Student Information
The University is committed to supporting the academic success of all our students.
What you need to know about teaching and assessments activities
Akoraka |Learn remains your central point of information and contact for all course outlines and updates.
Check you can access Akoraka |Learn on your device
So that we know you can access all assessments online via Akoraka |Learn wherever you are located, please answer these questions:
- Do you have your own device?
- Does your device have a webcam or microphone?
- Do you have an internet connection?
- Can you view this YouTube video?
If you answer “no” to any of these questions, or you experience any problems with your device or internet connection, please review this Online Technology Health Check for guidance on how to resolve common problems.
If you are still experiencing technical difficulties which prevent you from working or learning online, IT Services is available to assist, Monday – Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm:
- Log your query or problem and view frequently asked questions at any time on the IT Service Portal (important to include your student ID, name and contact phone number).
- Phone: +64 3 423 0100 or Free phone: 0800 10 60 10 (NZ only).
Forgotten your Akoraka|Learn password?
If you are unable to log into Akoraka |Learn or have forgotten your password, you can phone +64 3 423 0100 or email IT Help . For any other IT issues you can log a request in the Service Portal.
Tips on studying remotely
Studying remotely comes with great opportunities to upskill (with time management, self-directed study and online tools). It can come with unique challenges as well. These tips will help you succeed when studying in an online environment.
Details and support contacts
Lincoln University is all about you, and we are doing everything we can to make sure your learning programme proceeds as normally as possible.
Financial and technology assistance
It’s important to let us know if COVID-19 is impacting your financial situation and is preventing you from doing things like connecting with your loved ones, eating well, researching or studying to the best of your abilities.
There is a Financial Assistance Fund managed by the LU Students’ Association that supports eligible students with a range of needs to ensure you can maintain an acceptable standard of student life. If you are unsure if you qualify for financial help, we encourage you to contact LUSA.
Contact Kate Lindsay, LUSA Advocacy and Voice if you would like to discuss your financial circumstances in confidence. Phone 03 423 0582 or email students@lusa.org.nz.
Contact the Wellbeing team if you require support with accessing food or groceries. Email: wellbeing.support@lincoln.ac.nz or Ph/txt: 021 589 475; mail: chaplains@lincoln.ac.nz or contact Victoria Askin, ph/txt: 022 126 7885.
StudyLink student loans and allowances
You will continue to get regular Student Allowance and Student Loan living costs payments if you are enrolled and studying. Answers to questions about Student Allowance and living cost payments can be found on the StudyLink website, this includes emergency assistance.
IT Support
Microsoft Office 365 can be downloaded free for all registered Lincoln Students. It is a cloud-based email service provided through a partnership between the University and Microsoft. Information on your LU email and OneDrive is available on the Lincoln University ITS website.
A full list of all the ITS resources available to students can be found here, including information on accessing LEARN. If you are unable to find an appropriate solution please contact IT Services. You can can also phone +64 3 423 0100 or email IT Help.
Library
The library remains open, with extended hours available during the exam period. Online library services are on the LTL website or from the Akoraka |Learn homepage. AskLive chat on the LTL website is a quick way to ask any questions. Students can also book an online meeting with a learning advisor here.
Learning Support
The Learning, Teaching and Library offer a wide variety of online learning support services to help you with your study and assignments.
They can assist you with learning and study skills, careers and CVs, writing, maths and stats, English language, referencing and EndNote, and more.
- AskLive chat service for quick questions and help accessing online resources.
- Online workshops are offered
- Online drop-ins on Zoom are available every weekday 10.30-11.30am, with no appointments needed
- Online appointments 30 minutes each are also available (groups with the same assignments are welcome)
- Studying remotely: Get some tips on how to best set up your home environment and manage your study away from campus
- Inclusive Education can be contacted at inclusive@lincoln.ac.nz if you have any queries about support for disabilities, injuries and illnesses.
For general advice and access to all online support, the Learning, Teaching and Library website has a wide range of tips and advice to assist you including digital versions of all our handouts.
Labs and field trips
Refer to Akoraka |Learn for details.
LUSA
LUSA course student representatives are available for each course. Contacts can be found on the Akoraka |Learn course site, or ask your course examiner or email the Student Advocacy and Voice representative from LUSA at students@lusa.org.nz.
International student support
International students can contact our International Student Advisors, Denise Pelvin or Dee Hannam. See offshore student support on LEARN.
Student Administration
Student Administration services such as scholarships, enrolment, course changes can be accessed by emailing student.services@lincoln.ac.nz
Student visa information
To keep updated on travel restrictions and visa information, visit the Immigration New Zealand website.
