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 we approach the conclusion of semester 2 and a busy period for marking, I encourage you to take a moment to explore the following resources that will be of assistance. They are tailored to provide you with key information imperative to this time of year.
Thank you for your dedication this semester, our students are incredibly fortunate to be educated by passionate academics. The university community can take pride in the staff who embody ACU's values and work so hard to foster positive and inclusive learning and teaching environments.
Please reach out to CEI@acu.edu.au if you require any support or guidance in your learning and teaching.
Professor Anthony Whitty
Director, CEI
Timeframes
In the interest of achieving timely outcomes and improving the academic and student experience, the Academic Integrity Team (AIT) cannot accept any referrals that have been lodged outside of the timeframe provided in the Student Academic Misconduct Procedures. The following timeframes must be observed:
Supporting evidence requirements
All cases submitted in SAMMS must be supported by appropriate evidence, supplied by the LIC. Read the Best practice supporting evidence guide.
For AI detection, please be aware that the Turnitin AI indicator tool:
Cases in SAMMS that are not submitted in the timeframe or supported by appropriate evidence cannot be progressed to the next stage.
LICs determining Poor Academic Practice (PAP)
When lodging a determination of PAP to SAMMS, please use the exact wording, "LIC assigns PAP". Access help guides and step-by-step process documents for determining and lodging cases of PAP.
Turnitin is hosting a live webinar on their AI detection tool from 1:00pm - 2:00pm AEDT on Wednesday 6 November.
Whilst considering the information in the Reporting Academic Misconduct above, Turnitin's AI Writing Report can assist staff involved in assessing, grading and providing feedback on student work. In this one-hour webinar it will explore:
If you are interested but unable to attend, you can still register to receive the webinar recording and other support resources.
The Academic Skills Unit (ASU) has launched two new online modules for students to build skills for certain assessment tasks. One module helps students to manage group work; the other focuses on annotated bibliographies. Both modules explain the nature of the assessment type, suggest concrete strategies and provide resources. Teaching staff are encouraged to point students to the new, as well as previously available modules as relevant.
Have you used the standard comment libraries for marking?
ASU recently developed and released a set of standard comment libraries that academics can use in their marking. Dr Rhonda Siu and Associate Professor Georgia Clarkson are now seeking feedback from academics to improve the libraries. Academics, including academic developers and those involved in Equity and Pathway programs, who have used at least one of the standard feedback comments in their marking are invited to participate in a research study.
To express interest in participating, please contact Dr Rhonda Siu at rhonda.siu@acu.edu.au.
Project title: 'Enhancing feedback literacy in higher education: Refining standard-comment libraries based on teaching staff's perceptions of their effectiveness' (2024-3132E).
Join us for a day of storytelling and sharing of teaching initiatives. You'll also have an opportunity to informally meet colleagues and share your teaching and support experiences.
Register here to attend the Showcase
Campus Showcase dates:
*Strathfield and Blacktown staff are invited to participate in the North Sydney Campus Showcase.
Campus programs and abstracts will be available to view in the coming weeks to allow you to plan your day.
The review of the Evaluation of Learning and Teaching Policy and Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching Survey Procedure were recently approved by Academic Board. Changes were made to align procedural support for committees tasked with the monitoring and quality assurance of ACU units and courses.
Key changes include:
1. Access to data
2. Action to risk tolerances
3. Documented comment screening processes
4. Guidance to supervisors
IT invites you to participate in a Technology in Teaching Spaces survey. The survey aims to gather feedback on the use of technology in teaching spaces, focusing on usability, reliability, and overall experience to improve future designs and focus investment.
The technology includes the audio-visual hardware, e.g. projector, microphone, speakers, etc, and includes the teaching space computer and standard software that comes on the computer, e.g. Teams, Zoom, Office, etc.
The survey should take no more than five minutes to complete.
| Assoc Professor Jennifer Carpenter | Associate Dean Learning Teaching and Governance, Faculty of Education and Arts |
| Dr Ian Elmer | Acting 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 |
| Assoc Professor Bhavani Sridharan | Associate Dean (Learning Teaching and Accreditation), Faculty of Law and Business |
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