Online@UniSA
- Computers at UniSA
- Security
- myUniSA
- Internet and printing quotas
- Podcasts
- Online learning activities and resources
- Information Strategy and Technology Services (ISTS)
At UniSA, the online environment is used for communication related to study, learning and university life. The online environment plays an important role in enabling you to take responsibility for your own learning and work in an independent way. For example, you will use the University's intranet to find out information about your enrolment, timetable, courses and assignments. You will also communicate online using email and online discussion forums.
Computers at UniSA
Computers are located in 'pools', 'barns', libraries and other locations across UniSA's campuses. Computers in library study rooms can be booked online for up to 2 hours. An adaptive technology suite is provided on all city campuses for students with a disability.
The software used by computers at UniSA is:
- Microsoft Windows XP environment
- Internet Explorer - for browsing the internet and intranet
- Specialised according to your campus - for example MATLAB (for maths) or CAD for (design courses). Your lecturers will have more information about this.
Security
Keeping your work and personal information secure is important and a matter of taking a few commonsense steps. These include:
- Changing your password often - it is particularly important to do this after the first time you log on.
- Saving your work every paragraph or so.
- Saving your work to
- temporary drive E when working on files in the computer pools
- a floppy disk, USB storage device or CD when you finish working in the pools
- more than one disk as an extra safeguard.
To end your computer session, logout using the logout icon on your desktop
If you are in a pool and need to leave the computer for a short time (no longer than 20 minutes) you can protect your work by activating computer security. Press the Ctrl and Space keys simultaneously. To unlock your computer re-enter your password. After 20 minutes of keyboard inactivity, the computer will log you out.
Policy points
Policy regarding the acceptable use of IT facilities includes the following.
- University policy strictly forbids other students from using your password.
- You are legally accountable for anything sent from your email address.
- Playing games, eating food and bringing drink into the computer pools and barns is prohibited. Rooms must be left tidy and rubbish placed in bins.
- Computing facilities should be used in ways that are respectful of the rights of others and for study-related purposes only.
If you receive offensive emails you should report your concerns to the IT HelpDesk (2500) or Security immediately.
myUniSA
MyUniSA is a web-based information service providing access to your personal information relating about your life and study at UniSA. You will find links to your program details, grades, class and exam timetables, Internet and printer quotas, student services and email. You can also link to an outside email account. Take some time to familiarise yourself with these links.
- Home - is the log on page for MyUniSA You can also add your favourite links to this page (Far left)
- MyStudies - links to the course homepages that you are enrolled in during this study period
- MyEmail - provides a web interface to Outlook
- MyResources - takes you to your printer and internet quota
- MyAcademic record - allows you to view your entire academic record
- MyFinances - allows you to check your financial details and pay accounts online
- MyPersonal details - shows the information that you have registered with the University. You can change details if you move house or change phone numbers.
- MyServices - provides many useful links in alphabetical order such as:
- Ask Learning and Teaching Unit
- AskIT
- Computing resources- computer barns and pools
- IT HelpDesk
- New students
- On campus workshops
- Staff directory
Email is the most frequently used forms of online communication at UniSA.You have your own email address and are expected to regularly check for information about your program and courses, changes to timetables, UniSA events, and policies. This can be done from the UniSA computers or from home. Mailboxes have limited storage capacity, so it is important you empty your inbox, sent items and deleted items regularly.
Click on the email icon in the computer pools to access your email. This provides full access to Outlook functions and is recommended by ISTS for you to use when using on campus computers.
At home, you can also have web access use of email by using myUniSA or the Internet.
This box will appear when you log on to email in the computer pools
You can use your email to:
- send a new message - click on the 'new' button on the top left hand corner of the screen
- open existing messages - click on the sender's name in the 'inbox'
- redirect messages to your other email accounts
Check the frequently asked questions about email.
Internet and printing quotas
Using the Internet is an important part of the study process and as such, you are allocated an internet quota for searching on general purpose computers at UniSA. Access to the UniSA intranet is free on UniSA's computers, but when you access outside parts of the web, this is recorded as 'internet usage' and your internet quota will be adjusted accordingly.
You are also allocated a printing quota. Here are a few tips to make the best use of this quota:
- Check the length of web documents before you print them off - click file/print/preview.
- Select the relevant portions to print.
- Check if the printer you are using is double or single-sided (double sided printing is more economical and good for drafts).
- If a document does not seem to be printing, check the print queue on your PC or check if the paper needs replacing.
Podcasts
Podcasting is an increasingly popular way for lecturers to provide their materials in audio format. If your lecturer chooses to provide a podcast of their lecture, you will require a podcatcher (iTunes or Doppler). You can also subscribe to lectures via RSS feed.
Student services
Links to important students services as accessible through myUniSA under MyServices. This section provides additional information about these services.
AskIT
AskIT is a search facility for IT FAQs. Enter keywords to search. You can search for topics from using email to wireless networking.
IT Help Desk
Contact the IT Help Desk to get help with any IT problems. First use AskIT and if your cannot solve the IT problem, enter your own service call.
On-campus workshops
Throughout the year workshops are provided for students through the Learning and teaching Unit. Find out what workshops are available on your campus and on other campuses, and register for any workshops that you plan to attend.
Staff directory
The staff directory allows you to find the contact details of all staff members: your course coordinator, lecturers, tutors, Learning and Teaching Unit staff.
Online learning activities and resources
During your study you will undertake activities using tools in the online environment. The following resources are designed to familiarise you with these activities.
- Online learning @ UniSA provides student learning experiences in the online environment. It explores useful study methods to use when learning online.
- Using Online Tools@UniSA provides a description of the online tools you will be required to use in your study.
- Discussion groups
- AssignIT allows you to submit your assignments online, directly to the person marking your assignment.
Information Strategy and Technology Services (ISTS)
Information Strategy and Technology Services (ISTS) organises computer pools, myUniSA and assistance with technology support. Here are some of their pages:
- Computer barns and pools
- Using email
- List of software and locations for students who have a disability
- The ISTS computer HelpDesk can help you with any difficulties you might have using general purpose computers in barns and pools. You can contact the ISTS HelpDesk on 25000.