Guidelines for exams and assessments
The potential exists with online examinations for you to temporarily lose your internet connection. This rarely happens, but if it does you need to know what to do.
If you experience issues with your exam on Akoraka|Learn
- First, restart your internet browser and try logging back into the course page
- If the above is not successful, restart your computer
- Do not contact the course examiner directly
In most cases, the connection will resume, and you will be able to continue your exam. If the issue persists, follow the steps below:
| Step 1 - loss of connection | Step 2 - Loss of connection for more than 5 minutes | Step 3 - total loss of connection |
|
If you lose your Akoraka|Learn connection during a final exam immediately text +64 21 911 113
Text messages not including this information cannot be logged for further action. Any loss of connection for less than five minutes will be treated as a moderate impairment for the assessment. |
If you lose your connection for longer than five minutes, email examhelp@lincoln.ac.nz with the same information as in step 1. IT Services will then direct the Examinations Office to grant you an extension time. Loss of connection for more than five minutes will be treated as a moderate to severe impairment for the assessment. |
In the event of a total loss of internet and/or phone connection, in which you are unable to successfully complete the assessment, you should phone the Examinations Office on +64 3 423 0062 to advise this has happened, then apply for an aegrotat. This must be done within two working days of the date of the assessment. You will need to provide evidence of having completed steps 1 and 2 above. |
These steps will ensure fairness if you do lose your internet connection and in particular, if it does not resume. In all cases, the instructions ensure that the problem is registered so that steps can be taken to remedy it. Do not contact the Examiner directly during the examination or final assessment.
For help with access to the mobile network so that you can send a text, please contact IT Help Service or Phone: +64 3 423 0100 or free phone (NZ only): 0800 10 60 10, or email LUSA.
The University is here to support you as you prepare for your exams and assessments. The guidelines below will give you the information you need to successfully complete your assessments and exams.
Key steps to follow
- Check the exam timetable, which is on the Akoraka |Learn homepage under Exam Timetable. Exam times can sometimes change. If there are any clashes, please contact Exam Help as soon as possible
- Continue to read all communications from your lecturer and course examiner and ask questions if you’re unsure about the situation for your specific courses
- Test your technology:
- Check that you have reliable internet access (try watching a video on YouTube)
- Ensure your computer is up-to-date by following the Online Technology Health Check
- Contact IT Help Services if you are experiencing technical problems, email IT Help Services, or phone +64 3 423 0100 or freephone (NZ) 0800 106010
- Check Akoraka |Learn for any course updates, as your examiner may schedule a practice run of your exam or assessment to ensure that your technology is working
Students outside of New Zealand
Students who are located outside of New Zealand have had specific times set for their exams. This will be communicated to you via your course examiner.
If your final assessment involves uploading completed work to Akoraka|Learn, you will need to click the box to confirm the University’s submission statement.
You should always check the submission link on Akoraka|Learn to make sure the upload has been completed successfully. If you are unable to upload a final examination, you should immediately email your examination to the Exams Office with an explanation (this does not count as contacting the examiner during the examination).
Lincoln University understands the ongoing learning and studying challenges that many of our students are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While many of these challenges are across the board, we know that some students have been affected considerably more than others.
A new more simplified aegrotat process for moderate to severe impairment
Aegrotat or special consideration are only given if your personal circumstance is temporary and has significantly affected your assessment/ exam performance or preparation.
When to apply for an aegrotat:
If you’ve experienced a moderate to severe impairment, either due to COVID-19 or to a medical or non-medical reason, and it has significantly impacted your assessment/ exam performance or preparation, you can apply for an aegrotat via Akoraka | Learn.
To support you, we’ve implemented a new simplified aegrotat application process. The change means that you no longer need to approach your lecturers, tutors or administrators directly to request aegrotat consideration.
Instead, you can now apply directly via Akoraka | Learn. Once you have completed the online form, the Examinations Office will manage your application for you.
How it works
- If you’re unable to attend a compulsory class or assessment, such as a lab or a field trip, due to either COVID-19 or other valid medical or non-medical reasons, you can apply in advance for an aegrotat via Akoraka | Learn. Or as soon as possible following the class or assessment.
- Once you have submitted your application, you will receive the outcome of your application via email from your examiner/lecturer
For more information on aegrotat applications, go to Akoraka | Learn.
Need additional help?
- Email aegrotats@lincoln.ac.nz
- Visit the Examinations Office, Ground floor, Hudson building
Inclusive Education support is available
Students requiring support from Inclusive Education during injury, illness or a chronic condition should continue to contact this service to discuss their needs.
More information
Email grow@lincoln.ac.nz with all enquiries, concerns or travel plans
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