The IT Tralee 'off-topic' thread

Opinicus

kerry4sam: Hey everyone,

Just thought y'all might might a general off-topic thread in here. You can post anything you want (within reason of course), post pics, slag each other off etc etc. You get the idea anyway.

Right so lets start coming together and see who is the real comedians of the forum

Just a quick note to the mods: I can't see ITTralee in the drop down menu in the EDU section just thought I'd let ye know.

G_R

Opinicus wrote: »

Just a quick note to the mods: I can't see ITTralee in the drop down menu in the EDU section just thought I'd let ye know.

Yeah I've noticed that myself, not too sure what it is but I'm working on it!

kerry4sam

Opinicus wrote: »

Just a quick note to the mods: I can't see ITTralee in the drop down menu in the EDU section just thought I'd let ye know.

Grand_Rajnah wrote: »

Yeah I've noticed that myself, not too sure what it is but I'm working on it!

Yeah I've been told that with all new forums that it takes just a bit for it to appear in the drop downs when the server refreshes the menu lists, and your local cache updates


Thanks Opinicus.

G_R

kerry4sam wrote: »

Yeah I've been told that with all new forums that it takes just a bit for it to appear in the drop downs when the server refreshes the menu lists, and your local cache updates


Thanks Opinicus.

A ha, that explains that so.

Looks like my PM's were in Vain!

kerry4sam

Grand_Rajnah wrote: »

A ha, that explains that so.

Looks like my PM's were in Vain!

not at all Grand_Rajnah. Keep em on their toes eh

Yakult

Not going to the ITT (or my fave TIT) until next year or year after. Been their loads of times tho, Nice college and people. (From Listowel myself.)

Mod's may I ask if theirs any singers attending the college? And that if their is to pm me as my band are currently looking for a singer. Played for the music society (Or what ever it was called) a few times and for rag week! Great laugh.

If its inappropriate, delete away

kerry4sam

Yakult wrote: »

Not going to the ITT (or my fave TIT) until next year or year after. Been their loads of times tho, Nice college and people. (From Listowel myself.)

Mod's may I ask if theirs any singers attending the college? And that if their is to pm me as my band are currently looking for a singer. Played for the music society (Or what ever it was called) a few times and for rag week! Great laugh.

If its inappropriate, delete away

Yeah they have a music society alright. I'm sure their are singers attending the college but I don't yet know of any. I would suggest you
- call the societies office on their direct line: 066 7191782 (North Campus)
- call into the college and maybe out a notice up on one of the notice-boards
I know that they organise open-mic nights throughout the year so maybe contact them & find out when they will be held and you might be able to arrange some-thing there?*
*just a suggestion

If anyone has any info, I'm sure they will contact you direct via pm after reading this

Yakult

^Thanks for that! Good info

hacx

I'm a singer. I wont be going til next year, though.

Also, the open day is on soon.

Opinicus

I think they usually have their open night mics in Turner's

11811

Opinicus wrote: »

I think they usually have their open night mics in Turner's

That would be Baileys Corner!

kerry4sam

I wonder if many past-ITTralee students miss the college; miss the tralee night-life; miss Tralee town itself

djnr8

Alright lads, not in IT Tralee, but have a number of links with the place. Just want to wish ye luck with the forum and hopefully it will be a great resource to you all. I know you've worked hard to get it approved

Lisha

I wonder if many past-ITTralee students miss the college; miss the tralee night-life; miss Tralee town itself

Yes, I do miss it, had a ball there, from Sept 95-98, but its really changed since then.....I my day:D:D, we just had original campus, and various rooms dotted about the town.... The new science block I would love to see.
The night life was great craic, the haven rocked .

enjoy it all guys

Opinicus

Lisha wrote: »

we just had original campus, and various rooms dotted about the town....

Never knew that. Did the college rent houses or hotel meeting rooms or something like that?

KarmaBaby

Opinicus wrote: »

Never knew that. Did the college rent houses or hotel meeting rooms or something like that?

I think they used some of the rooms in the secondary school next to the south campus. The North Campus is only 6 years old and I think the original plans haven't even been fully met yet. They're still building.

Lisha

Hi OPinicus

(Obviously i did not do computers, I still cant bloody figure how to quote on this:pac::D)

I did scienc e course, we had our french class in the kerryman offices.

I remember biz students going to place near the brogue for classes.

