PrintStudent Learning Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
SECTION 1: GETTING STARTED
- How do I register for CIPFA and the Student Learning Centre?
- How do I log on?
- Why won’t the system let me log in?
- I am trying to purchase a module, but I keep getting an error message, what should I do?
- How do I access previously purchased modules and exemptions?
- Why isn’t the page launching?
- There seems to be some text at the bottom of the page that isn’t showing on the screen. How do I access it?
- Where do I book an exam date and venue?
- How do I access the Forums?
- Where can I get further help?
- How do I change my username?
- Are the screens adjustable for people with sight problems?
- Will CIPFA be consulting after the Student Learning Centre goes live to find out how students are working with it?
SECTION 2: ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
- When will PDFs of the online study guides be available?
- Where are the past papers and other revision support?
- When will Strategic Business Management (SBM) be available in an interactive format?
- When the content is updated how will I know what changes affect me?
- Is the Student Learning Centre replacing classroom tuition?
- If I have any queries regarding the Student Learning Centre, can my course provider advise me?
SECTION 3: USING THE STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE
- Can I access the content immediately even if my employer is being invoiced?
- Where do I get the employer code from if I want my employer to be invoiced?
- If I don’t feel like studying at the computer, can I print the content?
- Is the discussion forum similar to the study lounge discussions on the current student homepage?
- Does the system return me to the page I was studying?
- I know that workshops are part of the package, do I need to attend these?
- The content seems similar to the passcards, why is that?
SECTION 4: FINAL TEST STAGE, IPDS AND POST-QUALIFICATION
- Can the IPDS portfolio be electronically submitted?
- I am about to commence the case study, can I access all the content of previous modules?
- How long can access to materials be given after qualification?
SECTION 5: THE FUTURE
- Can the blend involve videoed lectures?
- Will there be online examinations?
- What level of searching is there? Can I put in keywords?
- How will you be collecting our views on the Student Learning Centre?
SECTION 1: GETTING STARTED
Question
How do I register for CIPFA and the Student Learning Centre?
Answer
Click either the link to register or the link for New Students (those who have not yet registered with CIPFA). You will be taken straight to the pages for purchasing exemptions and modules and where you will also pay your registration and subscription fees. You will be sent an email with your USERNAME and a password.
Make sure you complete all the mandatory fields on the registration form.
When you ‘submit’ your purchase request and payment, you will need to wait a moment while it is processed. DO NOT press ‘submit’ again. An electronic receipt will appear on the screen and you will also receive an email confirming your purchase.
Answer
If you are already registered with CIPFA, you will have been allocated a USERNAME, which you then input in the first box. DO NOT change your USERNAME. Then enter the password. You must change the password after you have logged on for the first time.
Question
Why won’t the system let me log in?
Answer
If you forget your password please contact ETIS.
As a security measure, accounts are automatically disabled after 3 failed log-in attempts.
If your account has been disabled you will receive a ‘disabled account’ message, in which case please contact ETIS.
Question
I am trying to purchase a module, but I keep getting an error message, what should I do?
Answer.
If this happens, log out and log in again. Go to My Modules and see if the module is there. If it is not, contact ETIS. Do not try to re-order the module. Do not press ‘submit’ again as this could result in you purchasing the module again.
Question
How do I access previously purchased modules and exemptions?
Answer
All students should have access to modules purchased before the Student Learning Centre was launched. These will be found in ‘My Modules’. If you have changed your username then you may not be able to access these modules, in which case you should contact ETIS to have your username reset.
Question
Why isn’t the page launching?
Answer
You will need to allow pop-ups in order to access the study guides. You can do this via ‘Tools’ on your internet menu bar.
On first entering a module, click on ‘View Content’ a pop-up should appear. Click on the syllabus link which opens a window. Click on the ‘launch’ button at the side of the study session you wish to view.
If you are using a Mac, please contact ETIS, where the customer services team will be able to advise you.
Question
There seems to be some text at the bottom of the page that isn’t showing on the screen. How do I access it?
Answer
The Student Learning Centre has its own scroll bar (to the left of each screen). Check that this is at the bottom.
Some students may find the text disappears when they increase the font size. We are working to correct this and will keep you updated.
Question
Where do I book an exam date and venue?
Answer
Once you have purchased a module (which includes the exam registration fee) or the exam on its own, go to My Modules.
- Scroll down and you will find the options for selecting an exam date and venue.
- Click on View Instances.
- Select a date.
- Wait a few moments and 'Requested' will appear next to the date.
- An email will be sent to the students account email.
Question
How do I access the Forums?
Answer
Within the system there are two broad types of Forum:
- General Forum
- Learning based activity forums
When you first access the Student Learning Centre, you will be able to access all the posts within the General Forum option.
The second type of forum, based around learning activities, is directly related to your studies and can only be accessed once you submit a learning activity post from within the online study guides. Access to these learning based activity forums are restricted to ensure that all students who access answers have submitted their own answer as well.
Question
Where can I get further help?
Answer
- Our Education and Training Information Service (ETIS) are on hand to answer your queries. Email: ETIS@cipfa.org or telephone 0207 543 5678
- The Ask the Tutor function and IT support will be available shortly
Question
How do I change my username?
Answer
Do NOT change the username allocated to you as this will simply create a new account and you will not be able to access previously purchased modules.
Question
Are the screens adjustable for people with sight problems?
Answer
Yes. At the moment students can change the font size through the ‘Tools’ option on their internet menu bar. As a priority, we are working improving access in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Question
Will CIPFA be consulting after the Student Learning Centre goes live to find out how students are working with it?
Answer
Yes! We always seek feedback through the many forums available. As ever you are encouraged to contact us via ETIS, the Discussion Forum, the student survey and in response to student e-newsletters. We also attend employer meetings and meetings of the NSF, so please make use of these avenues too.
