We acknowledge the Kaurna people, the original custodians of the Adelaide Plains and the land on which the University of Adelaide's campuses at North Terrace, Waite and Roseworthy are built.

The Learning & Teaching News

February 2023

Dear colleagues

Welcome to the 2023 rollercoaster! Recent events have provided some interesting interruptions as we prepare for teaching this year.

I know many of you will have been considering the new generative language artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT), and the impact these will have on the way we teach and assess our students. The Academic Integrity team has been developing a range of resources which have been outlined in this months ‘Spotlight on Academic Integrity’ (see below).

Some of these are student-focused, with the goal of communicating about appropriate use. If you haven’t already done so, I would encourage you to explore the resources. Happily, there are also a range of interesting fora available, externally and internally, to explore these AI tools, both from a sector-wide perspective and with a focus on specific disciplines. Our Events page will promote these.

A second challenge, peculiar to our students offshore in China, has been the recent directive from the Chinese Ministry of Education that students are to study on-campus in 2023. The University is working to support students in responding to this and is developing detailed advice for impacted students.

Fortunately, some of our work has been both expected and focused on crafting a strong and positive future for our students and our University. We have now embarked on a Transformation Accelerator journey to design a future-fit Education for a Digital World strategy. The accelerator process involves five intensive co-design sessions that bring together more than 30 design participants from across the University.
Two design sessions have now taken place. These have focused on the future of education and the perspective of future learners. Inputs have included the CSIRO megatrends that might alter the landscape of higher education, drawing on a variety of industry experts and hearing from current and future students.
The transformation accelerator is due to conclude at the end of March. A strategy and roadmap will be pitched to University Executives before a wider University engagement as a test & learn phase takes place.

Notwithstanding these activities, the normal rhythm of the academic calendar, of course, also proceeds. Very shortly, we will see the levels of excitement on campus rise as our semester students, new and continuing, join us. It is always great to see their enthusiasm and the vibrancy as our spaces come alive. I offer my thanks and best wishes as you prepare, and create the conditions for, great teaching and learning in 2023.

Of course, if there is anything I, and colleagues in DASE, can do to help, please get in touch.

Professor Suzanne LeMire
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)

This is how I teach

This month we spoke to Associate Professor Adam Montagu, Director, Adelaide Health Simulation. Adam was one of four staff to receive a 2022 Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence as part of last year’s Celebration of Learning and Teaching. He was also recognised at this event through the presentation of the Vice-Chancellors award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching for Outstanding and sustained demonstration of leadership in the enhancement of learning in Health and Medical Sciences. Here, Adam speaks to us about how he facilitates a safe learning environment for his students, and the learning theories which support and influence his teaching philosophy.

Spotlight on Academic Integrity

Using our artificial intelligence resources
Even before semester begins, campus is abuzz with discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on student learning. Access the constantly updated range of resources designed to help you and your students navigate this exciting space while maintaining quality and integrity in learning and assessment.

Teachers beating AI
The challenges posed by developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated text have been getting a lot of attention recently. Assessment design can help to secure assessments by making them more difficult to outsource, either to a contract cheating provider or to AI. Associate Professor Georgina Drew (Social Sciences) explains how her assessment design engages students and encourages them to do their own thinking and learning.

Secrets of a chat GPT prompt
Tavik Morgenstern, one of our Academic Integrity Investigation officers, offers some creative thoughts on the new horizon of AI tools, and takes a deeper look at the possibilities and capabilities of these tools and shares some cases to spark your creativity, in this new monthly blog.

Academic integrity animation
As part of the development of Haide College, Learning Enhancement and Innovation (LEI) created an animation about Academic Integrity It includes an introduction to what academic integrity is, why it is important and how to conduct oneself with academic integrity. It is available for use in the wider University community to explain and promote academic integrity and the video can easily be embedded in MyUni course sites, alongside other materials and resources to scaffold academic integrity in your course.

Student Academic Skills Team

Meet the members of the SAS team and learn how they can support your students to engage and succeed in 2023.

Welcome to new students

Our campuses will be filled again soon with the arrival of 2023's newly commencing students!

To ensure our students will be off to a great start, Orientation begins in the week preceding teaching commencing. For 2023 the Student Engagement & Experience Team is rolling out our new four-week program, with the traditional O-Week followed by three themed weeks designed to give all students the information they need when they need it.

Check out the website to see what’s on offer! If you're a program/course coordinator, keep an eye on your email for a suite of PPT slides which you can display each week to advise students of what's on.

Connecting undergraduate research and career-readiness

Colleagues speak about their experiences at the Australian Council on Undergraduate Research Exchange Colloquium 2023. The theme this year was "Creating career-ready graduates: The role of undergraduate research".

Update from Learning Enhancement & Support

Auto publishing of MyUni Courses to students, for Semester 1
This will occur on Monday 20 February (1 week prior to the commencement of the teaching period).

Auto publishing commenced in Semester 2, 2022, to support consistent student access to courses at least one week prior to the start of the teaching period, aligned with policy. During 2023, only courses within the Semester 1 and Semester 2 teaching period will be auto published.
Courses are expected to have the following available to students, at a minimum, upon publishing:

Completed course homepage
Completed course information module
At least the first two weeks of learning materials (e.g., Week 1 and Week 2 modules)

The full requirements regarding use of MyUni and the recording of teaching activities are located with Schedules B and C of the updated Coursework Academic Program Policy.
If you need support in using MyUni, connect with the MyUni Support Service via the MyIT Portal or by calling 08 8313 3000 (Option 3). You can also book a Quick Fix or MyUni+ Virtual Staff Support Session – perfect if you are new to using MyUni.

