A set of MQ Online Learning Standards and a university-wide iLearn Template will be implemented from Session 1, 2022. By following these 5 steps below you can ensure your iLearn unit will be laid out according to the new template to meet the standards.
It’s about providing a consistent online learning experience for students
The university-wide iLearn Template and the MQ Online Learning Standards have been introduced in response to student feedback about improving the consistency of their online learning experience.
The MQ Online Learning Standards provides a set of minimum threshold standards and serves as a resource to guide teaching staff when designing and setting up their iLearn units.
The iLearn Template is the practical representation of the MQ Online Learning Standards, making it easy for teaching staff to meet most of the standards by simply following the template.
What does the iLearn Template look like?
Take a look at the layout of the MQ iLearn Template. This is how your iLearn unit should be set out.
The focus is on the structure of iLearn units and does not seek to address teaching content, what is taught or how it is assessed.
More information about the iLearn Template and Standards is available on TECHE and the MQ website. Faculty of Arts staff can find more information about the template and faculty help here.
Follow these 5 simple steps to tune up your iLearn unit to the MQ Template!
Before you start
Activate and configure your unit in iTeach so it is available in iLearn.
You can start a new unit from scratch and select the MQ iLearn Template in iTeach.
Or if you are cloning your unit from a previous offering (as most will be), follow these 5 simple steps to update your unit to the MQ iLearn template.
Step 1: Declutter Topic Zero
Topic Zero is the area at the top of your unit. Here’s how to declutter that space. Check there is only a small banner, Announcements, Discussion forum and Dialogue (if you are using them). The Academic Integrity Module for students will also automatically appear here. Remove any other labels, notices and links, otherwise students find this lengthy scroll frustrating each time they want to reach their learning content below.
Step 2: Add a Unit Contacts block
Add a Unit Contacts Block to your unit, which includes contact details and photos of teaching staff in the unit.
Step 3: Add a topic for Unit Information
Add a Unit information topic as the first section at the top of your unit and add the official Unit Guide link. This is where you can include any other administrative information related to your unit.
Step 4: Add a topic for Assessment
Add an Assessment topic as the second section at the top of your unit and add an Assessment overview table in this topic (adding an assessment table is now quick and can be done with just a few clicks). Make sure the Assessment topic contains links to all assessment tasks and information.
Step 5: Add a topic for Zoom links
If you are running online classes (e.g. tutorials via Zoom), add an Online Class Zoom Links topic as the third section at the top of your unit. Place all Zoom class links in this section.
Note it is best to set up a recurring Zoom session and add this as an iLearn URL for weekly classes. This way students only need one link and enables you to use group restrictions to make each link visible only to the relevant group of students. See the Setting up online class Zoom links in iLearn quick guide for detailed instructions on how to do this.
All done!
Your unit should now be set out as per the iLearn Template like this. The key features being:
- Decluttered Topic Zero area at the top
- Unit Contacts block completed with relevant contact details
- First three sections as Unit Information, Assessment, Online Class Zoom links
More information on the iLearn template in the Faculty of Arts.
More information on the iLearn template in the Macquarie Business School.
Need some help?
There is plenty of support available to help you implement the template in your iLearn unit.
Like to DIY? Use the self-help guides and the iLearn Template checklist
Like someone to do it with you?
- Contact ilearn.help@mq.edu.au to schedule a consultation with (human) L&T support OR
- Come along to the iLearn Drop-in Clinic 7-25 February 2022.
Have any questions?
Please reach out to ilearn.help@mq.edu.au anytime for help or questions.
Banner image: Photo by Lindsay Henwood on Unsplash
Help image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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