“There is some good content in the course, and I feel I have learnt lots from it, but I have found the assesments slow to be marked, critical of things that dont really make sense, and the feedback from my lecturer to be very poor.”
“The application process was fairly smooth although I was told that there weren’t a lot of role plays which has not been the case. Being new to where I live I have found it extremely difficult finding people to participate and with role plays for almost all subjects the information I was given was incorrect. The learning platform is somewhat easy to navigate but it is slow and some of the information within the course is outdated. The course itself has been fine but I have found that you are just repeating yourself within the assessments. There is generally a question and answer assessment which is great, then the project assessments. These are relevant but when you are answering the same questions multiple times albeit with different scenarios it feels like a waste of time. Then you have to complete the role play with the same information you have answered numerous times previously! The subject content and assessments needs to be reviewed and updated more regularly.”
“Swinburne Open Education is educational institute with an easy to use online platform with resources and supports in place to help make the course as smoothe sailing as possible. I was able to get into contact with some amazing trainers who pushed me to finishing my course in Animal Care. With their support and guidance, I wouldn't have been able to get to where I am today. Thanks Swinburne Open Education!”
“The application process was pretty straight forward, the online learning platform has been difficult for me due to too many people on the forums at one time so unfortunately sometimes I am unable to get any answers that refer to my needs.
I have emailed the trainers for help some have been fantastic and others are just a bit blarzay.. I have tried to complete the assessments on my own knowledge, but then i can get behind as i have a hard time understanding some of the tasks. I feel the ROLE PLAY assessments aren't neccessary and I would have never thought this was part of the modules as i don't know how this benefits.
Don't get me started on the grading side..”
“some assessments are slow to be marked.
too much time is spent on excel spreadsheets, we are supposed to be learning about bookkeeping, not mastering excel.
a couple of the assessments have the same questions in them.
too much time is spent on writing emails for the assesments, once we have completed one, that should be enough to show our ability.
training sessions should be run at different times of the day and different days to allow those that work to join in.”
“i like the way the moodle files give information and it is easy to find any information for learning and making assessment. The other Universities have 170 hours of unpaid placement while swinburne expect 200 hours of placement and the procedure for placement is complicated also the assessments are too lenghthy. student services sometimes do not reply email at all. Unlocking the modules takes forever.”
“i have been studying with swinburne open for almost over 18 months, and have struggled with feeling isolated. there is no class presence or any sense of togetherness, which can sometimes be nice, but when you do a course for 18 months and have no peers to talk to it can feel very very lonely. the course content has been fantastic and i enjoy the learning style, but the connection with students and trainers is not very noticeable especially since you constantly switch your trainer and never get the chance to form much of a connection”
“Really enjoying the course work but the Placement Portfolio does not match Cert 2 requirements, there is so much work involved that I have thought about dropping out of the course multiple times just due to the portfolio. The Portfolio is not hard just so time consuming and hard to get support from the uni regarding this.”
