Teaching & Learning Connection

With well over 100 staff and 600 internal students identifying themselves as being of non-English speaking background, UNE’s Armidale campus is a genuinely multicultural environment.

Conversations and other forms of spoken communication between people of English-speaking and non-English speaking background (ESB and NESB) are a daily occurrence. When they go well, as they often do, these interactions are of great benefit. Not only in do they provide important opportunities for international students to improve their English, they also help domestic students and staff build competence in intercultural communication, a skill increasingly valued by employers.

On the other hand, there are various kinds of problems that can arise in intercultural spoken communication. These can not only cause frustration on both sides. Worse, since spoken communication is a key medium of learning, they can act as a significant barrier to education, as emphasised by AUQA’s Good Practice Principles.

TLC is starting a series of projects aiming to foster effective spoken communication between ESB and NESB participants. The first, starting soon, is a survey to find out what is already working well and where there is room for improvement. We hope many staff and students will take a few minutes to complete the survey - and go in the draw to WIN ONE OF FIVE $20 iTUNES VOUCHERS!! Information about how to participate in the survey will be circulated shortly.

Results from the survey will be used to develop workshops, materials and strategies to build on those aspects that are already working well, and bring about improvement where this is needed.
In the meantime, if you have comments or suggestions about intercultural speaking and listening, if you would like help with any speaking and listening problems you may have, whether from the ESB or the NESB perspective, or if you would be interested to join a Community of Practice and help foster effective spoken communication, please contact Dr Helen Fraser or x2681.

Want to put your course content online but not sure how to do it well?
No problem - let Wimba Create do it for you!

Perfect for both academic and general staff, Wimba Create lets you
compose your site in the familiar Microsoft Word environment, then
click ‘Generate’ to see Wimba Create convert your Word doc into a
fully functional website, complete with interactive navigation.

Using Wimba Create is a short video introducing the basic concept. The Wimba Create Training Manual (by Su Woodward) shows how to use Wimba
Create.  Click here to download and install Wimba Create (using the
UNE campus-wide licence).

Or go to the Open2Learning Blackboard unit to get all the information
together in one place.

Current teaching staff have been given access to one of TLC’s newest initiatives, the Open to Learning Blackboard unit. In this unit you will find learning modules linked to many of the courses and workshops run by TLC in the eLearning Commons. You’ll also find PDFs with step-by-step instructions, links to resources and information, discussion forums, screen-flow tutorials, software reviews and much more. You can also log on to post any questions you might have or ask for help with digital media creation or online teaching materials. New modules will be added and links updated frequently.

For a more in-depth look at what the Open2Learning unit offers, watch the video tour: Demonstration of Open2Learning BlackBoard unit.

The video takes you through the unit interface and gives an overview of the resources available for staff.

Currently the unit does not appear in your list of units in MyUNE - you will need to access this unit through http://olt.une.edu.au, or through My Blackboard. If you cannot see Open2Learning listed, contact Sarah Christopher to be given access. Check back regularly for new updates covering the latest software releases, new courses and more.