The Way the Programes Work

Resource Persons

There are specialist resource persons at CBU who are responsible for overseeing each course on the programme. The specialists are engaged in the preparation of learning materials as well as marking assignments.

Correspondence

Students are requested to address all their correspondence to the address below:

The Director
Centre for Lifelong Education
Copperbelt University
P.O. Box 21692
KITWE.

The Submission of assignments

We prefer you type your assignments, using double spacing and a 40mm margin on the left-hand side of the page for marker's comments.

In addition, we ask you to keep a copy of your assignment as a safeguard against it getting lost in the post. Your assignments are always returned to you by express mail, ensuring a prompt return. We work on the principle that your work should be returned to you within 21 days of us receiving it. A copy of
the feedback form is retained in your personal file and the mark warded is recorded.

At the beginning of each study pack, you will be issued with a number of Assignment Forms. We require you to complete one form for each assignment and attach it to the front of your work before submitting it or marking.

The Marking System

While it is impossible to ensure complete uniformity of marking because it is a somewhat subjective process, all resource persons at CBU are aware that reasonable consistency is important to the students.

The marking system is standardised as far as possible and linked to the examination marking system, helping you to evaluate your progress and your readiness for an examination.

Below are some of the considerations, which lecturers will take into account when marking your assignments:

1. Your interpretation of and critical use of course material and examples based on your own experience are more important than the straight recapitulation of notes. Length of an assignment is less important than evidence of clear understanding and a relevant and focused response.
2. The fact that students come from different backgrounds means that standards of literacy will vary. Surely a poor standard of literacy will hinder the intelligibility of the paper, thus affecting the grade. However, the lecturers are concerned with the structure of the submission and due allowance is made for literacy problems when marking.
3. Originality of thought and analysis are more important than a catalogue of facts. Where an assignment sufficiently demonstrates original thought and analysis, the capacity for critical judgement and the ability to use ideas to illuminate the student's own experience, it is deserving of an A grade.
4. Where the application of analytical techniques forms part of assignment (for example, in accounting and quantitative subjects), appropriate weight is given to competence in this area.
5. Examiners may require a student to submit her/himself for oral examination on any course.

Residential School

A four-week residential school is designed to avail 'Distance Learning' students the opportunity to meet their lecturers and discuss the courses, as well as to meet other students and share experiences. A typical day of the residential school would consist of short lectures, question and answer sessions, case study exercises in teams and group presentations.

In the main, the residential school assists the students to revise and prepare for sessional examinations.