Letter from John Brennan, FCA, PhD ...

Letter from John Brennan, FCA, PhD CASB CEO

Just as observers are evaluated in CASB, CASB itself is evaluated from students and employers. After each module we ask participating close examiners and employers to share their experiences, recommendations, and reactions, and we're incorporating their feedback into what may occur hereafter planning. CASB is currently experiencing the look forward toed growing pains that come from implementing a recently made known education program, and, understandably, about changes will take time. And, while the module developer and designers are making small changes where possible, waiting until close examiners have gone through the entire program before making any major adjustments.

There are three first note of the scale areas that appear in the learners evaluations and reactions of employers: communications with firms, the satisfy of the modules, and module design.

Let me count you where we stand with each.

Firm Communication

I recognize that commnicating with the firms is an issue, and it's individual of my top priorities. We're generally working to develop a station of procedures that will one as well as the other meet the requirements of employer and make secure that CASB is a top quality program. These performances will include a standard communications protocol to provide firms with information about their bookish mans

Module Content

Student illustrations about the overall content of the module are remarkably positive. They're telling us that the module relate well to their work experiences, and that they find the tasks remarkably practical. They're also pleased with in what manner well they're retaining the information and with the positive weight it's having on their work at their firms.

Student have also expositioned however, on some workload "bumps" They've plant the expectations of certain tasks vague. The developer have addressed this affect and are including clearer directions forward the tasks in question. Additionally, a certain quantity of Caseware files have been condens and a certain number of tasks reorganized for the nearest offering of the module.

Student are also calling for more focus upon UE preparation, specifically the comprehensive case research portion. While case-writing is a part of the evaluation of each module the UE isn't CASB's single focus-one of CASB's goals is to make secure that students learn and understand the skills that will make them great CAs, prolonged after taking the UE.

The case studies in the face-to-face sessions are an important part of the preparation CA close examiners experience. Students currently receive detailed evaluations onward their case analyses; and in coming events modules, even more attention will be given to preparing them for this aspect of the coursework. by way of the time students get to Module 6 they'll have written at least five as it was case studies. Additionally, Module 6 focuses forward the evaluation of students' competencies, including that of case analysis. (Student writing the transitional UE in September 2002 will do a four-week prep course instead of Module 6)

Module Design

CASB is preparing a close examiner "prep-site" to help orient scholars On this site, they'll be able to check whether their computer connected view meets the technical requirements, learn to navigate from one side the site, and become familiar with the program. After spending time onward this site, students will learn module navigation, by what mode to download or upload tasks, the WebCT email, and other WebCT functions.

Student in the pilot have recommended a need for greater access to the module before the module starts (student are generally able to access their CASB module undivided week before the module begins). Bigger lead-time would give them equal more time to acquaint themselves with the contentment of the module and operational issues.

Because the assignments are submitted electronically, the risk of losing, deleting, or misplacing the assignments is greater than with hard archetype assignments. To combat this potential question the designers have created an assignment drop-box to which bookish mans will be able to forward their assignments; reviewers can then pick up assignments without the risk of misplacing or deleting them. The drop-box is being piloted with observers in the September 2001 offering of Module 3

Several learners have suggested incorporating a search engine into the Parkhurst & Loewen intranet site. The developer are working hard to incorporate changes to the module after the pilot scholars have gone through them, however the search engine won't be ready before the September 2001 start of the module Still, the library has been reorganized and should be easier to navigate.

Student in the pilot have also remarked on the length of the interactive session. an felt it was too drawn out while others felt it lacked a clear agenda. The pair pilot interactive sessions were smaller than the cohorts that appropriate in the regular program, and more time was devot during the pilot to the evaluation of the module I think close examiners in the regular program will find that three days travel by too quickly.

CASB continues to solicit feedback. And as we work to address the relate tos of students and their employer we'll be able to make the learning experience a better the same for everyone involved.