BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT - Issues regarding marking

Hi,

So basically, I wasn't sure precisely what to do about this situation, or even what can be done, but I figured this would probably be the best place to ask.
I'll keep it as short as I can; I'm in the second year of this course. Last year I was going through a bit of a rough patch (which I was in and out of the doctor's about) and consequently my grades showed it. Near the end of the year my tutors told me that they were willing to mark my work up until the last day of term before the summer holidays, regardless of whether they were submitted before or after the deadline. I submitted enough work in that time that should have gotten me a Merit overall and according to my tutors they'd have plenty of time to mark it.
After checking over the old VLE (Virtual Learning Environment, where we submit work for marking and stuff, not sure if every college has them) I've only been given a pass grade, not because I didn't submit the work or the work wasn't up to standard, it simply hadn't been marked.
Moreover, the work from last year has all been deleted from the VLE.
I'll admit, it's partially my own fault for not archiving all of it or submitting it earlier, but still the tutors did not mark the work as they were supposed to and as they promised. It took them 6 months to mark pieces of work from the start of the year, and that was work submitted weeks before deadlines, this kind of delay was consistent throughout the year.
What can I do about this situation?
As it stands, I won't be able to get into Uni next year if my grade from last year isn't improved, but that's only because the work wasn't marked, otherwise I'd be fine and headed for DMM. I wouldn't have an issue if it was my own fault, but as it stands the tutor's inability to fulfil their promises has likely robbed me the chance of getting into Uni.

Reply 1

a9493r

I think you should first contact the student committee,..I am in the student committee and we look to resolve such problems in our college as well..

Reply 2

yt7777

Did they definitely not mark it, or is it possible that they did mark it and you just didnt meet one of the points for the criteria?

I think due to the new rules you wont be able to re-submit, out of interest how many units do you do each year?

if its an Extended diploma and you got 9 passes in your first year you are right even if you get all distinctions in year 2 the highest overall grade you can get is DMM which will still get you into uni but it may be worth asking someone higher up if you could re do just 1 unit and you if go from pass to distinction you will go to DDM.

if not it may be worth doing something else to strengthen your UCAS application like maybe an AS level in a relevant subject (Maths, Computing, Physics, Electronics etc.) or maybe an EPQ and base it on something interesting and relevant to what you want study at university.

Reply 3

btectutor

Ok, so let me try to help.
Firstly, don't worry about the new BTEC assessment rules, they don't apply to you.
You should be able to upgrade your units from last year.

Who have you spoken to about this at your college?
Do you have any emails as evidence of your discussions last year with your tutor?

I would be surprised if there wasn't a back-up of the contents of the VLE, this should be something your tutor should ask about.

Reply 4

Minionmum

My son is doing the extended diploma top up to 180 credits - as he did the 90 credit diploma last year - says if one of his tutors agrees to open up the back up pass unit that they did last year in case they failed one of the units (they all had to do an extra unit, but were only allowed to do the pass task,not the merit or distinction ) - that would mean the difference of possibly getting a DDD instead of a DDM , so are the students allowed to upgrade any / all past units from the previous year as long as the tutor is willing to mark it? or does this come down to the individual tutor or college?

Reply 5

zackeckley

I do not study extended diploma, I just study the national diploma, but when I have a problem I just speak to the head of the course or head of IT at my Sixth form and the issue is always resolved I would recommend you try than and see what he/she says.

Reply 6

btectutor

Original post by Minionmum

Yes students are allowed to upgrade. From personal experience, I will mark any upgrade work for students who are in my classes. I would ring the college and ask to speak to either the tutor or the BTEC Lead IV.

Reply 7

Minionmum

Original post by btectutor

Hi

Despite googling in several combinations I cannot find a list of all the units that can be taught in the Edexel BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in IT (180 credit) - the reason I ask is son is on 2nd year of this course - this year they have a new tutor teaching some of the units who has never taught BTEC before - the long and the short of it is that students are not happy with the teaching / lack of it - briefs not given in good time meaning work has to be rushed ,as not everyone can afford to have dreamweaver software at home,meaning work must be completed at college in a very short time ,which has also meant his deadlines have been clashing with other units (not a problem last year as all the tutors had it covered). Head of course is aware that students are unhappy ,as the class have made representations on several occasions to their tutors and to him ,and work that this tutor is setting is not marked by him,but by the BTEC lead (confirming that college realise there is a problem).

This is seriously affecting my sons grades and therefore his university prospects - son does not want me to say anything to college yet,as he thinks that when they have finished all their units there "may" be some time left to work on other units, that they can then use to replace the modules taught by this tutor, thereby improving their grades.

