ITLA: updated 15 Sept 11

FAQS FOR ASSIGNMENT

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS

QF1 Where do I find/locate assignment questions?

AF1 Assignment question can be found in your MyVLE.

To view /download your assignment question:
1. Click on the course code in the myCourse and Quick Links area
2. Under the Course Tools, click on Assignment link
3. Click on the Assignment Title for example Mei 2011: OUMH1103 Soalan Assignment
(OUMH1103)
4. On the ‘Question’ tab, you may click on the link to download the question

QF2 Can I exceed the word limit determined by the assignment requirement?

AF2 Kindly follow the instruction on the cover page of your assignment question.

QF3 • How do I name the assignment file? Is there a naming convention?

• Is there a specific filename format for my online assignment?

AF3 There is no specific format for filenames, our system will convert the filename automatically
once you submit your assignment.

QF4 Can I save my assignment in more than 1 file type?

AF4 Assignment file must follow the Faculty requirements as stated in front page of the assignment
question.

QF5 Can I submit more than 1 file at a time online?

AF5 No, you can only submit 1 file at a time online.

QF6 When can I view my assignment marks?

AF6 Assignments marks can be viewed ONE week before the final examination.

QF7 How can I view my assignment marks/ where do I view my assignment marks?

AF7 To view Assignment Marks, please do the following:

1. Click on myProfile in MyVLE
2. Click on Examination Result, then View Current Semester’s Result
3. Click on Coursework Grade

QF8 How do I know if a subject has assignment as a component of ongoing assessment?

AF8 Subject assessment can be found in your MyVLE:

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1. Click on the course code in the myCourse and Quick Links area
2. Click on Assessment Info under Course Tools and you can view the details of the
assessment.

QF9 What should I do if my ongoing assessments/marks is not updated?

AF9 If your ongoing asessments are not updated, please refer to Helpdesk, MyVLE.

AF10 Where do I download the exam time table or schedule?

QF10 To download the exam time table:

1. Refer to Latest Announcement
2. Clik on Exam Announcement to view the schedule

PLAGIARISM/SIMILARITY

QP1 What is plagarism?

AP1 Plagiarism is defined as “close imitation," or "stealing and publication" of another author's
"language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and threating them as your own original work
(Oxford Dictionary; Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary).

In academia/university work (your assignment in particular), plagiarism is considered academic

dishonesty and a breach of journalistic ethics.

Plagiarism is disapproved on the grounds of moral offence, and cases of plagiarism can involve
liability for copyright infringement.

For more information about plagiarism, kindly surf:

http://plagiarism.org/plag_article_what_is_plagiarism.html.

QP2 What does plagarism check?

AP2 Plagiarism checks the orginality of your assignment against other people’s work.

QP3 What is similarity check?

AP3 Similarity check is conducted once you submit your assignment. This exercise compares the
content of your assignment against all other learners’ assignments for resemblance.

QP4 If my assignment contains Appendix with articles, will they be counted in the similarity checking?

AP4 No

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QP5 If my report contains direct quotations, will they be counted in the similarity checking?

AP5 Yes. Similarity check compares the content of your assignment against all other learners’
assignments for resemblance.

QP6 To what extent do I need to rephrase the statements from certain sources so that they will not be
counted in the similarity checking?

AP6 Similarity check compares the content of your assignment against all other learners’
assignments for resemblance. The analysis include all statements regardless of whether they
are rephrased.

QP7 What is APA referencing?

AP7 When you are asked to write in APA Style® in your assignment, it means referring to the
editorial style that many of the social and behavioural sciences have adopted to present written
material in the field.

APA Style was first developed by a group of social scientists about 80 years ago. They wished to
form sound standards of communication. Since then, the APA Style has been adopted by experts
in many fields and has been used by writers around the world. (American Psychological
Association, 2011)

For more information, kindly refer to http://apastyle.org/about-apa-style.aspx

QP8 I am confused when gathering data for answering assignments following the ‘APA styles’. Do we
need to reconstruct using our own sentences, or can I present it exactly as I found it? The
problem is that what I have done so far were sometimes accepted and sometimes not accepted.

AP8 Your assignments require you to attempt a particular task and present it as your own original
work.

Presenting an idea or work as your own exactly as you found it is considered as plagiarism.
However, cases of plagiarism can be avoided by citing where you get the information and
rephrasing it as your own.

