There are ten steps toward completing the PK5 exam (see the Exam Outline and Basic Competency Objectives for detail on what one is expected to know).

The starting point for the exam requirements is to have one or more 'papers' you have written in English [for example for one of your courses — see below] which can be presented in the different digital formats. In most cases, papers will have been written using Microsoft Word or a similar word processor.

The same or a different 'paper' may be used for steps 2 and 3 below. However, since images cannot be put in plain text files, for example, and it is impractical to use them in RTF files, if your HTML 'paper' includes images, your PDF 'paper' could be the same as the HTML, but your plain-text and RTF papers would need to be different in order to be practical for those formats. If your 'paper' only consists of regular text, the same document could be used for all four formats. This point is also described under #3 below.

Definition of a 'Paper' for PK5

The expectation of PK5 is that students will have an 'academic paper' written for another class which they can use for the different PK5 formats. However, in cases where students do not have such a paper available, the minimum requirement for a PK5 'paper' is that it be (a) at least two full screens of "regular text" (no outlines, poetry, etc.), (b) with a title and author credit, and including (c) six paragraph divisions with (d) at least two section headers. Students must have created the text themselves.

The 'paper' should consist of ordinary text paragraphs. Do NOT use stories or other narratives with reported speech, as the punctuation and layout for these differs between Finnish and English.

If papers include citations, these will also be checked for conformance with MLA Style as used in the English Section (see the PK6 Academic Citation and Documentation course references) even if the paper was originally written for another department or institution. Please see John if you have any questions.

Preparation for the Exam: The Four Papers, Image(s), Audio file(s) and Webform

1. Create a personal web page (or pages) containing the required number and type of elements in your Kielo public_html directory (or directories).

2. In one of these pages, link copies of your paper in (a) RTF, (b) PDF, and (c) plain-text [ASCII] formats. (If you have any doubt about whether your paper 'qualifies' as a PK5 exam paper, put the RTF version online first and ask John to check this — before converting to plain-text and PDF formats [the assumption being that the RTF file will require the least work to get online]. This may save considerable duplication of work.)

3. Then, create an HTML version of the paper. This HTML version must be done via manual coding, following the guidelines presented in Basic Principles of Web Page Design (which have been incorporated into the Template for Student Papers) and the plain-text file guidelines (e.g. the underlying text for your HTML paper should look exactly like your separate plain-text file with respect to line length and paragraph spacing; the only difference is that HTML tags will also be included). Read these two files carefully before creating the HTML version of your paper.

   The HTML paper will not be accepted if it has been produced via an HTML 'conversion' utility or software such as Frontpage, or if it is in CSS format. (The coding for your other HTML pages may be created any way you wish.)

   • NB! If your paper includes graphics (drawings, maps, photos, etc., in GIF or JPG or other image format), then this paper can be used ONLY for the HTML and PDF formats, as images cannot be included in plain-text files and it would be counterproductive to do so with RTF files. In such a case, use a different, text-only 'paper' for the RTF and plain-text formats.

4. After you have placed your different paper versions online, check them carefully before contacting John about an exam time. Use your browser's print-preview command with the web and text files as a check on how your formatting will show up in print versions, or when viewed in an 800x600 resolution. Double-check the line length and paragraphing of the plain text file!

5. In one of your web pages, demonstrate that you know how to crop or otherwise edit (sharpen, adjust the colors, etc.) a JPG image by placing next to each other (A) an unedited original image, and (B) your edited version. (If your HTML paper included an edited image, this separate requirement may be omitted.) See the Using Images file for more on the exam requirement for images. These images must have captions which give the image 'credits' and explain what the viewer is seeing in the image. It must also be mentioned what software you used to eidt the image(s), and what function of that software was used.

6. In one of your web pages, demonstrate that you know how to either (1) create and "embed" or link a simple speech file you have created; or (2) how to edit (create an excerpt from, adjust the sound quality, etc.) an audio file in WAV or MP3 format by linking next to each other (A) an unedited original audio file, and (B) your edited version. (If your HTML paper included an audio file, this separate requirement may be omitted.) See Creating and Editing Audio Files for more on the exam requirement for audio files. It must also be mentioned what audio software was used, and what function(s) of that software.