As a parent I am not happy to just sit back and wait and see ,when this has a direct impact on my son's future - so how can he find a list of ALL the units for the Level 3 extended diploma in IT (I think it is software from what I read of the 90 unit diploma he did in year 1 ) - this way he / we / I could go to the BTEC lead and say I am not happy with the standard of teaching,is it possible that the other units could be opened up so that son (who is very willing I might add, I am not being a pushy mum), can do these units in his own time and BTEC lead mark them. I realise that this would mean more work,but seeing as the college know there is a problem with this tutor, surely it would be fair to allow it for someone who wants to try to get distinctions (there are plenty in his class who are only interested in doing the minimum and only attempting just the pass tasks).

If it is left until all the units have been taught there will be little time / possibly no time to try to improve.It annoys son that units are only opened up bit by bit,as he could be getting on with stuff,but he says the college do this so that people don't get ahead in one unit and then find they don't have enough time to complete the current unit they are on within the deadline- seems to me they should be encouraging the independent learning in preparation for Uni anyway.

Many thanks

I

Reply 8

cnova

Original post by Minionmum

Hi

Despite googling in several combinations I cannot find a list of all the units that can be taught in the Edexel BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in IT (180 credit)

Here is a list of the units available for extended diploma

Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT (QCF)

Mandatory units Credit Level
1 Communication and Employability Skills for IT
2 Computer Systems
3 Information Systems

Optional units
4 Impact of the Use of IT on Business Systems
5 Managing Networks
6 Software Design and Development
7 Organisational Systems Security
8 e-Commerce
9 Computer Networks
10 Communication Technologies
11 Systems Analysis and Design
12 IT Technical Support
13 IT Systems Troubleshooting and Repair
14 Event Driven Programming
15 Object Oriented Programming
16 Procedural Programming
17 Project Planning with IT
18 Database Design
19 Computer Systems Architecture
20 Client Side Customisation of Web Pages
21 Data Analysis and Design
22 Developing Computer Games
23 Human Computer Interaction
24 Controlling Systems Using IT
25 Maintaining Computer Systems
26 Mathematics for IT Practitioners
27 Web Server Scripting
28 Website Production
29 Installing and Upgrading Software
30 Digital Graphics
31 Computer Animation
Optional units continued Credit Level
32 Networked Systems Security
33 Supporting Business Activity
34 Business Resources

Specialist optional units
35 Digital Graphics for Interactive Media
36 Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
37 2D Animation Production
38 Interactive Media Authoring
39 Web Animation for Interactive Media
40 Computer Game Design
41 3D Modelling
42 Spreadsheet Modelling
43 Multimedia Design

Reply 9

Minionmum

Original post by cnova

Here is a list of the units available for extended diploma

Thanks cnova - that's a big help.

Reply 10

btectutor

Original post by Minionmum

Thanks cnova - that's a big help.

The main problem you will hit is that the college will not offer all of the units on the list.
I doubt that they will offer any choice at all other than the ones they currently deliver.

I would be requesting a meeting with the Head of Department, whether you son likes it or not.

rekt nerd

As not doing the mathematics for IT practitioners unit in the BTEC Extended Diploma and only have GCSE maths at C - can anyone recommend a decent It / computer science maths book to buy so can swot up before uni?

Reply 13

Minionmum

Anyone a) know the answer to above and b) anyone know the final date that college has to send off all the BTEC extended diploma work off to EDEXEL to be marked by? or do different colleges have different submission dates? as I think the college stop teaching the BTEC some time in May.

thanks

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 14

Binary Freak

Original post by Minionmum

Engineering Mathematics.. It is quite an in depth and difficult book to follow but it does however cover a vast majority of what would be taught on first year at uni.. Including matrix algebra and polar coordinates!! :smile:

Original post by Minionmum

See above and that's quite early I think.. But as for the final deadline.. I'm not entirely sure but I do think it varies.. Some places get it done mid year and others don't? You'd need to ask btectutor that :smile:

Reply 15

Minionmum

Original post by Binary Freak

Thanks ! I'll hit ebay - as starting to pick up the books Uni say I need for first year -

Reply 16

Binary Freak

Original post by Minionmum

Thanks ! I'll hit ebay - as starting to pick up the books Uni say I need for first year -

No problem. There's quite a few books with a similar name so the link is provided here

Reply 17

btectutor

Original post by Minionmum

b) anyone know the final date that college has to send off all the BTEC extended diploma work off to EDEXEL to be marked by? or do different colleges have different submission dates? as I think the college stop teaching the BTEC some time in May.

thanks

Colleges can set their own submission dates.
Also, nothing is sent off to the examboard for marking, it is all done by your tutors.

With the new BTEC assessment rules, I would be surprised if any deadlines are after the first week in May. Your tutors will need time to mark, return your work and then you will have 10 days to resubmit amendments. Also, if you have any retakes for Pass criteria, these would have to be signed off before the end of May. Your grades are usually declared to the examboard by the end of June.