Everything you need to know about online study

However, an Online Learning Advisor (OLA) will facilitate your learning by responding in discussion boards, providing feedback on activities, and answering questions about assessments and learning materials. A Unit Coordinator (UC) will send out weekly announcements to support your learning.

The learning material for each standard unit is broken into eight modules. Micro units have four. Keep on track by completing one module per week. You can study when it suits you, just meet the assignment due dates.

Breaking this time into smaller chunks will make it easier, but there will be times when you will spend more or less time on a unit.
If you are working full-time, taking one unit per teaching period (TP) is suggested.

Taking two units per TP will enable you to graduate faster, but keep in mind the number of weekly hours required can be challenging.
If you need to discuss your study load at any point, please reach out to the Student Advisors via the Student Hub.

Units open in Canvas the week before the start of the TP, so if you want you can get a head start on completing essential and additional readings, planning assignments, diarising important dates, and deciding when to work on unit(s). Each unit is designed for sequential learning – you must complete the modules in order so you can build on existing knowledge.

Keep in mind your peers and OLA will work through one module per week, so you may have to wait for a response on the discussion boards if you work ahead.

We will send you emails and text messages with important information. Our team may also phone you to discuss your studies. Your UC will make regular announcements on Canvas and your OLA will communicate through the discussion boards.

We encourage you to be proactive and reach out if you need support at any time, especially if you are struggling to understand content or complete assignments and weekly activities.

Your UC and OLA will guide you in developing your academic skills, such as referencing, but you will also need to identify the areas you need to develop. Use the information in the Study Resources section of the Student Hub to strengthen your skills.

Impact units are support units on Canvas designed to enhance academic skills and help you navigate the online environment. You can find all Impact units, such as Academic Skills for Success 101 (ASK101), on your Canvas dashboard.

Student Advisors are also available if you need personalised help.

There are no lectures or tutorials. Instead, learning is delivered via interactive materials consisting of videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.

You will also have live Collaborate sessions, which are web conferences to discuss assignments and major topics. These are held three or four times in the TP when you can ask questions of your UC and OLA in real-time and interact with your peers via chat. This is generally the only synchronous learning you will have. If you cannot attend a live session, a recording is made available.

There is no timetable for classes. Log in and study at a time and place that works for you. Our tip: log in regularly during the week to complete your weekly module(s).

Apart from collaborative sessions, there are no classes to attend at a specific time. You may, however, have to be online at a certain time to hear and interact with a guest speaker or for a live assessment (e.g. an oral presentation). If this is the case, it will be communicated to you.