Examiners' Conferences - Hodson Bay Athlone

linguist

Can I just say at the outset that this is not meant as an advert and I have absolutely no connection to the hotel.

These days I tend to book almost everything online and since the SEC couldn't be bothered telling examiners the following, I didn't know any better until I phoned the Hodson Bay to complain about their rates.

They actually have a bed and breakfast deal for those attending the examiners' conferences that is significantly better than their single occupancy deal not just on their own website but also on hotels.com and the like.

So if you are planning on staying at the Hodson Bay for your conference, phone them and get their conference rate. Perhaps we could all write on our examiners' reports that we would like it if the SEC would actually inform us of discounted rates at Athlone hotels next year. We are professionals going to a mandatory conference run by our employer and any bog-standard company would do that. The online rates available come to significantly more than our overnight expenses allow. Their special rate over the phone is fine at €89 single.

rainbowtrout

linguist wrote: »

Can I just say at the outset that this is not meant as an advert and I have absolutely no connection to the hotel.

These days I tend to book almost everything online and since the SEC couldn't be bothered telling examiners the following, I didn't know any better until I phoned the Hodson Bay to complain about their rates.

They actually have a bed and breakfast deal for those attending the examiners' conferences that is significantly better than their single occupancy deal not just on their own website but also on hotels.com and the like.

So if you are planning on staying at the Hodson Bay for your conference, phone them and get their conference rate. Perhaps we could all write on our examiners' reports that we would like it if the SEC would actually inform us of discounted rates at Athlone hotels next year. We are professionals going to a mandatory conference run by our employer and any bog-standard company would do that. The online rates available come to significantly more than our overnight expenses allow. Their special rate over the phone is fine at €89 single.

You don't HAVE to stay in the Hodson Bay Hotel just because the conference is there. Seriously do you think the SEC has anything better to do than look up hotel room rates and post them out along with all the other paperwork? Not all conferences take place at that hotel or indeed in hotels. Mine are usually in Athlone IT. That means I have to make an independent decision about where to stay in Athlone myself. It's not difficult.

Fad

Hudson Bay has an amazing location.......

Tempted to book in with the discounted rate >_>

whirlwind

sorry guys i wonder if any of you who are heading to the conference could give me a bit of info of what to expect.

I got a call on Tuesday while abroad and asked would i be able to attend as a reserve on the 22nd at 10am. But i will not recieve any written confirmation.

I wasn't in the position at the time to ask for details( i was on my mobile in Europe) Anyway, i haven't been to this before so...

1. What time does it finish at each day and what are the breaks?
2. What should i wear, formal or smart casual or what? (iam male)
3. Do you get expenses and for what? travel, accomation and food?
4. As a reserve, what are my chances of actually correcting exams and will i do the same as others at the conference
5. Do i have to stay in Athlone or if possible to commute can i do it?
6. Finally, what exactly should i expect, do you go to a group for your subject and go through marking for the paper? or is there more to it than that?


sorry for the list of qustions put i got no info from examinations. I plan to ring them on Monday as well btw but if you have any info that helps thanks

rainbowtrout

whirlwind wrote: »

sorry guys i wonder if any of you who are heading to the conference could give me a bit of info of what to expect.

I got a call on Tuesday while abroad and asked would i be able to attend as a reserve on the 22nd at 10am. But i will not recieve any written confirmation.

I wasn't in the position at the time to ask for details( i was on my mobile in Europe) Anyway, i haven't been to this before so...

1. What time does it finish at each day and what are the breaks?
2. What should i wear, formal or smart casual or what? (iam male)
3. Do you get expenses and for what? travel, accomation and food?
4. As a reserve, what are my chances of actually correcting exams and will i do the same as others at the conference
5. Do i have to stay in Athlone or if possible to commute can i do it?
6. Finally, what exactly should i expect, do you go to a group for your subject and go through marking for the paper? or is there more to it than that?


sorry for the list of qustions put i got no info from examinations. I plan to ring them on Monday as well btw but if you have any info that helps thanks

1. It'll finish around 4 ish, with a break for lunch. Some go on longer than others, some finish up around 3
2. Doesn't matter what you wear, normally for me it's whatever is clean on the day You are on holidays, it's not like school
3. You will get your expenses for travelling to the conference, so yes travel and food. If you live more than 50km from Athlone you will be given an overnight allowance that covers accommodation and food for the day. If you live less than 50km you will get a day allowance. You will also get mileage. There is also a conference fee for being there on the day. As a reserve you should get this whether you correct or not.
4. Your chances depend on the subject. In smaller subjects where there are less than 10 correctors say, your chances are small. In a subject where there are a lot of correctors, eg. core subjects, english, irish, maths, cspe etc etc, you have a far better chance. You didn't say what subject it is, but I'm guessing core because it's on so early. My conference isn't until July 6th. You will do the exact same as the other correctors at the conference because somebody might not turn up on day 2 that turned up on day 1 and you would have to take over from them, or someone might get sick during the corrections in say a week or so, and you might have to take over from them.
5. You do whatever suits you. No obligation to stay in Athlone.
6. There will be a few head examiners. They will go through each part of each question and give the answers as in the marking scheme that has been drafted. Then the correctors can offer alternative answers and it's argued out whether those answers will be accepted. Eg. In science if the colour change in an experiment is 'red' some correctors might argue would 'pink' be accepted as an answer. A bit of debate will ensue and a conclusion is reached. It won't happen for every question. Day one is usually going through the marking scheme. Day 2 everyone is given the same (real) exam to correct. A student's paper is photocopied and handed out. Everyone corrects it according to the agreed marking scheme. They then go through the answers to make sure everyone is giving the same marks for the same answers. They might do a few more practice papers as well. They then split you up into groups each assigned to an advising examiner who goes through the paperwork end of things and then you go to the SEC and collect your papers and away home with you.

whirlwind

thanks thats great to know all that, cheers.

Wex.

Hi guys. Correcting eng JCHL. Like some of above, I was away when I received phonecall to say I had been accepted for corrections so conversation was brief! Has anyone got written confirmation of times and dates etc? Im nearly sure she said 24th and 25th but can someone confirm this?!

rainbowtrout

Wex. wrote: »

Hi guys. Correcting eng JCHL. Like some of above, I was away when I received phonecall to say I had been accepted for corrections so conversation was brief! Has anyone got written confirmation of times and dates etc? Im nearly sure she said 24th and 25th but can someone confirm this?!

Quickest way would be to ring the dept today and confirm