I did some exams in secondary school gym out listowel ( i think ) road

Opinicus

Lisha wrote: »

(Obviously i did not do computers, I still cant bloody figure how to quote on this:pac::D)

Just hit the quote button on the bottom of whatever post you want to reply to.

If you want to quote multiple posts then hit the multi-quote button next to that, do the same for any other posts you want to quote and then hit reply at the bottom of the page. It will list all the quotes you added by the multi-quote button.

Lisha wrote: »

I did science course, we had our french class in the kerryman offices.

I remember biz students going to place near the brogue for classes.

I did some exams in secondary school gym out listowel ( i think ) road

Did Applied Biology in the south campus back in 04/05 when I thought that was the area I would like to work in. Loved the subject and the science (still do!), not the jobs we got on work experience unfortunately.

Most of the exams now are held in the Business and Nurses buildings along with the Sports Complex hall.

-Trek-

Anyone hear rumours about next weeks protest, is their local strike happening too?

siblers

Be surprised if anything local is happening as they seem to be trying to get as many go to Dublin as possible, just hope our classes on that day get cancelled, good few of my class are going.

-Trek-

I think they are trying to come to an agreement that no CA's would be scheduled for that day (don't quote me on that )

Fees are set to rise to €3000 next year, and €5000 the year after and the grant is to be cut by a further 30%

This was doing the rounds today, don't know how true it is, but if it is a lot of people could be in a spot of bother next year.

Lisha

Opinicus wrote: »

Just hit the quote button on the bottom of whatever post you want to reply to.

If you want to quote multiple posts then hit the multi-quote button next to that, do the same for any other posts you want to quote and then hit reply at the bottom of the page. It will list all the quotes you added by the multi-quote button.




Did Applied Biology in the south campus back in 04/05 when I thought that was the area I would like to work in. Loved the subject and the science (still do!), not the jobs we got on work experience unfortunately.

Most of the exams now are held in the Business and Nurses buildings along with the Sports Complex hall.

Thanks or that OPinicus,

siblers

-Trek- wrote: »

I think they are trying to come to an agreement that no CA's would be scheduled for that day (don't quote me on that )




This was doing the rounds today, don't know how true it is, but if it is a lot of people could be in a spot of bother next year.

Plus an extra Grand for me for already having attended third level. Good times indeed.

-Trek-

siblers wrote: »

Plus an extra Grand for me for already having attended third level. Good times indeed.

me too

Opinicus

siblers wrote: »

Plus an extra Grand for me for already having attended third level. Good times indeed.

Had to pay 3000 (1500 'registration' and 1500 tuition) a year for the last two years cos I had done a cert in Biology before. Was delighted to not have to pay it this year. Also qualified for a grant! OOOOhhhhh YEAH!:D

hacx

Would anyone be interested in a Morton's List society?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL9T4MI5g8k

KarmaBaby

-Trek- wrote: »

Anyone hear rumours about next weeks protest, is their local strike happening too?

The protest was postponed and there will be discussions about local action at tomorrow's class reps meeting.

I don't expect striking will be on the agenda at all, but I think a 24 hour strike on budget day is essential at this stage, and that should just be the beginning.

The Union are calling this next action the "last phase" of the campaign, which is ridiculous. There is no "last phase". The campaign should continue until they succeed. I think its obvious there wasn't really a campaign to begin with, just the usual lobbying, letter writing and the march. That's it.

No imagination, no leadership and no chance of success whatsoever as long we keep allowing right wing careerists into the union.

siblers

Yeah, wasn't overly impressed with the whole approach, when I was in college back in the good times in 2003, the approach back then seemed exactly the same as now.

kingdumb

Just a quick question, is there somewhere for posting about events that may interest ITT students ?

kerry4sam

kingdumb wrote: »

Just a quick question, is there somewhere for posting about events that may interest ITT students ?

You're more than welcome to start a new thread on the topic. That's a really good idea by-the-way

kerry4sam

Hope the semester is going well for all in IT Tralee

Keep up the hard-work guys; it will all be worth it once the year is over!

kerry4sam

Lynk

This semester has flown tbh. Hard to believe there is only 4 weeks left excluding tests.

