Learning Resources and Educational Support Policy

Intent

This Policy outlines James Cook University’s (JCU; the University) approach to provision of learning resources and educational support to be offered to students whist undertaking courses and programs JCU.

This Policy addresses Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) standard 3.3: Learning Resources and Educational Support.

Scope

This Policy applies to staff of JCU involved in the provision of learning resources and educational support services provided to students, regardless of campus location and whether delivered in physical or virtual environments and directly associated with learning and teaching activities.

This Policy does not apply to the provision of:

• University facilities and/or infrastructure; or
• resources and support associated with dedicated research activities.

Definitions

Except as otherwise specified in this policy, the meaning of terms used are as per the Policy Glossary.

Learning resources – materials and tools that help students learn new skills, refresh existing skills, and gain knowledge.

Educational support – programs and resources that help students develop their academic, personal, social and emotional skills.

Accessible – provision of equal access and equal opportunity to people with diverse abilities. JCU supports the development of learning materials and the virtual learning environment using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.

Archived recording – describes the state of a lecture-seminar recording that has been flagged as archived in the University’s system and is not available for on-demand viewing.

Archived subject site – describes the state of a LearnJCU subject site that has been stored in the University’s secure cloud storage facility in an archive format and is not available for on-demand access.

Digital communication – refers to exchanges of information through digital technology, including electronic announcements, emails, social media, websites, messaging apps, and video conferencing.

Digital literacy – possession of the skills to use digital devices, tools and platforms safely, effectively and responsibly. It includes finding information online, creating digital content, and understanding how to protect privacy and wellbeing in digital spaces.

LearnJCU subject site – describes a virtual environment within LearnJCU aligned with an individual subject availability in Student Management system.

Scheduled lecture recordings – refers to all lecture recordings relating to an individual subject made in venues equipped with a remote recorder capture appliance.

Stored recording – describes the state of a lecture-seminar recording that is available for on-demand viewing by students in LearnJCU subject sites where the subject lecturer has opted to make the recording available.

Student digital experience (SDE) – how students are expected to experience the virtual learning environment, as determined by the University. Staff will use the SDE to support the development of the virtual learning environment.

Subject Data – describes subject materials or items and student data created directly in a subject site, including documents, files, discussions, assessment tasks, student submissions and grades.

Virtual classroom – describes a synchronous collaboration space in LearnJCU with session recording capability.

Virtual learning environment (VLE) – describes web-based platforms for digital aspects of courses of study. This includes the organisation of groups and subjects, assessment, resources and communication, reports on engagement, and integrates with other educational and institutional systems.

Principles

• Good learning and teaching are enhanced by good learning resources and educational support.
• Universities need to deliver learning and teaching that utilises contemporary and industry-relevant learning materials.
• Where learning materials are highly specific and beyond the financial means of the discipline, alternative access via work integrated learning (WIL), shared ownership or industry collaboration must be sought.
• Educational support is essential to meet the demands of the current student cohort and works best when the Academy and Education Divisions work together.

Introduction

Students’ transition into graduate employment is developed in courses, subjects, and extra-curricular activities which include explicit, staged development of transferable generic skills, discipline-specific knowledge and technical skills, and career management skills. JCU seeks to provide learning resources and educational support that are inclusive and equitable, recognising academic freedom, academic development and the motivation of all students to achieve success.

Learning and teaching activities and support services at JCU are designed and delivered so that students can:

• participate fully in scheduled learning experiences;
• take part in the wider intellectual life of the University, such as joining academic events, exhibitions and seminars;
• optimise the use of new technology;
• expect a manageable academic workload;
• effectively communicate in the context of learning and the workplace;
• engage with the distinctiveness of our region;
• learn from subject matter experts (including industry professionals), high-profile researchers, and other stakeholders;
• take responsibility for their own learning; and
• access a range of timely support services, online modules, and workshops to help achieve satisfactory academic progress in a course or subject.

Policy

1. Learning resources

1.1 All courses must provide an inventory of essential learning resources required to deliver the program, including library collections and services, creative works, notes, artefact/specimen collections, laboratory facilities and equipment, studio sessions, simulations and software.

1.2 All learning resources must be up to date and, where supplied as part of a course of study, are accessible when needed by students.

1.3 Where learning resources are part of an electronic learning management system, all users must have timely access to the system, and training in use of the system must be available.

1.4 Access to learning resources must not present unexpected barriers, costs or technology requirements for students, including for students with special needs and those who study off campus.

2. Educational Support

2.1 Students must have access to learning support services that are consistent with the requirements of their course of study, their mode of study and the learning needs of student cohorts, including arrangements for supporting and maintaining contact with students who are off campus.

2.2 Contemporary learning support will be supplied, both in person and by electronic/technology-based means.

Related policy instruments

Learning Resources and Educational Support Procedure

Student Disability Policy

Support for Students Policy

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Related documents and legislation

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Cth)

Administration

NOTE: Printed copies of this policy are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History