Teaching using Zoom
Zoom has a variety of functions that can be used to support teaching and learning. However, like any technology, there are strategies you can employ to use Zoom more effectively with your students.
LEI have produced a user friendly Campus Commons resource which will help you plan, set up and use Zoom to facilitate teaching and learning with remote students.

MyUni satisfaction survey
LEI will be conducting an anonymous survey to all academic and professional staff, regarding their use and satisfaction of MyUni, associated support services, and future directions. The results of this survey will used to support continuous improvement activities and the Learning Management System 5 Year Review.
This survey will run from 9 February and will close on 28 February 2023, and it should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Please ensure that your voice is heard and access the survey today!

Cadmus webinar sessions this February
If you’re new to Cadmus and are planning on using it in your Semester 1 course, join Jessica Ashman, Head of Learning at Cadmus for these training workshops:
Monday 20 February - Assessment Design Setup
Wednesday 22 February - Class Management, Analytics & Marking
Find out more and register here

How the Library can support your teaching

The Library is sharing five ways they can help you provide your students with an engaging learning experience this semester, including how to:

Use Course Readings
Teach essential information skills
Find and create open educational resources
Use the Yaitya Ngutupira collection to embed Indigenous knowledges help students with referencing

Learn more in the Library’s blog post.

Times Higher Education CAMPUS

Recent pieces by University of Adelaide staff

How to be an empathetic leader during times of change
No one style is the panacea for all leadership challenges but, as Professor Rachel Gibson explains, empathy is a crucial ingredient for leadership success.

Leading through mentorship: a guide to the ups and downs
Professor Anna Chur-Hansen reflects on her experiences as a mentee and mentor, how this skill can be developed and how it contributes to the building of a meaningful career.

Call for content
Do you have an interesting teaching approach or topic to discuss?
Staff are encouraged to submit their content for publication in THE Campus with topics, content suggestions, writing guides and deadlines regularly updated on the Learning and Teaching website.

Deadlines
Due 27 February – Redesigning the university campus
Due 13 March – Effective pedagogies that work

Thinking of applying for a teaching award?

Are you considering applying for a teaching award this year, or in the future?Not sure if you should seek nomination or apply?

Contact the Teaching Excellence team today to discuss or register to attend an information session. The reflective process of applying for recognition will benefit your teaching and professional practice.
If you are enabling student learning through excellent teaching and support for learning approaches, we want to know!

Upcoming information sessions

Commendations for the Enhancement and Innovation of Student Learning
Wednesday 22 February, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Online session
Learn more and register

Stephen Cole the Elder Awards for Excellence
Friday 24 February, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Online session
Learn more and register

Share your Experience of Achievement

Have you or a colleague received an external award for teaching? Have you experienced a recent success in learning and teaching which you would like to share with your colleagues?

We want to promote your achievements and share your learnings with peers. Please complete this online form, and someone from the teaching excellence team will be in touch.
Don’t be modest – we want to hear from you!

Award winning partnership
Pearson Australia and University of Adelaide received the ‘Diamond Award’ for Best Learning & Talent Development Suite for LearnX, at the end of 2022.
This prize recognises the significant collaboration across University of Adelaide teams (both academic/teaching and professional/administrative) in conjunction with Pearson counterparts in the design, development and delivery of Alliance programs. These online courses have grown the University’s brand across the online program market and firmly established a new revenue stream for the University. Read more.

Announcements

New resources for educators
A new Open Resources is now available for teaching staff: Assessment for Inclusion in Higher Education: Promoting Equity and Social Justice in Assessment

AV controller refresh
The audio-visual room interfaces in high utilisation teaching spaces have been enhanced across all campuses. This will offer consistent teaching and better student experiences. Further information.

ADEPT sessions

Adelaide Development Program for Educators and Professionals who Teach (ADEPT) provides academic and professional staff in teaching, and teaching support, with the opportunity to develop their capabilities, knowledge, skills and values. This enables the University to create and deliver a contemporary, student-focused and collaborative learning experience for students.

Upcoming sessions

Active Learning: Strategies for online and on-campus
Wednesday 22 February
1:30pm – 3:30pm
Online session
Find out more and register here

Using Turnitin
Friday 17 March
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Online session
Find out more and register here

Reflective Practice
Wednesday 12 April
10:00am – 12:00pm
Online session
Find out more and register here

Learning and Teaching Events

Development and Programmatic Assessment Transferrable Skills in Practice with Professor Michelle French from the University of Toronto
Thursday 9 March
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Nexus 10, Level 7 (MBA suites), with Zoom option
Find out more and register here

Academic Integrity Policy Information Session
Friday 10 March
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Online session
Find out more and register here

Save the date: The Festival of Learning and Teaching
A refreshed festival is planned for 2023. Save the date for the first half day event, with more details to come.
Thursday 13 April

Subscribe or contact us

Stay up to date with the latest events on offer for teaching staff and those who support learning and teaching at the University, via the events page.

Should you have any questions, require further information about a featured article, or wish to add others to the newsletter subscription list, please contact the Teaching Excellence team.

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