Learning and Teaching Unit
The keys to being successful as an off-campus student are:
As a student you are identified by a 9-digit ID number. Your degree or diploma is called a Program, and each subject or unit of teaching is known as a Course. Your Program is taught within a particular School in one of the four academic Divisions (e.g. Bachelor of Nursing, in the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Division of Health Sciences). These and other terms are explained in an online glossary.
Some of the terms refer to people, one of whom is your Program Director, identified on your program homepage. Contact them for matters related to the whole Program - enrolment, credit for previous study or taking leave from the program. Contact the Course Coordinator for matters related to a particular Course - questions about assessment or enquiries about an extension to an assignment deadline. Your homepage, myUniSA, provides links to all your Courses once your enrolment is processed.
UniSA expects students to go online for information and resources and to communicate with each other and with staff. This means you need to use and check your email regularly. You will also need to word process assignments and submit them electronically, so you will need to be a competent computer user.
Using Online tools@UniSA is one of many resources to assist you to develop your skills and online expertise.
You can use myUniSA to check:
It may be helpful to develop a personal Quick Reference Guide and keep it near your phone.
A high level of self-management is expected at university and you will have access to much information, and many resources and staff. Contact relevant staff about any concerns.
In your academic work there is a strong focus on:
The aims and objectives of each Course are set out in the Course information guide which tells you what you should know or be able to do by the end of each Course. Note how your lecturers plan to teach their Course and what is expected of you. Record the dates you have to submit assignments or join online activities.
You will progress through the Course by
Over time you will develop knowledge, skills and abilities that are valued by both the University and potential employers. UniSA describes these as Graduate Qualities.
The University has various policies to ensure that academic matters are managed fairly for all.
Some Courses require you to use specific online tools and other resources such as videos. Use your Course home page to check the Learning resources for each of your Courses. You may find a print version useful.
Your Course resources may include:
myUniSA will list your Courses and links to your Course homepages. If you have checked your enrolment details and have not received a package of materials, email Off-Campus Services dispatchinfo@unisa.edu.au or telephone 08 8302 1313.
All the required assessment tasks are set out in your Course Information guide .This ensures that you know from the start what's expected over the whole study period. The guide also states the Aims and Objectives of the course so that you understand what the lecturers expect from you in your coursework and assignments. This helps you know the purpose of each assignment.
Some of the tasks and requirements may be unfamiliar. Often they are described in a lot of detail. This can be overwhelming, but you can use the information to plan your workload for the whole study period. If your assignment tasks are new to you, refer to the online resources which cover many topics e.g. essays, reports, referencing. Online workshops for particular assignments can be accessed from the Course home page and through the Learning and Teaching Unit.
Develop a clear idea about what the total assessment involves and the weighting of each piece. This will help you decide their relative importance and how much effort you need to make for each.
Your coursework will demand much time and attention, so you will need to develop a clear sense of when and how you can study and be supported by the affected people in your life (friends, colleagues, family members).
You may need to consider
There are a range of resources available about adjusting to student life. You can also access free professional advice from staff in the Learning and Teaching Unit who are familiar issues affecting students.
Studying off-campus can feel quite isolated. Joining course email or online discussions and chat sessions can help. If you phone and reach voicemail, leave your name, telephone number (including the area code), the times you are available and the reason you rang. If nobody responds in a reasonable time don’t assume lack of interest. It’s possible that the person you are trying to contact cannot collect your message. Try another number.
Email is the preferred means of contacting staff and may bring the quickest response.
If you have not studied off-campus before, it can take some time to estimate how long you need to do the reading, noting and writing associated with the coursework and assignments. Your planning will involve goal-setting and different levels of organisation:
In the first few weeks, keep a record of your goals and the hours spent achieving those goals. You will find ideas and strategies to assist with this planning in these online resources provided by the Learning and Teaching Unit: Making the transition to university studies, Balancing student life, and Your first few weeks at Uni: for off-campus students.
At UniSA your course workload, assignments and marks are spread over the whole study period. If you are enrolled in more than one course, due dates may coincide. Meeting deadlines requires good time management. If you fall behind in your work and want further information or assistance with planning your time or managing you study workload contact the Learning and Teaching Unit.
If you experience health or personal crises that interfere with study, is important to contact staff who may be able to provide practical advice. If an extension is needed for an assignment, your Course information guide and the negotiating extensions guide will give relevant information.
The quality of your overall experience may depend on your willingness to find who can answer your questions as they arise.
You will find more detailed information about all services online. Here we provide a snapshot of essential student services and links to them.
Campus Central
Staff in Campus Central manage questions about administrative matters. Fax or email messages can be left at any time. Phones are attended from 8.30am to 6.00pm South Australian time during the normal working week. You can leave a voicemail message at other times. You can also check Ask Campus Central which has a number of frequently asked questions.
The Library
The Library is a key resource and service supporting your learning experience. You cannot expect to study successfully at university without developing your library search skills.
You can use the Library:
In person : browse and borrow from the various collections, search online services such as databases and the catalogue and sign up for on-campus training. You can obtain help with finding and using information resources at the Service Desk in your campus library or contact the Ask the Library service for assistance.
Library locations and contact information
Opening Hours
Borrowing
Online : from any computer connected to the internet
Welcome New Students: Key Library information to get you started.
Catalogue: Here you can:
Databases: The Library subscribes to many databases and ejournals, many of which are accessible 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world
Topic Guides: These link to useful resources and information on specific topics.
Ask the Library: This links to several paths for accessing library help.
Information Skills: This links to several options for developing relevant skills.
Off Campus Library Service: Provides phone assistance , and electronic or postal delivery of required documents. You can phone them on 1300 137 659 (cost of a local call within Australia) or 61 8 8302 6231 (international).
The Learning and Teaching Unit (LTU)
The LTU provides a range of professional services and online resources:
For general information about the services and resources contact
Learning and Teaching Unit at any campus.
Information Strategy and Technology Services (ISTS)
You may need information and support from ISTS during your enrolment and first few weeks. AskIT answers frequently asked IT questions.
UniLife
UniLife provides services, facilities and activities for students, and represents their interests to the University and the broader community. There are four Advocates who provide advice and advocacy.