In order to prevent plagiarism, you need to simply acknowledge that certain material has been
borrowed, and providing your audience with the necessary information to locate that source.

The APA referencing style can help you acknowledge original material.

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MARKS/GRADES
QG1 Who grades the online submission assignments?

AG1 e-Graders grade the assignments. E-Graders consist of OUM’s lecturers or subject matter
experts (SMEs) in the particular field.

QG2 How do I recheck if I am not happy with my assignments’ marks? What are the procedures?

AG2 You may fill up the ‘Borang Permohonan Semak Semula Gred Assignment’. This electronic form
is available in e-Services > Exam Online. A fee of RM50 per assignment will be invoiced to
your account for this service.

QG3 What is the grading system for online assignment submission?

AG3 OUM adopts the criterion-referenced assessment method for its assignment. In this sytem,
well-trained graders will award marks to learners who managed to display a desired response
(a report, an article, a design, etc.) as closely as possible to the description of the cells based
on the criteria outlined.

This method of assessment uses the analytic rubric. This rubric specifies the criteria to be
assessed clearly at each performance level. A separate score for each criterion is awarded so
that graders apply the same criteria and standards when grading.

At the end of the grading exercise, the grader will provide feedback on learners’ performance.

QG4/ When can I view my assignments marks?

QF7
AG4/ Assignments marks can be viewed ONE week before the final examination.
AF7
QG5/ How can I view my assignment marks?
QF8
AG5/ To view Assignment Mark, please do the following:
AF8 1. Click on myProfile in MyVLE
2. Click on Examination Result, then View Current Semester’s Result
3. Click on Coursework Grade

QG6 If I recheck the assignments, can the marks be lower?

AG6 Yes, it is possible that the marks may be lower than the original marks.

QG7 Who marks the assignment ? Face-to-face (f2f) tutors or Centralised Examiner?

AG7 The online submission assignments are graded centrally by e-Graders. e-Graders consist of
OUM’s lecturers or subject matter experts (SMEs) in the particular field. However, the by-hand
submissions are graded by the face-to-face tutors.

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ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION

QS1 How do I send my assignment online?

AS1 To submit your assignment online, please do the following:

1. Click on the course code in the myCourse and Quick Links area
2. Under the Course Tools, click on Assignment link
3. Click on the Assignment Title for example Mei 2011: OUMH1103 Soalan Assignment
(OUMH1103)
4. On the ‘Submission’ tab, you may click on the online submission link to browse for
your assignment file
5. Once the correct file is selected, click on ‘Submit’

QS2 Could I send my draft to my e-tutor for checking prior sending my final draft?

AS2 Your e-tutor cannot mark your work. You may send what you have to your e-tutor to check
and provide general comments only. Discuss this possibility with your e-tutor first.
QS3 What should I do when I have submitted my assignment online but could not print the receipt?

AS3 You may contact Executives at The Institute for Teaching and Learning Advancement (ITLA) for
confirmation. Visit: http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

QS4 I had tried to submit my assignment online a few times but failed and the due date is
approaching. Can I send a hard copy to my learning center or to OUM?

AS4 No, the assignment must be submitted online. Please contact ITLA Executives with regards to
this issue. Visit: http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

QS5 • How do I know whether OUM received my assignments?

• How can I verify whether my assignment has been successfully submitted online?

AS5 You are able to download and print a receipt of assignment submitted from MyVLE. In
addition, the status in Assignment link, will change from ‘Not Submitted’ to ‘Submitted’

QS6 What do I do if I have problems submitting my assignments?

AS6 You should contact ITLA Executives or approach the Learning Centre (LC) Administor to help
you to upload your assignments. Visit:
http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

QS7 If I found that I had sent a wrong file, can I resubmit and how can I do it?

AS7 Yes, you can resubmit your assignment. Please contact ITLA Executives to inform them and get
assistance on resubmitting. Visit:
http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

If you are not aware that you had sent in the wrong file and the grading process has begun,

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an email will be sent to your OUM email by your grader if you have submitted the wrong file.
Kindly check and reply your OUM email.

QS8 Can I send assignments after the deadline?

AS8 No, all assignments need to be submitted before the deadline.

QS9 If I failed to submit my online assignment on time due to reasons beyond my control, can I still
submit my assignment?

