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DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
Name of contact
Terri Paterson
Position of Contact (i.e. student, teacher designer, librarian etc)
Distance Education Adviser and Co-ordinator of Distance Education Website and Web Based Resources
Contact details
Phone: 03 5227 8113
URL
www.deakin.edu.au
Courses offered
Deakin University offers various options to access online components of courses. Each faculty provides a website, which gives online information about course structure, unit content and administrative support and contact. At the next level of online interaction, teaching and learning, some courses are using the WebCT system of Topclass for interaction and teaching. Others, particularly Business and Law have extensive online support to courses including access to online journals or monographs, the library catalogue, databases and class notes. There is also a public generic conference area
with academic support for all students (on and off campus) including the Library and Student Support Services (eg study skills, resources and advice, exam preparation, disability services). The total number of online conferences across Deakin University is
8,375; 30,107 Student users; 2,971 staff users.
Student Services Provided/ Accessed
Prospective Student
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Course Information/
Advice
All the information for prospective students is on the website. The public has telephone and e-mail access to faculties for advice and information.
Enrolling Student
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Enrolment Process
Students from a selected number of courses can enrol online.
Payment of fees
Currently, payment options include bank, postal and credit card. Online payment will be available after
some testing and trialling takes place.
Help on enrolling
Email and telephone communication with designated enrolment officers.
Enrolled Student
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Orientation to Online learning
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1) A video “Online Services at Deakin” was produced to inform students how to access and use Deakin’s online systems, namely:
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the Library’s online catalogue, databases, request service and tutorials
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computing conferencing for teaching, learning and academic support services
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the Deakin Learning Toolkit CD
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2) “Off to a Flying Start“ CD
is distributed to all new students. It covers the core elements of distance education
orientation programs by a lively, interactive approach using video and audio clips and computer conferencing to introduce the support staff that
provide academic services.
The program has seven sections which focus on; off-campus library services; academic writing; IT services; DE study arrangements; time management; peer support and profiles of successful distance education students; and an introduction to each faculty with a virtual tour of various on-campus faculty buildings.
Another vital aspect built into the program is the involvement of four distance education students who volunteered to be hosts and mentors thus providing peer support to new students via a link to an Orientation conference site.
3) Distance Education Support Services Guide (which includes information about accessing online services, facilities and resources) is distributed to all DE students each year and is also available online under the General Administration site and the Distance
Education Support web site.
4) Distance Education Support Services web site provides a “one stop shop “of links, information and resources.
5) The Library provides online tutorials to orientate students to the various online library resources:
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Smart Searcher, which
contains a modular set of topics including; Searching the Internet; Finding Journal
Articles; Searching the catalogue; and Understanding your topic
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How to use Endnote referencing system
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How to search Databases
The First Class conferencing web site provides an induction to online communication and resources. It contains information and resources to introduce and assist students to use online conferencing effectively, including sections on Help, FAQ’s, News, Tips,
Search, and How to download the software.
The Deakin Learning Toolkit CD provides a bank of software to enable students to access teaching and learning course requirements,
as well as induction and orientation information to the university’s facilities and resources.
On the Distance Education Website there is a link to the Distance Education Advisor of Student Life
that offers a variety of assistance including Orientation sessions, which are offered in a variety of modes: CD; print; face-to-face; video; teleconferencing and e-mail (see below for details).
Students receive a Deakin Learning Toolkit. This contains basic written material introducing the website, services and support available. They also
receive a CD, which gives them the necessary software to become connected and lots of information about support services, how to connect to the web, library resources, faculties and courses.
The CD is designed to set up the students with all the necessary resources and information for them to begin their studies.
The Student Support Services area also arranges for seminars to be delivered at different sites around the
countryside. Videos are shown at these seminars, which introduce students to the communication chat rooms and library resources. The student services officers also organise for teleconference links to relevant experts at the campuses for live question and answer discussions during these distance seminars.
Induction and Orientation to Specific Course
This is done through the faculties
Communication Links (chat rooms, bulletin boards etc.) that are or could be used for SS.
Through the main Distance Education Support Website students can get access to the Conference,
Chatroom, Notice Board and Mailroom facilities. These offer a variety of support services.
First Class is used as the vehicle for platform and conferencing. This can be accessed synchronistically as well as asynchronously.
The chatrooms which operate for both the mature age students, run by the student union, and the general one for Student Services are well attended and used for discussions about various topics including juggling commitments, keeping up motivation and where to get items and information. The Chaplains also
maintain a lively discussion group.
Administrative Services (changing courses, results, late fees etc.)
Students can access their own personal details, course and unit enrolment details, results and password changes on the
Internet. For a selected number of courses there is a re-enrolment pilot operating.
Academic Support (study skills, time management, information literacy, numeracy, peer support)
The Academic skills advisers and Counsellors have developed a series of online resources which students can download from the Academic Skills web site or access through the Resources online public conference area.
Staff are available through the online conference area for consultation and support.
Counselling (personal)
The counsellors monitor the chatroom discussions and will offer information and assistance either through individual e-mail or by posting a general response. For more personal issues there are telephone link-ups available. E-mail is used to initiate contact or give generalised information and advice.
There is a Health website that provides general information on health issues such as asthma and contraception.
The Chaplains also have an active chat line which deals with spiritual matters concerning students.
Career Counselling
The website offers short assessment processes and quizzes through a program called ‘Job
Ready Career Ready’, an interactive web-based, password protected, program
designed for distance education students. It consists of a set of modules developed to help students plan their career development skills, networks, strategies and employability. Students can e-mail or telephone for further assistance once they have completed this program.
Academic Resources (library, data bases, websites, bookshop etc.)
The bookshop has a site where books are listed and students can order texts.
The library has a very large presence on the website and offers a wide range of services to students such as; free delivery and return of Deakin
material; subject searches; 24 hour access to the library catalogue and electronic
services; online ordering/ renewal of loans; and subject past exams papers available via interlibrary loans.
IT support and help line
Help is available by telephone, e-mail and through requests on the website. Contact has been made with the Telecentre Network of WA and the Telecentre Australia Network to offer assistance to remote students.
Graduating Students
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Job Search Skills
Students can get assistance through ‘Job Ready Career Ready’ (see Career Counselling above).
Resume Development
Students can get help developing their resumes through e-mail contact.
Agency Links (to industry, career sites, employment sites etc)
AHEADstart is an initiative of Deakin University. It supports the recruitment and employment of students and graduates.
Through this program, employer vacancies of all types are marketed online to students. Employers can select the level of recruitment support they require. Other types of jobs,
for example casual positions such as tutoring and childcare are advertised online also. AHEADstart is
also represented within the online conferencing environment.
AHEADstart compliments the career management website; JOBREADY CAREER
READY, which provides an extensive six modular approach to online career counselling and resources.
The site was specifically designed to provide a comprehensive online Careers services for distance education students
although all students are encouraged to use it as a tool and valuable resource.
The modules include:
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Learning about yourself
Communication & interpersonal
Self reliance
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Values
Interests
Exploring your career
Opportunities for graduates
Your degree equals
Exploring your options further
Looking for a job
Setting goals
Making decisions
Taking action
Applying for a job
Purpose of a resume
Types of resume
Start your resume
Covering letter
Application forms
Selection criteria
Getting a job
The interview
Preparation
Checklist
Interview skills
Passing the tests
Keeping a job
University to work
Surviving the workplace
Strategies for success
Any Other Information
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Comments
Presentation Guidelines - The publishing area has developed, with other areas, a model for site production that is inclusive, incorporating the needs of people with disabilities. The site has large print, is very clear and uses pictures and space well.
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