Welcome to the April edition of the VU Collaborate Newsletter!
In this edition, we’re spotlighting three exciting updates: a new quiz evaluation interface for smoother marking, a new option to attach rubrics to written response quiz questions, and group peer review in FeedbackFruits! Plus, don’t miss the launch of VU Collaborate Essentials 2.0—the go-to resource for your teaching journey.
In this edition
Get Block Ready
To get block ready, find out about creation dates, spaces, checklist and more.
1. When are Delivery Spaces created?
Delivery spaces will be available two weeks before your teaching period starts, and five weeks prior for Placement units. For details, see the VU calendar.
2. Which Master Space will be used?
*UG: undergraduate; *PG: postgraduate
| Delivery Mode | Master Space |
|---|---|
| UG/PG Block | (4Week Block) |
| UG/PG Block Online Real-time (ORT) | (4Week Block) |
| UG/PG Block Online Self-paced (OSP) | (Online SP) |
| 8 Week PG Block | (8Week Block) |
3. How do I review my Space?
- Work through the important checks, using this checklist.
- Join our VU Collaborate Block Ready Sessions for more guidance.
Easter Break Final Friday
Check with your college for the scheduled Final Friday this block. Please ensure your results are finalised in VU Collaborate by 5 pm that day.
Results will be released to students on the 28th of April. For more details on Final Friday, refer to Everything you need to know about Final Friday
VU Collaborate News
A New Quiz Evaluation Interface is coming to VU Collaborate!
Starting in late April, you’ll notice a new and improved interface to mark assessment quizzes—it’s cleaner, easier to use, and matches the look and feel of assessment items such as dropbox and discussion.
The best part? You can try it out at your own pace! The new Quiz Evaluation Interface is opt-in by default, so you can switch back to the old version anytime if you need to.
Check out our guide and give it a go! Grading a Quiz in New Quiz Evaluation Interface.
Provide Rubric Feedback in Written Response Question
Another exciting news! Starting in late April, you will be able to mark a written response quiz question using the VU Collaborate rubric, enabling more constructive feedback and consistency when marking the student responses in quizzes.
This feature is only available as part of the New Quiz Evaluation Experience.
To create and attach a long-answer question to a rubric, follow our guide here: Creating Written Response Questions.
Feedback Fruits – Review as a Group
Introducing a new feature ‘Review as a Group’, available in Peer Review and Group Member Evaluation activity types. With this enhancement, you can now allow students to collaborate on feedback and submit a single group review instead of individual responses. This streamlines the peer assessment process, encourages teamwork, and reduces redundancy.
Check out the resources below to learn more about Feedback Fruits:
Launch of VU Collaborate Essentials 2.0
Our VU Collaborate Essentials site got a refresh! 🎉
We’ve given our site a fresh new look with all brand-new content to make it easier for you to find what you need. Whether you’re looking for workshops, guides, tutorials, or tips, everything is now simpler to navigate and ready to support you throughout your teaching journey at VU.
Come check it out and let us know what you think—we’d love your feedback!
Ready to explore more with us?
Book a Workshop – See the Training Calendar
Guides – See VU Collaborate Help guides and resources
1:1 Sessions – Book a One-on-One Session
Upcoming Events
| April 2025 | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Getting Started with Padlet | Online | 9 April 1:00 pm |
| New to VU Collaborate | Footscray Park | 14 April 1:00 pm |
| VU Collaborate Block Ready – Space Review | City Tower | 16 April 9:30 am |
| VU Collaborate Block Ready – Manage Multi-Class Units | City Tower | 16 April 11:30 am |
| New to VU Collaborate | City Tower | 16 Apr 1:00 pm |
| VU Collaborate Block Ready – Space Review | Footscray Park | 17 Apr 9:30 am |
| VU Collaborate Block Ready – Manage Multi-Class Units | Footscray Park | 17 Apr 11:30 am |
| ECE Program: VU Collaborate & Assessments | Footscray Nicholson | 29 Apr 9:30 am |
| Grading & Assessing in VU Collaborate | Online | 30 Apr 1:00 pm |
VU Collaborate Team – explore, learn and share.
Read about past issues on our newsletter site.
Want to include any news or ideas in our newsletters?
Contact us at VUCollaborateHelp@vu.edu.au
We acknowledge, recognise and respect the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Bunurong/Boonwurrung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung of the Kulin who are the traditional owners of University land in Victoria, the Gadigal and Guring-gai of the Eora Nation who are the traditional owners of University land in Sydney, and the Yugara/YUgarapul people and Turrbal people living in Meanjin (Brisbane).