Study Processes

1. How do I plan my study timetable?
2. Your tutor
3. How will my learning be assessed?
4. How will my work be marked?
5. What must I do to sit an examination?
6. What must I do to sit a mid-semester test?
7. Student Rights and Responsibilities

1. How do I plan my study timetable?

When you have accessed your course materials, you should set aside some time to plan your study timetable. Read the Plan or Unit Outline carefully, followed by the Guide. If the Guide is substantial you should read it selectively to ensure that you have a full understanding of what you are being asked to do. You can also browse through the Reader to gauge the content and level of difficulty.

It is important that you plan a personal study period timetable. This timetable should highlight administrative deadlines and include assignment due dates, your proposed study schedule and any personal commitments which could influence your study program. The semester calendar which is provide by Distance Education will be a useful tool for your planning.

2. Your tutor

Your tutor's role is to guide you through the study materials and to provide support and feedback on your progress. Your assignments are marked by your tutor and they will return them to you via Distance Education with comments. You will find this feedback and guidance invaluable.

As a personal introduction, many tutors include a letter with the study materials or send a separate letter or email after the study period begins. However, unless you need to contact your tutor at the outset, you may not be "introduced" to him or her until the return of your first assignment.

Don't be afraid to contact your tutors - they are there to assist you. Many tutors will provide specific contact times in the Plan or Unit Outline which are times they are available to take phone calls or visits from students. Please try to keep to these contact times unless it is an emergency. If you have any difficulty in contacting your tutor, you can always leave a message at the School Office or contact the Distance and Open Learning Office who will act as a go-between for you.

It is advisable to contact your tutors by email where possible. They may have many commitments, such as internal classes, and you may experience difficulties catching them in their office. If you wish to speak to them, ensure you leave a clear message on their voicemail including your name, the nature of your call and your contact details. Always speak slowly and clearly when leaving a message on your tutor's voicemail.

3. How will my learning be assessed?

Assessment is usually by means of several written assignments and a final written examination at the end of the semester. However, there are some units which depend wholly on assignments or examinations for the final mark. Other types of assessment also include supervised or online tests, projects and group assignments (group work is usually conducted via email for external students).

4. How will my work be marked?

Marks on individual assignments will vary between Schools. Your Plan or Unit Outline will usually outline the assessment breakdown for each assignment. You may be awarded a mark out of 10, 20 etc., a pass or fail mark, or a percentage mark.

5. What must I do to sit an examination?

All examinations held during the centrally scheduled examination period are coordinated by the Examinations department. Students located within the Perth metropolitan area (residential postcodes 6000-6210) are required to sit any centrally scheduled examination at Curtin University of Technology, Bentley campus, unless advised otherwise. Information for all other students can be found on the Examinations website.

6. What must I do to sit a mid-semester test?

Distance Education coordinates all mid-semester tests for students living outside the Perth metropolitan area enrolled in Accounting or Economics & Finance units. If your unit includes a mid-semester test, instructions on what you need to do can be found in your plan or outline. Alternatively, you can contact Distance Education regarding your invigilation arrangements.

7. Student Rights and Responsibilities

Curtin is a public university subject to a regime of compliance including the requirement to operate within appropriate legislative and accountability frameworks. You should be familiar with your rights and responsibilities, in particular those relating to copyright and plagiarism.