Moving to Live Online - FAQs
What does Live Online mean?
We are teaching the same quality curriculum remotely. Live Online means that you will participate in interactive classes through Ring Central or Zoom. You will also participate in collaborative discussions with your teachers and classmates using Canvas and other educational applications.
Will I still learn the same via Live Online?
This is a unique situation for all Australian universities. Our priority is to ensure a great educational experience despite not being on campus. Our curriculum remains the same even though it is taught remotely.
Will classes be remote for the whole semester or will there be face-to-face as well?
All subjects will be delivered remotely via Canvas, Zoom and other collaborative online tools until further notice. This includes both lectures and tutorials. There will be no face-to-face teaching on campus until further notice.
Will lectures be recorded and made available?
Teachers will decide whether lectures will be recorded. It is important you therefore attend classes as scheduled in your timetable via Ring Central or Zoom and not rely on the recording. Attending classes at the scheduled time allows you to connect with your peers and receive instant feedback from teachers. Recordings are best used to revise course content.
How will assessments be completed?
Where possible, assessments will be completed online using Canvas. If an assessment can’t be performed online, you will be contacted by your teacher or subject coordinator with an alternative.
I am a continuing student and I missed the class taught last week. Is there anyone who can help me catch up?
We recommend you sign in to Canvas and complete the course work you missed. Your teacher and subject coordinator are also available to help you catch up.
My subjects have laboratory work, how will this work?
Science: For computer laboratory classes (such as those in EMAT001, EMTH001 and SSDA001), all classes will be online. Students will be able to download the software. Tutors will deliver the lesson online like other online tutorial classes. For practical laboratory classes (such as those in SPSP001, SCHM001, SPAN001 and etc.), two approaches have been adopted. The first approach is to replace experiments by online activities, including pre-lab quizzes, virtual experiments, experiment videos and post-lab worksheets. The second approach is to have take-home investigations. For example, students taking physics are required to video-record their investigation on buoyancy and then apply three physics principles to explain the results.
Engeneering & IT: All laboratory sessions and any practical classes will be postponed until next semester or replaced with other learning activities.
How will teachers demonstrate and provide feedback on design and architecture projects?
Teachers are able to demonstrate on Zoom via their webcam and / or screen-share what you need to do and can also provide live and instant feedback. Assessments that require modelmaking can be graded and critiqued through Zoom via a webcam. This allows a learning experience that’s similar to a classroom setting.
My subjects have design studio work, how will this be managed?
Design studio work will occur online, we are creating remote studio activities using Canvas and Zoom and scheduled as per your current timetable.
In certain subject you will also be required to upload iterative progress of your work to an online portfolio (such as Adobe Behance). This will allow your teachers and other students to stay in touch with your work at all times and provide comments and feedback to you.You will also be able to screen-share with your teachers and other students to receive instant critique and/or assistance with your work.
I don’t have the internet at home, how I can continue my course?
Our campus will remain open so you can use the WiFi in the student lounges or the PCs on level 6 of the Blue Building. You are strongly encouraged to practice good hand hygiene and practice social distancing as per NSW Health’s advice.
I have never participated in a remote course. How can I be successful?
The best way to be successful in a remote class is to stay connected with your teachers and classmates, and follow your typical routine, as you normally would with your on campus classes.
Will remote delivery work if I am outside of Australia?
We are teaching from Australia and will be running remote classes following your timetable and on Sydney time. We appreciate technology can sometimes vary and our systems have been optimised for Australia.
You’ll need to make sure you have:
- A laptop, tablet or computer with a web camera (at least a 720p)
- A mobile phone with a camera for exams
- Access to stable and fast internet/WiFi (at least 1.5 MB/sec), not using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Access to Canvas, Zoom, Ring Central, Teams and other online learning tools used in your subjects.
- A quiet area so you can study
What are the system requirements?
Supported Operating Systems
- Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit) or later
- Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 (Lion) or later Supported Browsers
- Google Chrome: version 41 or higher
- Microsoft Internet Explorer: version 11.x, Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox: version 37 or higher
- Safari: version 7.x or higher
NOTE: Unsupported browsers will be prevented from accessing the RingCentral Online account.
- iOS 10.0 or later (iOS 13 supported) • Android OS 5.0 and up (Android 10 / Android Q supported)
Will my attendance be marked?
Yes, your attendance will be recorded. You must login to all your remote classes as scheduled in your timetable unless you are ill.
Will timetables change?
No, remote classes will occur at the same time as timetabled in Sydney-time.
How will I interact with my classmates?
You will have an opportunity to interact with your classmates daily through Zoom or other online collaborative tools. These tools have a variety of functions to enable class interaction. We also recommend you set up study sessions through online collaboration tools to discuss questions, complete group work, and share information with your classmates.
I am due to graduate at the end of this semester, is this still possible?
Yes. If you complete your course requirements you can still graduate at the end of this semester. However, no formal graduation ceremonies will be held until further notice.
Support for Live Online
How do I access my course materials online?
You will continue to use Canvas to access your course material.
Where can I find help to learn Canvas and Zoom?
For help using canvas, visit the Study Success course. You can also access 24/7 Canvas support via chat - click on the "Help" button in the left-hand menu from anywhere in Canvas. User manuals can also be found here.
What additional study support will be available?
Your teachers and subject coordinators are available to support you.
You can also continue to get support from our Study Success Advisers. You can make an appointment online or send an email to:
AdvisersDiploma@insearch.edu.au for diploma students
AdvisersFoundation@insearch.edu.au for foundation students
What happens if I need IT support?
Our IT service desk is contactable on +61 2 9218 7000 or servicedesk@insearch.edu.au
For support with Canvas, use the Report a problem option on the Canvas Help menu. If you’re in Australia, you can also call 1800 955 260.
Fees and Visas
Will studying online affect my visa conditions?
No. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency has temporarily changed visa conditions to allow students to undertake online study as a result of Australia’s enhanced border measures. Please visit their website for further information.
With all this disruption, what happens if I fail, do I have to pay to repeat subjects?
If you’re undertaking Live Online for the first time in Semester 2 2020 and you have attended a minimum 80% of your classes, you will not have a fail on your Semester 2 academic record. Furthermore you can repeat the failed subject without paying for it again next semester.
OSHC
Is OSHC required if undertaking Live Online in the home country?
OSHC is not required when undertaking Live Online. However, it will be required at the time of visa application once travel restrictions are lifted.
What happens to my OSHC membership if I arrive in Australia earlier or later than the date on the CoE?
Medibank will be able to change your OSHC start date. To do this, simply contact Medibank directly with your membership details and provide documentation confirming your arrival date (such as boarding pass or plane ticket).
What will happen to my OSHC now that I'm studying remotely from my home country?
You can request to put the OSHC on hold while you are overseas and reactivate it when you return. You should contact Medibank or your provider.