Encrypted Pigeon

Yeah it has :eek: you can tell the end is near when the amount of project work starts stacking up

Lynk

I have 3 CA's this week alone. Gah! I wish I was back starting RAG Week. :[

Encrypted Pigeon

Just the 2 for me and a project presentation (which is going al right, so not bothered so much about that). Know what you mean, I could do with an extra week onto rag week (RAG fortnight ). Anyway, best of luck with it.

Encrypted Pigeon

free for 2 weeks \o/

well sort of, plenty to get done

siblers

When I was finished with a CA on wednesdsay I started to get slightly excited that the finishing line was alsmost in sight (the final exams will probably be the easiest part of the semester) and then bang, just suddenly remembered about the 2 damn projects I have to do

Opinicus

Google have 8-bit maps out for today (I think they would be cool to have all the time), you can click on quest on the top right corner of google maps to use it. Feels like Zelda IRL.

I know it's just a simple filter but it still looks cool

Encrypted Pigeon

Ha ha, maps for the NES, good one. Im still waiting for the Gmail tap app to become available on the android market.

alleystar

Do the IT Tralee staff ever answer their emails or phone-calls??? I know it's the summer but surely some of the staff should be back working especially for the month of August with the new first years coming in in only two and half weeks? Every other college I have contacted have replied immediately.

I noticed this lax attitude from IT Tralee before, when every other college I applied to through the CAO sent me an email or letter detailing their college/ their courses, however I didn't even receive an email from Tralee?? I don’t know whether this was the case with others who put the college down?

To be honest I think it reflects badly on the college and I really am re-considering going there in September if that's their attitude.

KarmaBaby

alleystar wrote: »

Do the IT Tralee staff ever answer their emails or phone-calls??? I know it's the summer but surely some of the staff should be back working especially for the month of August with the new first years coming in in only two and half weeks? Every other college I have contacted have replied immediately.

I noticed this lax attitude from IT Tralee before, when every other college I applied to through the CAO sent me an email or letter detailing their college/ their courses, however I didn't even receive an email from Tralee?? I don’t know whether this was the case with others who put the college down?

To be honest I think it reflects badly on the college and I really am re-considering going there in September if that's their attitude.

Forget emailing them anyway. You're always going to get things done by speaking to someone directly. Keep trying the phone.

It hasn't always been my experience that there is a delay in responding and I'm going into my fourth year, but it does happen from time to time. This is less of a reflection on the staff themselves and more of a reflection on a combination of two problems 1) understaffing thanks to cutbacks in the public sector and the moratorium on recruitment. 2) Overpaid department heads who shouldn't be trusted to run a sweet shop.

Also July/August is the only time most of the colleges administration and technical staff are allowed to take holidays (I know because I used to be one). So it tends to be difficult to catch the person you're looking for. Very frustrating for prospective students.

RabbleRouser2k

My advice to you alleystar, is don't go there. Seriously, take an alternative, second choice, whatever, because the quality of learning there is really sub par. You end up searching for tutorials on how to do something, because most lecturers will either not help, hinder or talk about the latest news. Lecturer notes are from the web, or a book which one can easily get for next to nothing. Cheaper than registration fees, definitely.

We saw FAS guys coming into college, kicking our butts in everything. Everything. They had learned the same subjects we were meant to be learning. Yet they learned it in FAS, not college. With better teachers.

They also have only 4 decent Video Cameras there, and every year complains about this, yet nothing is done.
If you choose a module or elective for the coming year, don't expect to do it the following year. This has happened to people, even when the vast majority wanted to do a subject. The module is cancelled and they are stuck in a subject that nobody wants to do, but have to. Even complaints to the department head go unheard. And because this module may be removed, you'll find that you are unable to do another module further down the line.:(

The only reason I have found for why they do this is to preserve a lecturers position, not to help the student.

That they have not contacted you is only the tip of the iceberg. You'll find that that continues throughout your time there. All projects are group projects, meaning your grade is affected by the lazy guy you get stuck with. If they don't do jack, then your grade is affected. This is especially heinous when it is your final year, and they can sweet talk the lecturers.

Public funding is one thing...but if that was true, how come they seem to pay for all the latest software without having the ability to use it. A few temps have come through there, and they were better teachers than the permanent ones.

Encrypted Pigeon

Having also read your other post, I don't think it is fair to generalise the whole institute just because you felt you got burnt.