7. In a separate web page, using Mailaa, create a web feedback form which will send responses to your e-mail address (see PK5 Webform Exam Requirement). John will complete and submit the form to you and check that both the form and the output are appropriate.

Web Browser(s) Used When Checking Your Files!

Note that your web files will be checked with the current versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Google Chrome, representing the two most-used [current] browsers. While most web browsers display most web page data similarly, differences do exist among the various browsers. If you use Firefox, Safari, or other browsers, please also check your files using Internet Explorer to make sure all will display as you had planned it to.

The Next Three Steps: After All Your Online Materials Are Ready

8. Arrange a time with John for the practical exam, either by e-mail or in person. At the same time you will also notify John that your online materials are all ready to check;

9. John will check your online materials and then confirm your exam time; after this all you will need to do is to

10. Complete the PK5 Internet Usage Survey Form and bring it with you to the practical exam. Also, make sure you have tried all the required Search Operators and required Listserv commands and other material as specified on the PK5 exam sheet and covered in class (see below) before coming for the exam.

Arranging the Exam Time, and Exam Procedure

Following is the normal procedure for completing these requirements (after your web files are ready):

1. Arrange a time for your exam. In principle this can be any time that both of us are free. Arrangements can be made in person (easier) or via e-mail. If using e-mail, suggest several possible times you might be able to come and you will receive confirmation of one of these. A link to your home page will then be added to the list of web pages of students who have completed PK5.

2. After the time has been arranged, at least three days before the exam, e-mail to <john.d.hopkins [at] uta.fi> a note that your online materials are ready to be checked. If any of your materials do not have visible links from your home page, include their URL(s) in your note.

3. When your note is received I will then examine your web pages for all the required materials. These include (a) your personal home page(s), the (b) on-line versions of your paper in RTF, PDF and plain text formats, (c) the HTML version of your paper, and (d) your web feedback form. If evidence of your ability to edit images and audio files is not included in the HTML paper, then this material should appear separately. I will then respond to say if your online materials are okay, or whether modifications should be made.

4. Bring with you the completed Internet Usage Survey Form, which will be reviewed during the exam.

Links to the Online Versions of Your Paper(s)

The on-line versions of your paper do not have to be 'visibly linked' (though they normally are). If you have linked them into your top-level page(s), I will click the links to access the papers. If you do not wish others to see your paper(s), put them in your public_html directory(s) as unlinked pages, and e-mail me the URLs so I can find them. I will check the coding, layout, citations, etc., and confirm whether all is okay or modifications should be made. After you have completed your PK5 exam the links to your paper(s) may then be deleted if you wish.

What Will Happen During the Exam Itself?

When you arrive for the exam, most of the practical points required by PK5 will already have been demonstrated. The exam will consist of logging into your UTA e-mail software, demonstrating some e-mail and web procedures, and answering questions about items on the exam page and the Usage Survey. You may also ask questions on any points which might remain unclear.

NB: Try the Listserv Commands and Search Operators Before Coming In for the Exam!

One of the 'e-mail procedures' that will be checked is a knowledge of basic Listserv commands (described in III-D of the exam outline). It is strongly recommended that students experiment with these commands a day or two before coming in for the exam, leaving the successful results of your 'experimentation' in your e-mail inbox. It will thus be obvious when beginning the exam that you know how to use the commands; otherwise you will be asked to demonstrate how to use them during the exam.

Students should also have experimented with the required Search Operators, and be ready to discuss your experience with them if asked during the exam.

Registration of PK5 Grades; the Option for Additional Project Credits

The grading for PK5 is 'Pass-Fail'; grades are normally registered at the end of each term, though if necessary they may be submitted earlier. Note that class attendance is not a requirement in order to take the exam; students who are already competent with the course requirements may proceed with the exam without attending the classes.

For students with advanced experience in information technologies, additional PK5 (or Independent Study) credits (usually 2-4 extra credits) are available for projects on the use of information technologies or procedures for academic and professional purposes, especially those which would be relevant to translation, interpreting or area studies. Please see John for further information if you are interested. Such extra credit could be used beyond the basic PK5 requirement for English Translation students who are taking the FAST minor, for example.