In response to student feedback, a university-wide iLearn Template and a set of MQ Online Learning Standards were implemented in 2022 to provide students with a consistent online learning experience. By following the 5 steps below you can ensure your iLearn unit will be laid out according to the new template to meet the standards.
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.
5 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.
NOTE: There will be a new automated, easy to use unit contacts block coming soon in July! It will pre-fill your unit contacts block with teaching staff enrolled in your unit and enable you to easily configure them. Check back on TECHE in July!
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
iLearn Template Checklist Report: A quick way to see if your unit meets the template
The iLearn Template Checklist Report now available in iLearn Insights provides you with a summary of what has and hasn’t been completed.
The report at a glance
- The iLearn standards performance criteria are listed.
- A “Criteria Met” column provides a simple Yes or No if said criteria is met.
- The “Comments” column shows what’s been picked up by the report and what needs to be done to meet the specific criteria.
- There are some cases where a performance criterion is met, however it is placed elsewhere within the unit outside of what’s specified in the standards. In these cases, an Override checkbox is provided to detail that the criteria have been met.
See more details about the iLearn Template Checklist Report.
While you’re at it, check for any outdated information!
With so many changes happening around the university recently, now is a good time to check your unit for outdated information and links pointing to faculty student services and policies. Relevant up to date policy links are automatically included in unit guides under the ‘policies and procedures’ section.
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 13-28 July 2022.
Have any questions?
Please reach out to ilearn.help@mq.edu.au anytime for help or questions.
Banner image: Photo Anterovium by on Shutterstock
Help image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Tick icon: Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
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