RabbleRouser2k wrote: »

My advice to you alleystar, is don't go there. Seriously, take an alternative, second choice, whatever, because the quality of learning there is really sub par. You end up searching for tutorials on how to do something, because most lecturers will either not help, hinder or talk about the latest news. Lecturer notes are from the web, or a book which one can easily get for next to nothing. Cheaper than registration fees, definitely.

Welcome to the real world unfortunately. While there are a few bad eggs in every batch, it is not a lecturers job to spoon feed you the entire way. When you get into industry you will learn soon enough that you have to do you your own research to stay ahead/with the technology that is out there.

We saw FAS guys coming into college, kicking our butts in everything. Everything. They had learned the same subjects we were meant to be learning. Yet they learned it in FAS, not college. With better teachers.

They also have only 4 decent Video Cameras there, and every year complains about this, yet nothing is done.
If you choose a module or elective for the coming year, don't expect to do it the following year. This has happened to people, even when the vast majority wanted to do a subject. The module is cancelled and they are stuck in a subject that nobody wants to do, but have to. Even complaints to the department head go unheard. And because this module may be removed, you'll find that you are unable to do another module further down the line.:(

OK, Ill give you this one, the prospectus offered a whole variety of electives for our coming year, but we only got offered the one in the end which really isnt an elective only another mandatory module which has left me kind of pissed but I'm sure there is some "subject to demand" or other clause in the handbook that I neglected to read to cover that one.

The only reason I have found for why they do this is to preserve a lecturers position, not to help the student.

That they have not contacted you is only the tip of the iceberg. You'll find that that continues throughout your time there. All projects are group projects, meaning your grade is affected by the lazy guy you get stuck with. If they don't do jack, then your grade is affected. This is especially heinous when it is your final year, and they can sweet talk the lecturers.

Public funding is one thing...but if that was true, how come they seem to pay for all the latest software without having the ability to use it. A few temps have come through there, and they were better teachers than the permanent ones.

While I don't look forward to the prospect of group projects, there is a real life lesson to be learned here also. In industry you are going to be lumped in with other people, some will be hard grafters while others will be slackers, that is just life. Fortunately in industry the slackers usually get rooted out and shown the door fast, unfortunately the same doesn't happen for your fellow student.

Overall, every institute/university will have its short comings, you just got to roll with the punches because if you are going to be wait for the perfect institute/uni to come around the corner, you are going to be in for a long wait.

alleystar

RabbleRouser2k wrote: »

My advice to you alleystar, is don't go there. Seriously, take an alternative, second choice, whatever, because the quality of learning there is really sub par. You end up searching for tutorials on how to do something, because most lecturers will either not help, hinder or talk about the latest news. Lecturer notes are from the web, or a book which one can easily get for next to nothing. Cheaper than registration fees, definitely.

We saw FAS guys coming into college, kicking our butts in everything. Everything. They had learned the same subjects we were meant to be learning. Yet they learned it in FAS, not college. With better teachers.

They also have only 4 decent Video Cameras there, and every year complains about this, yet nothing is done.
If you choose a module or elective for the coming year, don't expect to do it the following year. This has happened to people, even when the vast majority wanted to do a subject. The module is cancelled and they are stuck in a subject that nobody wants to do, but have to. Even complaints to the department head go unheard. And because this module may be removed, you'll find that you are unable to do another module further down the line.:(

The only reason I have found for why they do this is to preserve a lecturers position, not to help the student.

That they have not contacted you is only the tip of the iceberg. You'll find that that continues throughout your time there. All projects are group projects, meaning your grade is affected by the lazy guy you get stuck with. If they don't do jack, then your grade is affected. This is especially heinous when it is your final year, and they can sweet talk the lecturers.

Public funding is one thing...but if that was true, how come they seem to pay for all the latest software without having the ability to use it. A few temps have come through there, and they were better teachers than the permanent ones.

Well unfortunately this place is my first choice and I have no other choice but a level 7 in Carlow.

I understand the project work element, but I thought it specified that the final year project was your own? Surely they can't lump you in with others for that? Sure that directly affects your results coming out of college?

MrLyoneye

alleystar wrote: »

Do the IT Tralee staff ever answer their emails or phone-calls??? I know it's the summer but surely some of the staff should be back working especially for the month of August with the new first years coming in in only two and half weeks? Every other college I have contacted have replied immediately.

