What happens when IT equipment fails?

The following examples typically represent some of the most frequently encountered situations with appropriate guidance given.   

 Circumstances and guidelines involving IT equipment failure which prevented you from acquiring

skills/knowledge/competencies:

•  Failure of your personal computer or laptop

 If you encounter problems with your personal laptop or desktop equipment during the time of assessment submission, then evidence of having the equipment repaired/enhanced at a service/repair outlet, during the assessment period, must be provided. Failure to provide any evidence, would result in the claim being rejected.

• Failure of network connection

If you encounter network connectivity issues which affects your work during the assessment submission whether its examination or assignment submission, then evidence of the network issue with appropriate time stamp and screen shots must be provided along with any related engagement with the concerned lecturer or invigilation staff, without which the claim will be rejected. 

• Failure to provide appropriate software

 If you choose to do an individual project based on a particular version/type of software, then the onus is upon you to ensure that this software is available prior to starting the project. This action should form part of your project plan, and any problems arising from compatibility or availability of appropriate software would not be accepted as valid extenuating circumstances on the basis that it would show an      inappropriate lack of planning.

• Insufficient computers in the lab for the class size

 It would be expected that the lecturer concerned would take appropriate action in such an eventuality and if necessary take this issue into account as part of the assessment of the module.

•  Failure affecting a large number of systems at assignment deadline time

 If a significant number of computers were out of action for several hours then this might form the basis for  granting a short extension to the assignment deadline.

 You should request the Technical Assistant to countersign your claim for extenuating circumstances.

• Theft of home computer or laptop

Students are expected to make a backup copy of all their work on an appropriate backup device. This should be stored separately from the computer/laptop. A claim submitted on this basis would not be upheld.

• Insufficient computers/printers to do the work

 A claim submitted upon this basis would not be supported on the grounds that it would indicate lack of  advanced planning by you.

• APU/APIIT’s systems incompatible with home computer/laptop

 It would be expected that you should check that work brought in from home could be presented or printed at APU/APIIT well before an assessment deadline. A claim submitted on this basis would not be upheld.

• Failure of the computer resulting in an inability to save work

 A claim submitted on this basis should always be accompanied by the submission of the latest draft of  your work.

•  The computer labs closed earlier than expected

 A claim submitted upon this basis would not be supported on the grounds that it would indicate a lack of advanced planning by you.

• Failure of a Backup Device

This is one of the most common claims for extenuating circumstances and is rarely upheld. If you are expected to be computer literate, you should have a secure back up copy of your work and therefore should not be affected seriously by the loss of work from your backup device.

If your backup device does fail, you must submit the latest draft of your work by the normal hand-in date for that piece of work. It would certainly not be acceptable for a final year student to submit a claim on this basis.

• Failure of both main disk and back up device

There may be occasions when a faulty system may have caused the corruption of all of your storage device. It may be possible for APU/APIIT Technical Services staff to confirm that this had occurred and it is expected that you would be able to submit the latest draft of your work.