April 2022

VUCollaborateHelp@vu.edu.au

Welcome to the April edition of the Connected Learning Newsletter. The Connected Learning team supports learning and teaching at VU by providing expertise in technology-enhanced learning, curriculum design, innovative pedagogies and video production. 

We hope you are doing well and excited for Block teaching in 2022. 


Below is some information on

Block Key Dates | VU Collaborate News | On campus and Online services | Tip of the Month | Learning and Teaching | Upcoming Events

*use the links to get straight to each section

We want to take this opportunity to give a shout out to all teaching and support staff for your efforts throughout 2021 and into 2022. We look forward to sharing with you these short pieces of useful information monthly and enhancing your teaching experience at Victoria University.

This is a trial run, so tell us what you think about the newsletter. Is there anything you would like to hear from us? Email VUCollaborateHelp@vu.edu.au with your suggestions.


Block Key Dates

Find out about block space creation dates and preparation for upcoming teaching periods.  

When: Delivery spaces will be available 2 weeks prior to your teaching period, and 5 weeks prior for placement units. To check for the teaching period, refer to the VU calendar. 

Delivery ModeMaster Space
4 weeks block Face-to-FaceOnline Master Space
4 weeks block Online Real-timeOnline Master Space
4 weeks block Online Self-pacedOnline Self-paced (OSP)
8 weeks block 8 weeks Block Master
Off-shore unitsOffshore (OFS)

*Use this checklist to review and adjusts all components in the VU Collaborate Delivery Space after it has been created and before students have access to it. 

Semester 1 Block 2 Final Friday

Due to the upcoming public holiday from the 15th to 19th of April, semester 1 block 2 Final Friday will be changed to Wednesday 20th.

Please ensure your results are finalised in VU Collaborate by 5 pm on Wed 20 April. Results for 1B2 will be released to students on Friday 22 April. For more information on Final Friday, please refer to Everything you need to know about Final Friday


VU Collaborate News

a screenshot of The Chase on teacher screen

H5P The Chase – Run your activity in competition mode!

The Chase is a brand new type of H5P. Using the Chase you can create a real time in-class competition with a leaderboard incorporating other H5P interactives like drag and drops, multiple-choice and more. It is integrated with VU Collaborate so that you can easily create and share H5Ps with other VU staff and students.  

To find out more, refer to our guide: Create The Chase with H5P


a screenshot of VU WordPress site

WordPress for Education is now live!

In Feb 2022, the CampusPack suite including Blogs, Podcasts, Journals and Wikis, was replaced with the VU WordPress site. By using WordPress, students can build their own creative portfolios which remain accessible after their course completion.

If you are interested in trying and learning more about the WordPress tool, please contact us at VUCollaborateHelp@vu.edu.au


On Campus and Online services

As the opening of the City Tower and the return to all VU campuses approaches, find out what support services are available to help you with your teaching.


Tip of the Month

You can now view student Ouriginal/Urkund reports directly in the Assessment Dropbox. We are pleased to announce this feature in response to your requests for quicker access to the report.

Once the submission is analysed by Ouriginal, the % score will be shown. Clicking the % score will take you straight to the report.

a screen highlighted Ouriginal Similarity scores can be viewed in dropbox folder
a screen display how users access urkund from the assessment dropbox

Learning & Teaching

Did you know that the Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education is now running in Block Mode and is subsidised for VU teaching staff? This is a nationally recognised professional qualification. 

Applications are now open, closing April 17th to begin study on April 26th for Block 3.


Upcoming Events

April 2022

Zoom for teaching7 Apr 12:00 PM
Sem 1 Block 3 Delivery Space Creation11 Apr
Creating engaging learning activities with H5P12 Apr 12:00 PM
Active learning in person and remote classes13 Apr 12:00 PM
Using the Dropbox Originality Check14 Apr 12:00 PM
Student access to Block 3 Delivery Spaces19 Apr
Sem 1 Block 2 Final Friday20 Apr 5:00 PM

Copyright © 2024 VU Collaborate Team, Victoria University.
Read our past issues at our Newsletter Site.

Our contact details:
VUCollaborateHelp@vu.edu.au
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Want to include any news or ideas in our newsletters?
You can contact us at VUCollaborateHelp@vu.edu.au

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