Academic Integration

Students need to understand what’s expected of them and their university studies when it comes to thinking, writing, attending classes and following protocols and procedure. This page outlines some ways you can support students with academic integration.

Outline expectations:

Clearly outline with students what is expected in terms of:
  • Attendance and what to do when they miss a class.
  • Accessing vUWS and checking student emails.
  • Submitting assessments on time and application of late penalties.
  • Understanding and adhering to academic integrity and referencing standards. Check the Study Smart and Library websites for  academic integrity resources.
  • Being an independent, pro-active learner.

Agree on classroom rules:

  • Go through the list of responsibilities for all Western’s students found here.
  • Together with your students, go through and agree on classroom rules and expectations.
  • Email the agreed upon list to students.

Track engagement:

  • Depending on the unit and by agreement with your unit coordinator, record information about attendance, participation in online discussion forums, vUWS access and first assessment submission.
  • Keep a list of “disengaged” students and discuss possible actions with your unit coordinator.

Use clear and simple language:

  • Explain specialist or industry terms when introducing them.
  • Explain university jargon (e.g. terms such as “learning guide”, “vUWS”, or “special consideration”). You can direct students to this university glossary.
  • Frequently summarise the key points of a lesson.
  • Encourage students to ask clarifying questions.
  • Regularly check for understanding by asking students to sum up the key points, complete short quizzes (e.g. by using Kahoot) or undertake instant polls.

Promote study skills and self-efficacy:

Support students in:

  • Finding information on study skills, e.g. Study Smart website.
  • Developing academic literacy skills. If you want to learn how to model these skills in class, talk to your School Librarian for suggestions.
  • Time management and assessment planning. Refer your students to the Assessment calculator here.
  • Searching for information. Check out the Library’s interactive tutorials here.
  • Organising information via mind-mapping and note-taking.
  • Navigating Learning Guides, vUWS, the Library website and referencing guides. Try to use them intensively in the first weeks of class to show students how they can be used.
  • Direct students to resources on developing life skills. There is a lot of helpful information available to your students via the Study, Money & Life Skills vUWS site.
  • Learn2Learn – An engaging and bite sized module on becoming a self-regulated learner and becoming a successful student at Western. http://lf.westernsydney.edu.au/learn2learn
  • RefQuest – This game accelerates students’ understanding of academic referencing while they have fun fighting monsters and exploring dungeons in this multi-award winning learning game. https://refquest.westernsydney.edu.au/

Direct students to support services:

  • Did you know that Western Sydney University provides more than 50 support services?
  • Encourage student awareness of the range of support services and encourage proactive help seeking. For the list of all academic and welfare support services, check here.
  • For support with assessments and academic writing, refer students to Study Smart Officers in the Library or Study Smart Online via vUWS.
  • Download the weekly STARS tips for students (available here) and briefly discuss these in tutorials.

Curiosity Box

Some of the most commonly asked questions by students in the first four weeks are:

  • What is vUWS and how do I access it?
  • Where do I find my assessments, unit requirements, tutors’ and lecturers’ details?
  • Is tutorial attendance compulsory? What should I do if I can’t attend?
  • Where can I seek help with assessments, academic writing or maths?
  • Am I in the right course?
  • How can I find and make friends?
  • Should I really be at uni?
  • How can I improve my time management and other study skills?
  • What if I struggle with life circumstances, financial issues, housing issues, ill-health and work load?

Did you know

Many students demonstrate a willingness to improve their time management skills.

  • Encourage students to put their assessments and other key dates for the unit into a weekly planner —a template is available here— or alternatively, their electronic calendars.
  • Create a calendar for your class. An example is provided here.
  • Encourage students to use  an Assessment Calculator to plan assignments in advance.