In March there will be an opportunity to feedback specifically on the launch of the Student Learning Centre and your experiences studying with the interactive study guides.
We will continue to compile and respond to your comments, whether in the newsletter or Notice board, the FAQs pages or individually where appropriate.
SECTION 2: ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Question
When will PDFs of the online study guides be available?
Answer
PDFs will be available to download from the Student Learning Centre from Monday 3 March 2008. CDs will be posted to students shortly after, along with the passcards.
Question
Where are the past papers and other revision support?
Answer
For the moment students can access the past papers and marking schemes and the examiners reports and model answers from the current students’ web page. Links to these are also available from the Student Learning Centre. In time all study and exam support will be migrated to the Student Learning Centre.
Question
When will Strategic Business Management (SBM) be available in an interactive format?
Answer
We are currently undertaking a review of the Final Test of Professional Competence. Once that is complete we will be able to let you have more information. There will not be an interactive SBM option for the June 2008 exams.
We will be sending hardcopies of the SBM module to students sitting the June 2008 SBM exam.
Question
When the content is updated how will I know what changes affect me?
Answer
For the time being students can get notification of updates and other news from the Notice Board on the Current Students web pages. We will also put this news on the Student Learning Centre Notice board. Over time, we expect to increase the use of the Student Learning Centre to get information to students.
Question
Is the Student Learning Centre replacing classroom tuition?
Answer
No. We continue to encourage you to make the most of classroom attendance, whether that means classes at your local CIPFA tuition provider or attending one or two day revision courses and workshops. The value of face to face tuition cannot be emphasised enough, so where this is an option for you, do make the most of it.
Question
If I have any queries regarding the Student Learning Centre, can my course provider advise me?
Answer
The Student Learning Centre is how CIPFA is delivering its open learning package to students and questions about the Student Learning Centre should be directed to CIPFA (via ETIS).
SECTION 3: USING THE STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE
Question
Can I access the content immediately even if my employer is being invoiced?
Answer
Yes, each employer who opts to be invoiced will have their own code. You will be given this code, which you enter when purchasing a module. Access to your purchased module will be immediate.
Question
Where do I get the employer code from if I want my employer to be invoiced?
Answer
You should ask your employer for the code. If they do not have one, your employer must contact ETIS.
Question
If I don’t feel like studying at the computer, can I print the content?
Answer
Yes. Students will benefit most from this interactive content by studying online. That said, it is not always desirable to study online, so convenient print options will be available. And because the content is highly focused, this won’t result in reams of paper being printed off. Much easier to manage on the move – and tree-friendly as well! The pocket-sized Passcards booklets will remain as hardcopies, an essential element in your revision toolkit.
In response to student feedback, cds with the learning content are also being provided, for when you don’t have access to the internet.
Question
Is the discussion forum similar to the study lounge discussions on the current student homepage?
Answer
Within the system there are two broad types of Forum:
- General Forum
- Learning based activity forums.
When you first access the Student Learning Centre, you will be able to access all the posts within the General Forum option.
The second type of forum, the learning based activity forums, are directly related to your studies can only be accessed as you submit items from within the online study guides. Access to these learning based activity forums are restricted to ensure that all students who access answers have submitted something themselves.
Question
Does the system return me to the page I was studying?
Answer
Yes, bookmarking of the page you last visited is automatic.
Question
I know that workshops are part of the package, do I need to attend these?
Answer
We recommend that students attend the induction workshops, after all, they are included in the package, so what have you got to lose?
Question
The content seems similar to the passcards, why is that?
Answer
The content wasn’t developed from the passcards, but from the open learning material and provides the depth of syllabus coverage you need to excel in your exams. The passcards are an excellent revision tool and should be used as such.
SECTION 4: FINAL TEST STAGE, IPDS AND POST-QUALIFICATION
Question
Can the IPDS portfolio be electronically submitted??
Answer
Not yet. For the moment, students must submit their portfolios in hardcopy. This will be the process until December 2009. After that, we expect to phase in electronic submission of portfolios, but more information on this will be available nearer the time. And don’t worry – transitional arrangements will allow students who have started a hardcopy portfolio to submit it in hard copy even after December 2009.
Question
I am about to commence the case study, can I access all the content of previous modules?
Answer
Yes, all active students who have previously purchased open learning material will have access to the new online content for the modules they have purchased.
Question
How long can access to materials be given after qualification?
Answer
All students will have access to the modules they have purchased for the duration of their studies, supporting your revision and keeping you up to date with developments in accounting practice. However, due to licensing arrangements, we are limiting access to active students. Once qualified CPFAs, you will not have access to the Student Learning Centre.
SECTION 5: THE FUTURE
Question
Can the blend involve videoed lectures?
Answer
The Student Learning Centre is very interactive as it is. It’s not just text on the screen. There is scope to include other methods of learning down the line as we develop this. As take-up of broadband becomes universal, the Student Learning Centre is well positioned to evolve in areas such as e-assessment, personalised learning and more, continuing to meet the needs of students and their employers.
Question
Will there be online examinations?
Answer
Not at the moment but this is something that we are considering for specific modules, particularly at Certificate level.
Question
What level of searching is there? Can I put in keywords?
Answer
Our instructional designers advised that the structure of online content of highly focused topics clearly identifiable within the ‘My Courses’ menu, makes keyword searching superfluous. Once you have become familiar with the Student Learning Centre, we expect you will agree, but let us have your feedback.
Question
How will you be collecting our views on the Student Learning Centre?
Answer
A questionnaire will be posted online seeking feedback from students on the launch of the Student Learning Centre and their experience of using the online study guides. Findings from this survey will go towards informing the priorities for future development.
Any further questions? Contact etis@cipfa.org