How do I start an online module?
Please register your interest to join an online module through the booking page on the Playcentre website – go to Current Members/Education/ Find a workshop or online module and scroll down the page to the computer symbol, click on the words “ONLINE MODULES.” All online modules available are found here and are offered nationally not regionally. Once we have confirmed your eligibility for the module you will be added to list of those registered and when the online module is loaded you will be sent a link from the iQualify site to begin the unit when it goes live.
How do online modules compare with face to face workshops?
Face to face modules occur at a set time and place and often require a minimum number of learners to be run. Online modules are more flexible and can accommodate unlimited numbers. The online part of the learning is mostly self-guided. What this means for you as a learner is that you have more choice, but greater responsibility. Self-guided means you set the pace and choose how and when to complete readings, videos and activities. Self-guided also means you are responsible for checking your answers against our model answers or feedback.
In face to face delivery the content is provided through a series of workshops while online the content may be provided as a course with sections that are comparable to the face to face workshops. For example in module B401 workshop 1 is comparable to section 1 online.
What equipment or skills do I need?
A tablet, smart phone, laptop or PC will work with the iQualify platform. You do not need specific software. If find having only a smart phone limits your online experience contact Haley Brown (the Student Support Co-ordinator for online students) as Playcentre Education does have some chromebooks available for online students to borrow at no cost.
The skills required are basic – If you can look up a website, use a google search, send an email, understand what download or upload a file means, use a smart phone you will have the skills to use the IQualify online platform. If you have used internet banking, Trade Me, or an online account such as my MSD or similar you will be skilled enough. There are support pages and ‘help’ built into the online platform.
What does it cost?
As with workshops there is no cost to students – Playcentre pays the tutor support and online platform access costs. We have also paid the copyright licence costs for material shared with you for your own study.
Do I get written course materials?
You will not get a booklet but you can download content from the platform to your device for reading later offline. You can also print articles or readings for your own study.
What if there are no modules listed or they all seem to be full?
For online modules there is no limit on the numbers who can register to join a group. Around the end of each month we process all eligible current registrations to be sent an invitation to access the online platform. If you have not yet returned your enrolment pack or met an eligibility requirement for the module your name will remain on a wait list to be put into one of the next group that we set up. You do not need to re-register when the module is reoffered – you keep your place on the wait list until you have met the starting requirements and there are sufficient students ready to start the next group.
In the Christmas holidays there may be no modules on offer for a few weeks – a yellow notice banner on the Introductory page will advise you when to look for the first offer in the New Year.
What is the eligibility criteria to do an online module?
The eligibility is made clear on the advertisement for the particular module.
New Students
If you have not started any of the Playcentre Education NZ Certificate in ECE and Care level 4 programme at all your first module must be B401. Before being granted access to B401 as an online module you must complete a full Playcentre Education enrolment form and Safety Check forms and provide ID to verify your identity and that you are a domestic student. You will be sent an Education enrolment pack and instructions when you register for a B401 online – the enrolment process is fully described on the Playcentre website.
Previous students transferring from the former Playcentre Diploma programme also need to return an Education enrolment pack to enter the new qualification: Those with Course 2 start at B402 and Course 3 start at B404.
Existing students
If you have already started the Playcentre Education level 4 programme, and have been admitted to the programme (you have provided a full Education enrolment form, police vet and safety check forms and provided ID) you can continue with further modules online. The programme has a set of requirements or pre-requisites that define the order in which modules can be undertaken. These apply both to face to face and online study.
- You must complete the PIA (both B401 and B402) before starting a PEA module (B403 or B404);
- You must complete the PEA (both B403 and B404) and your Safety Check process must have been completed before starting the C-series modules;
- The first C-series module is C405 and you must have submitted an assessment in C-405 before you attempt any other C-series module.
Why might I have to wait to start?
We build up a list of eligible students until we have around 20 students to form a group who will begin a module (be given access at the same time) with the same support tutor rather than offer open-ended indefinite access on an individual basis.
In addition, from a financial standpoint we need to manage the start and end dates in a sensible way as Playcentre pays to access the platform on a per student per calendar month basis.
We will continue to form new groups to satisfy demand as the numbers registered build up. You will not miss out even if a lot of people register before you do.
You will have been advised if you need to do something to meet eligibility requirements before you can start.
Why does the online course have an end date and what does it mean?
Research is clear that it is better for students to have a defined access period that is adequate to allow completion, even at a slow rate, rather than have open-ended indefinite access. It helps with focus and motivation for students and in managing group tutor support.
The access period defines the time during which you can complete the online content with tutor support – this is between four and eight weeks depending on the module. There is no deadline for submitting assessments although it is good to attempt the assessment sooner rather than later while the learning material is fresh.
After the end date you can still access the module in your “past courses” to read and work through the learning material and to submit the module assessment in the online assessment unit but you will no longer have regular tutor support.
What happens with assessments if I do the module online?
The assessments for a module are exactly the same regardless of whether the delivery was online or face to face. Once you have progressed through the learning material you can submit your assessment through the i-Qualify learning platform and your support tutor will be your commenter. Once your online module ends you will have ‘reading’ access for an extended period, which will allow you to review the learning materials to help you complete your assessment.
There is no time limit for submitting assessments. If you do not submit during the extended ‘reading’ period after the online module ends you should email your online tutor to say you have submitted your assessment as the tutor will no longer be regularly checking for past groups for newly submitted assessments. Alternatively, if there is a long delay (4-6 months after the end date) in submitting your assessment you can submit your assessment through the usual national assessment email ([email protected])
What sort of support do I get?
Although you will be responsible for checking your own answers, you do still have the support of your tutor and fellow learners if you get stuck. Feel free to post questions to your learning group in the i-Qualify talk channels and contribute to discussions to help others if you can.
Don’t forget, you probably also know some people around you, your family, friends, other parents and colleagues at Playcentre that might be able to help. Reflecting on your learning and the ideas discussed during your practical experience in Playcentre sessions will contribute to your understanding of the links between theories and practical application.
Connecting with others is a great step in really consolidating the concepts in a course as you discuss and clarify your ideas either with others online or in your centre.
