FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Which time zone applies to my course?
All the times referred to in the course correspond to the UTC (Universal Time Coordinate) standard used across the world. You can see the current UTC time here, but you can use the World Clock to find out the difference between UTC and your local time. Please bear this in mind for delivery dates and times for the course exams, as these will not be extended.
Can I download the videos?
You are free to download whatever videos you wish except for the documentaries. The videos embedded in the platform are streamed from YouTube, but you can download them using the link below.
Can I download the video transcripts?
You can download the video transcripts in .srt file or .txt file format clicking on the links below the embedded video.
The .srt file format is a transcription standard and is compatible with most video players, such as VLC. In players like this you can add the file to the video while you are playing it.
The transcripts are also available in .txt file format so that you can open them using whatever text processor you wish.
I cannot see the video, it does not appear. What can I do?
Reload the page; if you are not able to see the video after reloading, try changing your browser. If the error persists, please write a comment and let us know.
The video freezes. What can I do?
Reload the page. If it does not work, try downloading it.
How many times can I attempt an assessment?
Practice exercises have unlimited number of submissions so that you can try as many times as you need. However exam questions are limited to one attempt.
Please note:
- If you want to give an answer but you are not sure of it, you can click on Save and decide later by clicking on Check. Please bear in mind that the responses that are saved need to be checked before the due date of the exercises. Saving does not mean submitting.
- If you want to submit your answer, click on Check. If you Check, you will be using one submission. Be careful if there is only one submission available, as it will not be possible to reset the number of attempts.
I cannot see an exercise. What can I do?
Reload the page; if you are not able to see the exercise after reloading, try changing your browser.
What can I do if I do not understand or I do not know how to do an exercise?
Read the instructions carefully. Everything that you need to know in order to solve the exercises is in the course. If you still have any question, please read the forum, which is available below the exercise. Maybe someone has had the same problem as you and it is solved in the comments. If that is not the case, write a comment with your problem or a response to an open thread related to your problem.
I have been enrolled in the course later on. Can I do the exams?
Yes. Exams are open the whole time that the course is available.
I have an answer marked as wrong, but I think it is right. What can I do?
First of all, read the explanation of the answers. If you continue to have the feeling that your answer is right and it was marked as wrong by mistake, read the forum. If no one has noticed that, post a comment. If so, write a response to the thread related to your problem.
Can I repeat an exam?
No. Each test can only be submitted once. If a problem is found in any of the questions, it will be corrected and you will have another chance to submit that specific question. This is just for the case that a mistake is found.
How can I get a course certificate?
If you get 60% (or higher) of the total grade, you will pass the course. If you are auditing the course you will not get any certificate, but if you have chosen the verified certificate option (US $50) then this will be available for you.
If you do not know what a verified certificate is, you will find complete information here. Upgrading to a verified certificate in this course is possible until 30th June 2017. Certificates will be available on demand for learners as soon as they complete enough of the course with a high enough grade to qualify for a certificate. More information here.
Auditing an edX course like this is free. If you are only interested in accessing the materials and doing the activities without needing a certificate, please note that edX do not offer free certificates anymore. Further information here.
How can I check my progress on the course?
You can check your progress by clicking on the Progress tab. There you will see a graph that depicts your score for each exam and your total score. 60% is the minimum grade necessary to get a certificate; A (85%-100%), B (70%-85%) and C (60%-70%) are just a suggestion of grades, with no actual impact on the final grade or the certificates. Below this graph you will see a breakdown of your weekly progress both for the exams and practice exercises.
Can I communicate with the instructors in the course forum?
The aim of the course forum is to encourage participation and communication among learners. Please review our discussion guidelines.
The instructors will monitor the forum but please do not expect them to answer all your questions. This is impossible due to the large number of people taking part in the course.
After the course ends on 30 June 2017, will it still be available?
After 30 June, the contents of the course and the self-evaluation activities will still be available, as the course will be accessible as an "archived" course.
Should I download any IDE for this course?
We will use Codeboard and Eclipse in many of the activities. Codeboard is a web-based IDE, so you do not need to download anything. Eclipse, however, is a desktop IDE that you will need to download and install, together with JDK8 (Java Development Kit 8), in your PC or laptop. This is the preferred IDE to work in Java during this course, and as such, videos will contain explanations about how to use Eclipse and different Eclipse plug-ins. However, you are free to use any other IDE if you wish.