Using UTSOnline
What is UTSOnline?
"UTSOnline can help you extend learning & teaching beyond the classroom."
UTSOnline is the web-based online learning and teaching environment used at UTS. It builds on the Blackboard 8.0 software and can be used in different ways to support students’ learning and staff teaching. The Blackboard software is often referred to as a Learning Management System (LMS) which usually consists of many features bundled together, such as threaded discussion board, announcements, email, virtual chat, quiz and survey tools, file repository, web links.
Levels of using UTSOnline
In the results of 2002 survey of students and staff experience of using UTSOnline, it was clear that students and staff had very different expectations about the ways in which UTSOnline would be used in each subject, and of the degree of involvement of academics in responding or not to discussion board questions.
As a way of managing these expectations, from Spring 2004 all UTSOnline subjects will be designated as one of the following:
- Level 1 – course/ subject information only
- Level 2 – information plus unmoderated discussion board
- Level 3 - information plus moderated discussion board with a statement reflecting the level of teacher response in the discussion boards.
View examples of the use of levels: Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.
What do I need to do?
If you have a new UTSOnline subject, complete the online form to request the area to be set up.
If you have existing subjects, you will need to set each subject to your chosen level/s.
Setting levels: Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.
How do I get access?
All staff are given accounts in UTSOnline. To log in to UTSOnline you will first need to activate your UTS email account at: http://email.itd.uts.edu.au/webapps/activation/
Once you have an activated email account, the log in to UTSOnline (which is located at http://online.uts.edu.au) is as follows:
Username: 6 digit staff id [eg 123456]
Password: UTS email password
Information for academics about UTSOnline
The Information for Academic Staff link from the UTSOnline home page provides information on administrative matters for your course, such as:
- Guidelines for the request of new Instructor Accounts, new UTSOnline courses, new UTSOnline Forums
- Instructor enrolment, student enrolment and the removal process
- Help pages for enabling Self Enrolment and Guest Access
- Support Staff contact details
How do I learn more about UTSOnline?
Discuss your ideas with IML staff: The Institute for Interactive Media and Learning provides support for the teaching and learning side of UTSOnline. Staff in IML have extensive experience in using UTSOnline and working with academics to design elearning opportunities. If you would like to explore your ideas about elearning contact Simon Housego, Tanja Golja or Jenny Pizzica in IML.
UTSOnline Community Course: Once you've logged in to UTSOnline, you will have access to the UTSOnline community 'course'. We invite you to visit this forum and use it for sharing your ideas and questions about using UTSOnline. There are a range of helpful areas for staff and the course encourages peer learning through:
- a 'Please answer my question' discussion forum which allows you to ask and answer any questions about using UTSOnline
- other Discussion Forums that explore ways of using UTSOnline, FAQs, etc.
- resources for staff and students
- information about face-to-face events at which you can learn from others' ideas and share good practices
ITD: The IT Support Centre provides training sessions on using parts of UTSOnline.
