Oops, I uploaded the wrong assignment!

Has this ever happened to you? Uploading the wrong assignment for a unit is an easy mistake to make. You have probably noticed that course units within a stream usually have the same letters preceding the course code to indicate they belong to that subject. For example, EDPE243 - ED indicates it is an education subject.

One student, Casey* submitted two assignments for her teaching degree three weeks ago. Today, Casey received her results. One assignment she received top marks and the other she failed. Casey looked at her assessment uploads and realised she had accidentally uploaded the same assignment for both subjects - subjects that had near identical course numbers. Upon realising this, she contacted her lecturer by email who confirmed that she had uploaded the wrong assignment but could only mark what was uploaded. The stress from this mistake and hoping for a solution left Casey in tears and sick to the stomach that all her hard work would go to waste. Casey sent the lecturer a copy of the correct assignment in hope that if anything, she would gain some feedback.

Other students' stories who came from different Australian Universities;

Another student, Danielle* said that she had mixed up two assignments once and it was the lecturers who realised and emailed her to upload the correct assignments.

Jacki* didn't realise that she had uploaded the incorrect assignment until her lecturer contacted her. But the due date had already passed by the time the mistake was picked up. However, Jacki was able to resubmit the correct assignment but with a penalty.

Jo* uploaded the correct assignment but an earlier draft. She had to learn the hard way as the lecturer stated that she could only mark the uploaded assignment as there was no way of knowing if she had used the extra days to complete the task.

Mixing up assignments when uploading assessment because the unit codes are near identical is an easy mistake to make. Here are three tips to ensure that you don't have to endure the same stress as Casey.

1. When saving an assignment, ensure that you use both the unit code, unit name and assignment number to identify it easily.

2. Before pressing 'submit' when uploading your assignment, triple check that it is the correct assignment for the unit. If you are tired (if it is not the due date), leave the uploading until you are feeling more refreshed.

3. Go back into where you submitted the assignment and ensure that it was received.

*names changed to protect identity.

Back Up Buddy!

Back up, back up, back up! This is some great advice I regularly give others and this time failed to remind myself.
It was only eight little research articles - surely I could get that safely from Mum's computer back to my place, an hour away, without too much hassle on my USB. No, I don't need to save it on mum's computer or email these articles to myself - I have just double checked  and they are definitely on my uni USB.

Fast forward two hours later, I'm at home with my 'trusty' USB and the articles are NOT there. I have other items on it (all backed up elsewhere anyway!)but not these precious articles that I found after five hours trawling through databases.

It seems backing up information as soon as you have it is a necessity. Emailing it to yourself whilst on someone else's computer (bearing in mind internet access would be required!), saving it to your hard drive or the computer you have been using and USB (or a portable hard drive) is the only way you can be sure that all your hard work is not lost.

A few tears later and a happy ending - thanks mum for being able to find the author of the much needed articles as I was able to trace back to where they were originally found and download them again.

eDegree the ebook has arrived!

MEDIA RELEASE

Jilly Stansfield has released her final ebook for the year 2010 - eDegree: study anywhere, anytime.

You can view a sample for FREE by visiting http://www.smashwords.com/  or  click on eDegree's book cover below!

About the book:

Are you wanting to further your education but not sure if it is possible? Many people think that they wouldn’t be able to study externally through the mode of eLearning- ‘it’s too hard’, ‘I wouldn’t stay on track’, ‘I don’t know where to start’. The truth is these days anyone can elearn – anywhere, anytime.

You can become an eLearning student whether you are

- Working full time

- Working part time

- A single parent

- Starting a new business

- Travelling

- Mature age

- A school leaver

- Upgrading your qualification

- changing your career direction

- have no formal education

This book will guide you through choosing a study option, your study and to graduation success. It's your personal study buddy!

Don’t put if off. Now is the time to secure your future and do something for you – live your life and get your education anytime, anywhere.

What does 4 years worth of Uni assignments look like?

I have just complete my teaching degree through UNE (www.une.edu.au) and I have kept all my assignments.


So, for those who are interested, here is a pic of all those assignments minus the couple that I received back online and of course the exams.

Don't let this put you off studying though!

Think of it as evidence of your achievement!