I noticed this lax attitude from IT Tralee before, when every other college I applied to through the CAO sent me an email or letter detailing their college/ their courses, however I didn't even receive an email from Tralee?? I don’t know whether this was the case with others who put the college down?

To be honest I think it reflects badly on the college and I really am re-considering going there in September if that's their attitude.

7 Days ago I had to hand in a repeat project. I got the project specifications in the post last May, and did it as best I could. Along with the specifications, I got the date, time, and room that I was due to hand the project into.

Cut to last Monday. I arrived on time, went to the right room and there was a sign on the door saying "Office closed till the 16th", 3 days away. I was given no prior notice whatsoever. I doubt that the person in that office even knew that they had to collect repeat projects from students (And If they did know, they didn't care to let us know or even so much as leave a note on the door saying where to hand it in instead). So there I was, wondering what to do. I considered coming back in 3 days, but there's a 20% deduction mark for each day the project is late. And I had no idea if that still applied or not. And as someone who failed it the first time around, I wasn't too enthusiastic about taking chances. I don't know what other students did, or if they even bothered after they saw the sign. I tried the room next door, which was the head of department's office, hoping to ask them where I could instead hand it in. Locked as well.

After some wandering around and asking various members of staff where to go / what to do, and being given a different suggestion each time (including one staff member who suggested I hand it into the security guard, of all people), I eventually went into another departments office, and the two people working there were kind enough to give my project to my lecturer, who they were friends with, on condition that I sent my lecturer an email, letting them know where I handed it in. I did so, and got a reply saying that it was no problem.

Still though, the whole thing left me fairly annoyed. Obviously, nobody there cared. Either someone forgot about us coming, or knew that we'd be coming and decided that something else was more important. I'm sitting another repeat exam tomorrow. And after reading alot of the things said about the college here, I'm a bit uneasy about whether or not I should head back.

Obviously there's a BIG communication problem there.

KarmaBaby

RabbleRouser2k wrote: »

My advice to you alleystar, is don't go there. Seriously, take an alternative, second choice, whatever, because the quality of learning there is really sub par. You end up searching for tutorials on how to do something, because most lecturers will either not help, hinder or talk about the latest news. Lecturer notes are from the web, or a book which one can easily get for next to nothing. Cheaper than registration fees, definitely.

We saw FAS guys coming into college, kicking our butts in everything. Everything. They had learned the same subjects we were meant to be learning. Yet they learned it in FAS, not college. With better teachers.

They also have only 4 decent Video Cameras there, and every year complains about this, yet nothing is done.
If you choose a module or elective for the coming year, don't expect to do it the following year. This has happened to people, even when the vast majority wanted to do a subject. The module is cancelled and they are stuck in a subject that nobody wants to do, but have to. Even complaints to the department head go unheard. And because this module may be removed, you'll find that you are unable to do another module further down the line.:(

The only reason I have found for why they do this is to preserve a lecturers position, not to help the student.

That they have not contacted you is only the tip of the iceberg. You'll find that that continues throughout your time there. All projects are group projects, meaning your grade is affected by the lazy guy you get stuck with. If they don't do jack, then your grade is affected. This is especially heinous when it is your final year, and they can sweet talk the lecturers.

Public funding is one thing...but if that was true, how come they seem to pay for all the latest software without having the ability to use it. A few temps have come through there, and they were better teachers than the permanent ones.

A lot of exaggeration here, which surprises me as I suspect we are on the same course, or at least the same department.

1) Some of the FAS students do struggle. I know of one that dropped out. I know others that do well in some subjects but poorly in others. They tend to do well in the more practical elements of the course. Their attitude is different because most (if not all) of them are mature students. It is only natural that older students will perform on average better than younger students that are straight out of the leaving cert. Many mature students (and I'm one of them) treat college like a full time job, while many younger students treat college like a holiday away from their parents. For those reasons it's ridiculous to compare the teaching methods between FAS and the IT. Another is that some of the same lecturers in the IT also deliver classes in the FAS course!!

2) I've never come across a lecturer who just regurgitated notes from the internet but I'm sure it does happen. I don't really see a huge problem with that though as long as the notes are good, the lecturer understands them and can answer questions. I don't think I've met a lecturer that was totally out of their depth in terms of understanding the subject matter. Some of the lecturers are absolutely excellent and since I'm sure we're in the same department I know that you know who they are.

