Job Discussion Forums

jeddahteacher · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 291 Location: Arabia

I notified them well within 15 days and followed their procedure.

As I preciously pointed the problems arose with the reply sent by their tutor. My original lesson arrived at that tutor in perfect condition. It was her reply which then arrived jumbled to me. My attempts to solve the problem were intercepted by the ICAL system and bounced back with a note indicating to me that they had been read and rejected because of formatting. In reality their computer was sending me the notes on its own.

When I went outside their system I got the reply quoted.

If you wish, you can send me a contribution so that I can retain a lawyer to litigate this matter.

Atlas · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 662 Location: By-the-Sea PRC

Many lawyers offer a free consultation. If you win the case you should not lose any money.

But I must say my impression is that you don't want others to examine the details just in case they don't weigh in your favor. Shmooj was systematically solving your problem but you didn't exactly encourage him for help when he started getting into specifics. But good luck anyway. A lawyer will demand to see more facts than you are apparently willing to divulge here. If you really are not at fault, you can get your money. Otherwise you might have to face your own culpability in this matter. There were, after all, other channels of contact, and as Shmooj researched, disclaimers of liability.

But that's really for a judge to decide, with all the facts. Here, all you can do is vent, if you are not willing to help others help you by answering simple questions.

Anyway, good luck!

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:02 pm Post subject:

Most distance-learning schools have a VERY SPECIFIC requirement for the formatting of documents to be exchanged.

Jeddah has refused to tell us what formatting (if any) was stipulated by this school for all his submissions and for his tutor's responses.

If there was NO formatting stipulation in the contract, then perhaps Jeddah's complaint warrants further action.

But if there were required document formatting and compatibility requirements and if Jeddah didn't follow the requirements, then his case fails.

jeddahteacher · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 291 Location: Arabia

To be sent to specific coded subject line as a standard word doc. attachment.
Nothing difficult there.

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:21 pm Post subject:

The phrase "standard Word document" is not very specific. Did they say anything about platforms, versions, or formatting?

Much formatting can become garbled if not applied with specified standards. This means built-in Word styles as well as styles that you create yourself. Did they have a template? Did you use or create a template with built-in styles?

All of these can affect the school's ability to read your files as well as your ability to use the school's files.

If the school said only "standard Word document," and if you sent them a file with the .doc extension, then it should probably give you a full refund.

jeddahteacher · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 291 Location: Arabia

That is all that I was told. There has still been no reply to my request for full refund.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

let me reiterate that in their terms and conditions it clearly states that formatting problems are your problems and no refund will be forthcoming if formatting is your issue. You therefore should be happy with 70% because they have actually done you a favour. Live with that and be thankful.

Here's betting you didn't actually read the terms and conditions and that ICAL has in fact actually now taught you something albeit not what you signed up for
Laughing

AndyinHK · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 98

I agree with Schmooj here.

I have taken the ICAL course, or at least module 1. It was such a hassle dealing with trying to get my tutor to mark my assignments because of formatting issues. It was after the 15 day period, but I just gave up and took a course through another provider, LTTC, and had no problems at all.
LTTC was very responsive and their tutors were very good.

Presumably, I could continue with the ICAL course because I never had the chance to withdrawal (over the 15 day period), but I don't have the time to deal with them.

At least you got back 70%. I hope you'll get back the rest, but I doubt it.

jeddahteacher · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 291 Location: Arabia

Here is an alternative program that is accredited and looks good.
http://www.online-learning.com/course_poc.html
Web-Based Training Design Course

Web-Based Training Design is an 8-week online course that walks you through the complete course development lifecycle for an online, web-based course. You'll learn how to create a course outline, how to write learning objectives, how to structure, write and design lesson materials for online presentation, and how to write quizzes and assignments. You'll also learn about online delivery techniques and evaluation procedures

Cheers