Disgruntled Distance Student

I currently write this review as someone who is providing constructive feedback and not in any way be being disrespectful however after much thought, consideration and research, I would like to point out the following:

1. Curriculum: As a Masters student, I don't understand how the design of the qualification "changes" in less than a year and not consider a Phase-Out process. As someone who is taking 2 years to complete the first-year coursework (By choice & circumstances) I believe those in a similar position have been disadvantaged. How can you register knowing the process of a supplementary exam (which is only resubmitting/writing the assessment you failed) and then inform students mid-way through the semester that "there have been changes to the structure and format in which the modules are offered."? That is highly unfair and puts the phase-out students at a disadvantage.

Secondly, the lecturers and designers are adamant that one can write a literature review in 3 hours, handwritten, inclusive of references and only being provided with the topic at the examination room. I have engaged with other researchers and they have mentioned that this is highly impossible. It also needs to be noted that not everyone can write fast. The whole purpose of a literature review is for it to be given the appropriate time in research & writing and not physical writing but it needs to be typed out. A literature view must be carefully thought-through.

Thirdly, what is the point of doing the course-work option of the Masters qualification if all modules require a literature review for the assignment as well as the exam? That's why there is the option of the "research only" Masters. I understand that the aim is to prepare students for their research component in the 2nd year however the previous curriculum worked. That's how most institutions structure their course-work masters.

Solution: If there are changes to the structure of the module (of which in this case it was the entire curriculum) then PHASE IT OUT and then inform students accordingly. Ideally students need to be given a year at most because I would like to assume the restructuring process did not happen over night and took months of planning. Now students from the old qualification structure are being disadvantaged which is inconsiderate given the timeline in which this restructuring was communicated to them. Please review this!

Secondly, if the program developers/designers are still insisting that a literature review for all assessments for all modules need to be done, then kindly review the summative assessments. It should not be a sit-down exam but rather a take-home exam submitted online. The exam question can be released the day before or even on the day in order to expect a well-structured literature review.

Thirdly, the coursework option should just maintain that- "coursework" which maintains assignments and an exam (not a literature review) based on the different modules. The research component which is allocation a whole year should suffice. If a literature review HAS to included in the modules then ideally it can form part of the formative assessments and not the summative. Should it be a summative assessment then it should be a take-home exam and not a sit-down.

Lastly, I am using this platform because when one sends emails, people do not respond. You have to send multiple emails just to follow up. The last time I sent multiple emails (about 3) to 2 people and when I included Pamela Makonyane who was so helpful & still is- she informed me that I had sent it to the wrong people. Granted, this was the case but is it not common courtesy to respond and then forward to the correct person who can help with a query?

I believe STADIO really needs to work on their customer service. I'm not sure if they have seen their ratings on HelloPeter however I would be very concerned as the customer relations officer/manager and that is if there is one. It cannot be that you are quick to respond on Hello Peter however you are not quick to respond using your own internal platform to your own clientele. It does not make sense. Please be pro-active rather than reactive.

Regards A Concerned & disgruntled student.