AS9 Contact ITLA Executives pertaining this issues. Visit:

http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

QS10 If I did not submit my assignments, can I still sit for my final examination?

AS10 Yes, you can still sit for your final examination.

QS11 What to do if I have submitted the assignments but due to work comittments, I cannot sit for
the final examination?

AS11 You are eligible for REFER status, meaning, you can apply to sit for the final examination the
next semester.

QS12 If the first attempt to upload my assignment fails, can I resubmit?

AS12 Yes, you can resubmit online as long as it is within the deadline set.

QS13 What if I uploaded my assignment after the deadline, does the system accept my late
submission?

AS13 After the deadline, the online submission system will be closed.

QS14 If the system accepted my late submission, would penalty be imposed on me?

AS14 Assignments must be submitted before the deadline. After the deadline the online submission
system will be closed and late submissions will not be accepted.

QS15 I just realised I left out my appendix after uploading my assignment online, can I submit the
appendix portion or do I have to resubmit the whole assignment?

AS15 Assignments can only be submitted once. Please be extra careful when submitting your
assignment online.

QS16 Should I submit the hardcopy of my assignment to my f2f tutor in addition to submitting it
online?

AS16 No, that is not necessary.

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QS17 Should the assignment be accompanied by a cover page if I am required to submit the
hardcopy?

AS17 Kindly follow the requirements in the instruction of the assignment.

QS18 Do I send my assignment online or to the face-to-face tutor?

AS18 The mode of submission is stated on the cover of your assignment question.

QS19 When is the assignment submission deadline?

AS19 The deadline is stated on the cover of your assignment question.

QS20 How do I submit?

AS20 Unless specified, for:

1. online Assignment Submission

• You are required to submit your assignment via MyVLE.

2. face-to-face Assignment Submission

• You are required to submit to your face-to-face tutor.

QS21 I tried several times to submit my assignment, but unsuccessful. It is too late to email the
administrator as the deadline is just around the corner, what should I do?

AS21 Contact ITLA Executives pertaining this issues. Visit:

http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

QS22 I have already submitted my assignment and have the receipt, but the submission status still
shows ‘not submitted’. Does anyone know to whom we can refer to solve this problem?

AS22 Contact ITLA Executives pertaining this issues. Visit:

http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

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RUBRIC

QR1 What is rubric?

AR1 A rubric is an assessment tool. It is shaped like a matrix with the left column describing the
assessment criteria (what your grader looks for in your assignment submission) and the top
row indicating levels of achievement of the criteria (your performance level).

QR2 Can I you use the criteria outlined in the rubrics as table of content or framework for my
assignment?

AR2 You should adhere to the requirements of the assignment whether or not your table of
content reflects the criteria in the rubric.

However, the criteria in the rubric outlines the requirement of the assignment. You may
consider it to be the framework of your assignment.

QR3 • What should be in the content of my assignment?

• Should answers follow the rubrics that has been provided?

AR3 Your assignment content should reflect the requirement stated in the assignment question
and the criteria outlined in the rubric.

QR4 • How do I attempt my assignment?

• Can you help explain step by step as to how I should answer the assignment following the
rubrics that OUM has provided?

AR4 You should first have an understanding of the requirements in the question. Following that,
attempt your assignment (data gathering, interview, material preparation, or literature
search, depending on the question) based on the criteria stated in the rubric.

You should adhere as closely as possible to the most desireable requirements stated or
explained in the cells (of the rubric) with the highest score. Pay more attention to the
emphasised criteria indicated by the higher weightage.

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CONTACT

QC1 Who should I refer if I have questions about my assignment?

AC1 • For issues related to face-to-face assignment and subject matter, please refer to your
faculty.

o Visit: http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

• For matters related to online assignments, please refer to ITLA Staff.

o Visit: http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

QC2 I tried several times to submit my assignment, but unsuccessful. It is too late to email the
administrator as the deadline is just around the corner, what should I do?

AC2 Kindly contact ITLA Executives pertaining this issues. Visit:

http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us

QC3 I have already submitted my assignment and have the receipt, but the submission status still
shows ‘not submitted’. Does anyone know to whom we can refer to solve this problem?

AC3 Kindly contact ITLA Executives pertaining this issues. Visit:

http://www2.oum.edu.my/v2/modules.php?name=Contact_Us