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THE UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Name of contact
Margaret Hicks
Position of Contact (i.e. student, teacher designer, librarian etc)
Co-ordinator, Teaching and Learning Services
Contact Details
Phone 08 8302 2134
URL
www.unisa.edu.au/
Programs* Offered - *At the beginning of 2001 – UniSA changed terminology.
Course is now Program; Subject is now a Course.
All programs have an online component. This includes a program homepage and individual course homepages. The program homepage is an online version of the program related information from the University Calendar.
The course homepages provide a way into the electronic environment of the University through; links to the official database about the
course; links to electronically available information such as student administration and;
links to other sites such as Learning Connection (student support), the University library, bookshop, IT help desk etc.
Lecturers can add study guides, resources, discussion lists and quizzes to this site as they choose.
Student Services Provided/Accessed
Prospective Student
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Program Information
The website contains information for prospective students with links to Divisions, Schools and programs. Some course based online resources are in the public domain, so prospective students have access to a wide range of information regarding the University of South Australia.
Enrolling Student
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Enrolment Processes
As of November 2001, students will be enrolling online at the University of South Australia. Information about how to do this will be available in a range of mediums. Students will enrol at the class level, allowing them to construct their own personal timetable online.
Payment of fees
From November 2001, the University will provide online payments via Bpay, Australia Post, and by its own WebPay e-commerce service.
Enrolled Student
General Induction and Orientation to the University and online learning
The main orientation vehicles are a website and booklets, which are available once a student enrols.
Booklets include:
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Campus based orientation activities
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Overview: An Orientation for External Student
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Inside Out: Inside Information for External Students
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The workshop, Making the Transition to University
Study, is designed for internal students and is available on the website at:
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/transition/
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There are 25 learning guides, available online
for a range of study related subjects. For more information visit
the following: http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learningconnection/learnres/learng/index.htm
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There are eight learning guides on various aspects of the university computing environment. These
can be accessed, on the website in the public domain, at: http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learningconnection/olenv/index.htm
The topics include: UniSA online: the University home page; accessing your student information; accessing your course home page; course resources and activities; accessing your program home pages; accessing staff home pages; online discussion groups; and doing quizzes.
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All first year students are invited to computer literacy workshop on campus called Using the University’s Computer Network during orientation week.
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Communication Links
(chat rooms, bulletin boards etc.) that are or could be used for
SS.
Asynchronous (discussion lists and bulletin boards) and synchronous (chat rooms) can be course specific.
There are also online discussions embedded in the online workshops developed by Learning Connection
The External Student Section of the University of South Australia Student Association (USASA) offers electronic discussion groups.
Administrative Services (changing courses, results, late fees etc.)
There is a phone line (CallUs) to assist students gaining information as to their enrolment details.
LookUP is a web-based information service for students that provides secure access to personal and study details
that include; program and course enrolments; HECS and fees; results; timetables; credit gained; assignment details; awards gained and personal information.
There is Campus Central and an External Student Centre that will assist students via e-mail, fax, phone or in person with regard to the administrative details of their study.
This includes negotiation with lecturers re extensions, setting up examinations and invigilation for students who can’t come on campus.
There is also a telephone interactive voice response system (IVRS), which allows students access any time to information relating to their study.
Academic Support (study skills, time management, information literacy, numeracy, peer support)
Assistance is available on campus in person, via e-mail and telephone.
All resources are available at Learning Connection’s home page: http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learningconnection/students.htm
There are also Learning Guides (available online) and Online Workshops, which give useful information to learners. The generic topics include: Managing your time and workload; Getting the most from your academic reading; Note making from reading; Writing essays; Writing reports; Referencing; Audio conferencing at the University of South Australia; Finding Motivation to Study; Making Exam Anxiety Work for You; Responding to ‘unsatisfactory academic progress’; Success in Exams.
There are 25 course specific workshops offered online eg Guide to writing the Reflective Nursing Practice 3 essay and Preparing for the Human Biosciences 1 exam.
Student planners are also available on the website.
Counselling (personal)
Counselling for online and distance students is mainly by telephone and e-mail or individual services on campus.
Online workshops and resources are also being developed in this area.
There is a hotline set up at the end of the semester to help clarify and inform students about their Academic Progress letters.
Career Counselling
Career support at the Uni, SA is about to undergo a major change. Towards the end of 2001 – Experience Bank and virtual career service in collaboration with TMP is being launched in the university. This will offer students a wide range of career services online,
including the ability to access electronic databases of major employers and lodge resume details.
Some face-to-face services will still be available but the majority of services will be available online.
Academic Resources (library, data bases, websites, bookshop etc.)
The library has an extensive web presence and offers a full range of services
including; requests online; access to electronic journals (password protected); access to electronic databases (password protected); guides to databases and Internet searching; specialized virtual libraries and photocopying (for a small fee). Links to these services are available on every course home page
Help is available on a 1300 number during business hours and through the e-mail. Each discipline area has its own liaison librarian to assist students.
Other Student Services (not discussed above that are provided for online students)
The University of South Australia Students’ Association (USASA) has services for external students such as newsletters, online discussion groups and e-mail connections. They assist students with fees, welfare issues and complaints.
Graduating Students
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Resume Development
There is a Recording of Achievement Program, which is linked to the Graduate Qualities. This program is a framework for recording all the student’s achievements, which can then be used by the student to construct a resume or application.
Agency Links (to industries, career sites, employment sites etc)
There is a university wide employment program that includes an electronic database of job vacancies; online workshops on aspects of the job search; assistance through e-mail or fax with resume writing.
For some specific courses (eg Nursing and Teaching) there are programs to liaise with hospitals and schools for these students.
Any Other Information
Comments
Basic Model and Philosophy:
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The student services area at the University of South Australia was renamed Learning Connections to fit in with the new philosophy and model of operating. They, in conjunction with the rest of the university, are concerned with student outcomes for all students not just those in the most need i.e. mainly equity based clients.
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The whole university is working within a teaching and learning framework to achieve ‘graduate qualities’; a set of seven competencies that outline the kind of graduate the University of South Australia produces,
i.e. operates effectively with and upon a body of knowledge of sufficient depth to begin professional practice.
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/PVC/qualities.htm
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This shift in emphasis for Learning Connections means that they are: working with larger numbers of students; using a wide range of materials and vehicles to reach these students; working in multidisciplinary teams to achieve student outcomes and providing professional development for staff to assist them to achieve student outcomes. It is a proactive approach that involves providing support, information and advice to students both internal and external prior to their asking for assistance. By working in collaboration with the faculties Learning Connections offers a seamless support system aimed to achieve the graduate qualities.
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