress to ensure that any issues are resolved.

June 2008 Exam Entry

Entry for the June 2008 examinations has now closed via the Student Learning Centre. If you have not entered for the exams but are still hoping to sit in June, please contact the ETIS Helpline. We will not be charging a late entry fee for this exam session if you do enter late (this will be re-introduced for the December 2008 exams). But please remember that we do need to ensure that all the administrative arrangements are finalised and in place for the June examinations in good time, this includes ensuring the exam venue know numbers of students sitting, the correct number of exam papers are printed etc. Unfortunately we may have to refuse you entry to the June exams if you have not entered by 14 April 2008, a two week extension.

If you wish to make an application under Special Arrangements you must send this with your exam entry (see the guidelines called Special Requirements).

If you are taken ill just before the exam, but still sit the exam, you may make an application for Special Consideration. This must be received at CIPFA within ten working days of the last examination of that sitting.

More information and the relevant forms are here.

Study Aids

Do also take a look at the Study Aids which are now back on the Current Students’ Website here. They provide advice and ideas on effective studying. These were written when the study guides were still hardcopy, and you will see that effective study methods are the same what ever the format – online or on paper.

CIPFA’s Education and Training Team