Submission Chaos
Printed in Three Copies
The University has no specific guidelines as to how submission of assignments should be organised. Some assignments are handed in by e–mail, some downloaded to Classfronter whereas other assignments are printed in three copies.
The University of Oslo is reluctant to standardised electronic submission. The routine, for many modules, is still to let students print their exam papers and submit them in person in three copies. It is up to each department whether they want electronic submission or not.
“I miss a standard procedure as to how assignments are to be handed in,” Johannes Wilm (24), an Anthropology postgraduate, says.
He does modules where assignments are to be handed in both electronically and personally.
“Oftentimes, obligatory assignments have to be submitted in three copies. I think there should be a quota of 250 pages for each module,” Wilm says.
Leader of the Student Parliament Erik Nedrelid is gutted.
“It is appalling that students have to pay for obligatory assignments. Perhaps the University should charge for wear and tear of the halls and light bulbs as well,” he snorts.
He also works towards an all–electronic submission standard procedure, especially the obligatory.
“It is both more environmental and it saves students a great deal of money,” he points out.
Deputy University Chancellor Inger Stray Lien points out that the free quota is not meant to cover the needs in terms of assignments and exam papers, only information.
“Students` expenses in the event of assignments have never been covered,” she says.
Faculty Director Marianne Mancini also holds that it will be impossible to hand in all assignments electronically.
“All assignments cannot be submitted electronically at the moment for safety reasons. A lot of things can happen on the way to submission, and we want to make sure that the right person is handing in,” she says.
College professor Bengt Engan at Bodø University College has been involved in the development of Classfronter and holds that there is no technical hazard that would make electronic submission impossible. Engan feels that the only hazard is incompetence from administration and teachers.
“Classfronter accepts all formats. My experience is that students adjust well and are good with computers. I rather think that teachers need guidance,” he states.