3) All projects are not group projects. This is absolutely not true. There are some very big projects which naturally need a team of three or four students. I have a problem with group projecs as I find it brings down my marks but I still understand that they are important for a student's development. I just think that there could be a fairer way of marking them. Having said that I am aware of cases where not everyone in a group was given the same mark because of certain group members taking liberties.

4) I agree with you on the software budget. I used to work in Computer Services in a college and I always amazed that the Institute was always able to afford the latest software upgrades. However, the issue of lecturers not being fully up to speed with them is a management problem, not the fault of lecturer's themselves, plus I don't think it's a very prevalent problem anyway.

KarmaBaby

alleystar wrote: »

Well unfortunately this place is my first choice and I have no other choice but a level 7 in Carlow.

I understand the project work element, but I thought it specified that the final year project was your own? Surely they can't lump you in with others for that? Sure that directly affects your results coming out of college?

FYP is a group project, but you choose your project partners. It's not as bad as it sounds. With the volume of work involved you might be glad of the help from people of varying talents. Group projects are standard in most colleges as far as I'm aware, especially in Degrees. It's not until Masters and PHD courses that you're on your own.

RabbleRouser2k

KarmaBaby wrote: »

A lot of exaggeration here, which surprises me as I suspect we are on the same course, or at least the same department.

1) Some of the FAS students do struggle. I know of one that dropped out. I know others that do well in some subjects but poorly in others. They tend to do well in the more practical elements of the course. Their attitude is different because most (if not all) of them are mature students. It is only natural that older students will perform on average better than younger students that are straight out of the leaving cert. Many mature students (and I'm one of them) treat college like a full time job, while many younger students treat college like a holiday away from their parents. For those reasons it's ridiculous to compare the teaching methods between FAS and the IT. Another is that some of the same lecturers in the IT also deliver classes in the FAS course!!

2) I've never come across a lecturer who just regurgitated notes from the internet but I'm sure it does happen. I don't really see a huge problem with that though as long as the notes are good, the lecturer understands them and can answer questions. I don't think I've met a lecturer that was totally out of their depth in terms of understanding the subject matter. Some of the lecturers are absolutely excellent and since I'm sure we're in the same department I know that you know who they are.

3) All projects are not group projects. This is absolutely not true. There are some very big projects which naturally need a team of three or four students. I have a problem with group projecs as I find it brings down my marks but I still understand that they are important for a student's development. I just think that there could be a fairer way of marking them. Having said that I am aware of cases where not everyone in a group was given the same mark because of certain group members taking liberties.

4) I agree with you on the software budget. I used to work in Computer Services in a college and I always amazed that the Institute was always able to afford the latest software upgrades. However, the issue of lecturers not being fully up to speed with them is a management problem, not the fault of lecturer's themselves, plus I don't think it's a very prevalent problem anyway.

Fourth year, the final year, is all group projects. I stand by that. There may be 1 project that is individual, but that is the forerunner to another group project, that requires making a new group of different people, which means making time for that project, yet that eats into the FYP time, and you wind up with people from all groups badgering you for a meeting, then some don't turn up, and you fall behind.

I can name 4 lecturers whose notes came from the web. Many were taking notes from a book that was far cheaper than actually paying for digs and registration fees. I actually found one lecturers notes after a ten minute google search.

Another, who was one of the mentors and supervisors for the FYP, taught illustrator. Yet was hopeless at it. Run into a problem, or if he ran into a problem, the answer he would give is 'It's just one of those things.' The equivalent of 'Computer says no.' No idea how to fix it, no solution.
When giving out projects, he never specified how much marks would be going for the document, saying 'I have not made my mind up about that yet.' So one did not know how much importance to place on the sketchbook or document, whether the mark was 20 or 50 percent. While one can say that importance should be placed on both, the time needed for the final project may vary depending on one's skill set.
There are two lecturers for Photoshop, one is talented, and can teach it easily, the other is hopelessly inept at teaching it. Guess which one is on maternity leave right now? Hint: Not the bad one. The hopeless lecturer also teaches Flash. He's equally inept at that too, and stops giving notes after three weeks.

As for being spoon fed, we aren't even getting crumbs. It's just learn it yourself while this slacker/ lecturer gets paid. So you do the work, they claim a pay check.

