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2001 will be the year of the net for the Qualifications Authority. Most services to students and providers are moving rapidly towards delivery on the web site. The immediate aim is to give all half-million National Qualifications Framework learners access to their full Record of Learning.

By the end of 2002 the Authority’s web services will enable NCEA candidates to explore and analyse their own results.

2001 started with two major developments: Bursaries candidates were able to access their results for the first time via Internet, and tertiary providers were able to access Record of Learning numbers.

“I love the new NZQA web site. I am able to look up the Record of Learning without hassling NZQA or sending in hook on fees and getting a refund because students were already hooked on.” Melissa

It is likely that Internet access to results will be extended to other examination results next year. The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, the brief delay in activating Bursaries results was caused by about 5 000 users trying to hit the site simultaneously.

Access to Records of Learning (ROL) is important for tertiary providers. Polytechnics often find that enrolling students either don’t know their Framework identification number or are not even sure that they are hooked on. From the end of 2000, all providers have been able to use a password to access ROL numbers, removing laborious checking, duplication and fee refunds. Providers enter the learner’s name and date of birth to see the ROL number.

The next step is to give each learner access to their full Record of Learning. Learner Information Manager, Linda Forsyth, sees this as a logical move. “We have the technology and just need to ensure privacy. It will save the learners and our staff a great deal of time.” Registered Framework learners will be allocated personal identification numbers and will need those, with their ROL number, to be able to download and print results.

“The ROL database is updated every fortnight. With results coming in progressively throughout the year, it’s important that learners can get a fresh copy of their current results before applying for a job or enrolling in a new programme,” says Linda Forsyth.

The web site is now seen as the primary publication channel for all NZQA communications. Bill Lennox, Communications Manager, says all publications are formatted for both print and web site distribution. “We now expect all communications, including circulars, brochures, regulations, sample exam questions and QA News, to be written and formatted with web publication in mind.”

“We will continue to provide everything we publish on paper. The Authority deals with a huge range of organisations and individuals, and we will match their levels of technology. But many smaller and more remote organisations are already very reliant on our web site.”

In the week following the 10 January release of Bursaries results, about 12.000 students used the NZQA web site. This is more than half of all the candidates. By comparison 14.000 called the 0900 telephone service. More than 2.600 candidates logged on from overseas, the greatest number from the United States.

The NCEA is already web enabled. The Authority has been publishing sample NCEA examination questions on its web site since mid-2000. These are not published on paper unless requested. NCEA results will use the web’s wider possibilities, says Bill Lennox.

“By the end of 2002 we expect to offer NCEA learners two levels of results: they will be able to see the credits, grades and levels that appear on the ROL, but also be able to explore and analyse their results. For example, learners will be able to see how many others gained excellence for particular achievement standards, or work out their grade average for a particular area of study. They will be able to tailor and order their results to suit whatever purpose they need.”

Quality Assurance Services (QAS) is to publish its rewritten registration and accreditation requirements on the web site. The standards, used mainly by private training establishments, will be explained in a more straightforward way, and links to notes, glossaries and regulations will provide a multi-layered guide.

The QAS Self-Evaluation Guide and Workbook, used by providers prior to the new quality audits, is about to go on the web site. Providers will be able to download the detailed template and use it electronically or on paper as they review their quality systems. Then the finished evaluation can be emailed or posted to the Authority.