The Learning and Teaching Matters newsletter provides just in time resources to support academics and professional staff. Keep up to date with current news and resources through the latest edition below.
The Learning and Teaching Matters newsletter provides just in time resources to support academics and professional staff. Keep up to date with current news and resources through the latest edition below.
As technology and tools continue to evolve, so too does the way we deliver learning and teaching at ACU. I encourage you to read the articles in this newsletter that discuss the various changes ACU is implementing to effectively address their impact and how these changes may shape your daily practices.
I wanted to wish you a safe and restful Easter period, enjoy this time with family and friends as we prepare to enter a busy second half of semester. Please contact CEI@acu.edu.au if you require any support or guidance in your learning and teaching.
Professor Anthony Whitty
Director, CEI
In this Learning and Teaching Matters
Policy update AI Detection QuickMarks Canvas migration INSPIRE workshops EIP review process Timetabling project
ACU’s Student Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy was recently updated to recognise unauthorised use of artificial intelligence as a separate form of academic misconduct. This includes the use of generative (content production) artificial intelligence, paraphrasing and translation tools; unless the use of these tools is authorised in the assessment requirements and properly acknowledged.
Contribute to the work ACU is doing in this space
Join the Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice (CoP) Teams site to contribute to emerging practices and approaches to assessment and the development of targeted resources for staff and students in response to Artificial Intelligence. As part of the CoP, focus groups are also in their foundational stages including: Designing for AI in assessment and learning; Learn AI: Empowering Staff and Students with AI Tools and Techniques; and AI for Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education.
Turnitin Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection writing capability is coming soon. An AI indication button will appear shortly in the Turnitin originality report. Upon its release, CEI will test its capabilities and provide further information about ACU’s approach to the Turnitin detection feature.
The AI feature should be used with caution, especially in the case of false positive results. We note that the AI indictor is not visible to students.
For further information, please refer to LEO Guides: How to review the originality report.
Are you marking student assessments using Turnitin in LEO?
The CEI Academic Skills Unit has developed a set of QuickMarks libraries for Turnitin specifically for the ACU context. The Academic Skills QuickMarks libraries cover 14 categories of common issues with student writing. Each library contains several feedback comments with clear explanations and links to relevant Academic Skills Unit on LEO resources, helping students develop and improve their micro-skills.
Libraries are fully adaptable for staff to pick and choose comments which can be added to an existing set. Explore the libraries and instructions on how to use them: Academic Skills QuickMarks libraries for Turnitin on LEO.
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Academic Skills Unit by emailing academicskills@acu.edu.au.
Training news:
Select LICS/NLICS of migrating postgraduate units have commenced the first of three Canvas essential training sessions. For all remaining staff, access to training resources and a Canvas sandbox account is expected to be accessible in late April/early May.
These training resources will be directly communicated to staff and will include self-paced training modules, online FAQ & drop-in sessions, interactive workshops, and various tutorial videos.
Design guidelines:
A Canvas Core Experience Guide is designed to provide a step-by-step guide to developing their new Canvas sites to incorporate ACU’s quality framework and policies.
FAQs:
Answers to frequently asked questions have been compiled and can be found at Canvas Frequently Asked Questions. Here you will find information about the Canvas migration process, training timeline details on changing LMS features, and other helpful support resources.
If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, please reach out to the CEI team via email at LMSProject@acu.edu.au.
The INSPIRE group are running monthly workshops with the Canvas team this year to showcase evidence-based practice in the upcoming Learning Management System (LMS). The workshop dates and registration links are listed below:
You may have noticed a difference in recently developed Education Inclusion Plans (EIPs). The Access and Disability Service (formerly known as Disability Support) has updated the process for EIPs.
From now on, all EIPs will have a specific duration, after which students will need to review and update their EIP to maintain their educational adjustments. The review process will be personalised to the individual student, and a student will only be asked to submit additional supporting documentation where it is helpful to gain a current understanding of their condition, disability or carer responsibilities.
A review of established EIPs will commence in mid-2023, and students will receive an email confirming the process they need to follow to ensure ongoing support. However, if a student wants to review their EIP prior to being notified, they can request an appointment with an Access and Disability Advisor.
If students do not follow the review process within 2 months of being notified that their review is due, their EIP will be cancelled, and they will no longer be able to use it to arrange reasonable adjustments. This will be reflected in the class list. Students will be able to re-establish their EIP at any time by making an appointment with an Access and Disability Advisor. Students can continue to use their existing EIP if it has no "expiry date”.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Access and Disability Service.
Work has begun on a project to implement a new timetabling software solution, TimeEdit. TimeEdit has greater functionality than Syllabus+ at a lower annual cost. It will be easier and more intuitive for staff to use and will support the delivery of more flexible and accurate timetables.
What will be changing?
A suite of TimeEdit tools will replace our current scheduling and room booking software, including TDC (Timetable Data Collector), WRB (Web Room Bookings) and SWS (the web timetable). These tools are primarily used by TRB and TLOs. Timetable data will be collected twice yearly. Timetable data will be rolled at the end of each teaching period rather than annually, providing an accurate snapshot of the way the teaching was delivered.
What will be staying the same?
The student timetabling experience will not be directly affected. Class allocations and preferences will continue to be managed through Allocate+ (My Timetable). The timetable will still be rolled from the previous year, rather than rebuilt annually.
When will this be happening?
Phase 1: We anticipate going live with some components of TimeEdit, and replacing the web timetable (SWS) and Web Room Booking in June 2023.
Phase 2: The Semester 1 2024 timetable will be built in TimeEdit, and timetable data collection for Semester 2 2024 will take place within TimeEdit.
Keeping you informed
The project team will meet regularly with TLOs. As we get closer to go-live for the Semester 2 timetable, we will hold information and training sessions for other affected staff.
| Assoc Professor Jennifer Carpenter |
Associate Dean Learning Teaching and Governance, Faculty of Education and Arts |
Jennifer.Carpenter@acu.edu.au |
| Assoc Professor Richard Colledge |
Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy |
|
| Assoc Professor Stephen Guinea |
Associate Dean, Learning, Teaching and Professional Experience, Faculty of Health Sciences |
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| Assoc Professor Bhavani Sridharan | Associate Dean (Learning Teaching and Accreditation), Faculty of Law and Business | Bhavani.Sridharan@acu.edu.au |
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