Opinicus

KarmaBaby wrote: »

Their attitude is different because most (if not all) of them are mature students. It is only natural that older students will perform on average better than younger students that are straight out of the leaving cert. Many mature students (and I'm one of them) treat college like a full time job,

I find this true also, I'm not saying that everyone under X is a layabout but of the handful of us left in 4th year SW Dev we're all mature students. When I first went to college years ago studying biology I was like William Wallace "FREEDOM!". It was my first time living away from home so the studies definitely got put on the back burner.

RabbleRouser2k

I assure you I was no layabout. Most years, I worked during the holidays. My final year, I gave up going out altogether, only taking one day out for an anniversary that I could not miss.
I was dedicated. The others were not. One was a mature student, and I was completely surprised how far he had gotten with an inability to do anything. He was hopeless. Yet he could sweet talk the lecturers, without a flipping thing to prove it. He lied so often, saying his work was finished. Come the deadline, there was nothing done on his or his co-horts parts. They were nearly a week late. Yet they also removed my work from the project to make me look bad, even work that was shown on the deadline was taken out. ( I stated this to the lecturers, and the responce I got was 'What makes you think your work should have been included?')

The problem is that nobody within that college can tell you the right way to do something. Not just the software, but how to actually pass the subject. My mentor, who was teaching a mandatory subject, told one student that the subject for her essay was completely fine for the project. Roll on to the January results, and her essay result was witheld because the subject was not relevant, and she had to redo the essay with a relevant subject.

It's not just electives that get cut. Certain mandatory subjects do not get the go ahead either. When these are cut, it has a domino effect on the following years, with subjects getting pulled in the subsequent years also. Because you may need one module to be able to do the other, and so you cannot do the subject that you may have come to the college to learn.

I paid for the resit, got nothing, and I have now sought a refund of my money. Frankly, I am at a stage where I don't want a degree anymore. I plan to go somewhere else to get correct education. Not some philosophy course masquerading as Multimedia.

angs77

Hi All

I was reading this thread last night in bed and would like to add my two cents.

I just completed my B.A. (Hons.) in ISM (Multimedia & Education) at the Institute of Technology, Tralee & my experiences also vary.

During the past four years I have had a few exceptional lecturers that would go out of their way to help you, provided they see you working away every week and you can see their preparation during every lab or lecture.

On the other hand, I have had the same lecturer as RabbleRouser2k for Animation, and have complained to the powers that be, but nothing changed - we print notes, do silly projects and get great marks, but unfortunately no learning takes place.

I have spoken to many students (incoming and current) over the past few years about my course on behalf of the college, and will probably continue to do so for the coming year or so, but what I would say to any student, mature or otherwise, who is about to take on a course in the ITT - you are no longer in secondary school, you are now in the big bad world of third level education.

You will be fed information - for the most part, you will be provided with the tools and techniques to use programs, learn theory and create projects. Some lecturers believe that you will learn more if you do it yourself (I prefer to be shown) and some will give you the 'learning by doing' experience (my favourite) - but you are in a CA (Continuous Assessment) regime, so you don't have a lot of spare time.

The coffee shop is lovely, as are the girls that run it, but it’s just for lunch and a laugh - the library is your best friend if you want a good mark at the end of your course, as are the labs if you can stay until the college closes at ten pm.

I can quite happily say the Institute of Technology, Tralee is a good place to learn. Yes you have a lot of projects, yes you end up working on either group projects (which can create their own problems – I’ve done a good few of them) or individual projects that can be a huge head ache when the don’t go as planned, but that will depend on your approach to the course.

Everyone has their own view of studying at the ITT, and each individuals perspective will vary, but finishing my course has provided me with the opportunity to pursue my masters this year, and I have had the encouragement of the lecturers within the ITT to thank for that.

Enjoy your time, study as much as you can and don’t forget to go to every single lecture/lab – you’ll be surprised what you pick up – even if it seems like a snooze fest! :rolleyes:

And just on a final note to RabbleRouser2k

The student's union there is equally inept... The union is made up of a bunch of failed students who failed their exams, or not sat an exam in 3-4 years…

I know these guys fairly well, and a very good friend of mine is part of the Students Union this year.

You are forgetting that they are students, the same as you and I were – they may have failed exams, but then again they may not – you have no way of knowing that – so defaming every member of the SU with the same brush in that way is very much inappropriate.

Most of them are still in college, and are final year students who have the same pressures as you and I have had and have provided you with a service ‘free of charge’.