Below is a series of frequently asked questions that our students have had about remote delivery. If you have a general question that is not answered below, please call us on +61 2 4221 3927 (9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday), email askuow@uow.edu.au.
For specific IT support, contact our UOW IT Service Desk on +61 2 4221 3000 or email student_support@uow.edu.au
UOW has decided to extend our remote teaching mode into Trimester 2, 3 and Spring session 2020.
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease across NSW, we are doing all we can to bring our UOW community back on campus. Of necessity, we must do so gradually and cautiously. For more information visit the Return to campus website.
We've heard from many of our students, who are concerned about how the transition to remote learning will impact their academic performance, and ultimately, their academic transcript upon graduation.
We recognise this is an incredibly difficult time and want to assure every student - particularly final year students - that we are here to support you.
We are implementing changes to grades and new academic support measures that take into consideration the unprecedented circumstances brought about by the coronavirus.
Specific information about these support measures can be found on the Remote Learning website.
Under normal circumstances, our Subject Delivery Policy requires that students are notified in advance of any amendments to the Subject Outline, after a subject commences, and given an opportunity to provide feedback. Ordinarily, this only happens rarely but the present situation means changes are being made to most subjects currently being delivered to support the move to online delivery.
Although these extraordinary circumstances make it impractical for us to consult with students, as we normally would, prior to any changes taking effect, we are acting in the spirit of the Subject Delivery Policy by making every effort to notify students of planned changes to assessment as far in advance as possible.
We understand some students may want to give feedback to their Subject Coordinators on the individual impact of these changes in their subjects and this is still entirely possible. In addition, any student who faces significant challenges in completing redesigned assessment tasks can continue to use the academic consideration process. Using this process will ensure the University remains aware and mindful of the range of challenges being experienced by many students and their families due to the current pandemic.
Yes. UOW, along with other universities, is being encouraged by NSW Health to continue to send students on their clinical placements. NSW Health and our other partners are ensuring that each placement site is carefully assessed in terms of risk and where that risk is too high, placements are cancelled.
Many UOW health courses, including Nursing and Medicine, are delivered differently to other courses and with non-standard key dates.
This means that clinical placements and skill base teaching will continue.
As future health professionals, students can make a very positive contribution at this time and the skills learnt during times such as these are valuable. Our students’ professionalism is very important, as is exhibiting the key values all health professionals work to including respect, dignity and compassionate care.
Students will be able to give presentations, either individual presentations or group presentations via platforms such as WebEx and Zoom.
We have developed some best practice tips and tricks to improve your videoconferencing experience.
Subject coordinators will provide instructions in relation to assessments for individual subjects. You can also contact your subject coordinator via the usual channels.
Our dedicated Student IT Support service is still here to help during our regular opening hours during session.
Contact details
UOW's IT teams are doing as much as possible to provide IT support and advice to students. Over this period, the team is working very hard to sustain a higher than usual volume of support.
The UOW Library and Student Labs are currently open, but we have limits in place on the number of people using the lab to comply with physical distancing requirements.
Some subject-specific software is available remotely. See software available remotely (Knowledge Base). There is also Antivirus software available for your use.
To request or suggest software, please contact us on askuow@uow.edu.au noting what you need.
The University is assessing issues coming in on a daily basis, and individual cases are being managed directly with students.
We're working hard in the background to provide the best tools and support for remote learning, and will provide more information as soon as possible.
Currently UOW facilities remain open, and the UOW Wi-Fi network, library, computer labs, research and study spaces are available to staff and students, subject to physical distancing requirements that must be followed in each location.
If you have issues with technology or constraints that impact on your ability to learn remotely, please contact us on askuow@uow.edu.au
The University is assessing requests coming in on a daily basis, and individual cases are being managed directly with students.
The University has a limited number of laptops and desktop computers available for loan, for students who need them in order to study remotely.
To request a computer, please contact us on askuow@uow.edu.au
The University is assessing requests coming in on a daily basis, and individual cases are being assessed and managed directly with students.
Each Faculty at UOW provides a Moodle site with information and support specific to the unique requirements of their subjects.
You can also access useful tips and support in the Knowledge Base – which includes articles on using Webex, Zoom and remote learning tools.
UOW's Library and Student Computer Labs are currently open, subject to physical distancing requirements and occupancy limits that must be followed in each location.
Scheduled cleaning at these locations is more often than usual, and also more rigorous.
Most mobile phone headphones will work with your laptop or tablet.
If you do need to purchase headphones, UOW's Unishop is still open, and is also able to take orders online for delivery. Shop now at Unishop.
Many retailers sell affordable headphones or connectors (electronics, supermarkets and petrol stations).
Each course will have unique arrangements. Check with your lecturer or subject coordinator to find out how you can schedule learning to your time zone.
Lectures stored in ECHO360, and content in your Moodle site should be available at a later time for review.
Real-time activities, such as live tutorial discussions, will often be scheduled in a range of different time slots; so you can select a tutorial groups at a time that is best suited to your own schedule. These tutorials are intended to run in real time for participants, and while arrangements could be made for review at a later time, they may not be recorded by default.
UOW students who are currently in China and who need assistance with accessing UOW remote learning should contact their Faculty Subject Coordinator.
The Subject Coordinator will organise access to a virtual private network (VPN) connection through IT support. This will also speed up your access to learning resources over the internet.
UOW IMTS is continually reviewing the Zoom security settings for UOW and continuing to adjust and improve security for staff and students.
Zoom has recently made enhancements which allow us to have greater control over settings, including enhanced security for all users, and the Zoom Blog contains useful information about how to Zoom responsibly.
It is best practice to update your Zoom client as soon as an update becomes available.
IMTS has developed some best practice tips and tricks to improve your videoconferencing experience.
As a student of the University, you will be aware that some sessions being delivered by UOW staff in remote learning mode may be streamed via video conferencing software, e.g. Zoom or WebEx, and may be recorded by UOW.
The recording of a class, tutorial or lecture will be communicated to all students prior to the session.
If you do not wish to be recorded you can leave your webcam turned off. This means that only your name and/or initials will be displayed (and in some circumstances your uploaded photo) to mark your participation.
If you have any concerns about participating in the recording, you may contact your subject coordinator to discuss your particular circumstances. Please note that UOW will exercise its discretion to delete any material from the recording.
Where a recording is made by UOW, it will be available on Moodle for a period of time communicated by the facilitator, and only shared with the students enrolled in this subject. Your subject coordinator will advise you of the purpose of sharing the recording, it will be focussed on assisting students with the requirements of the subject.
The recording may be hosted in the cloud and therefore, there may be instances where the recording may be held outside Australia. You may wish to refer to the provider's (e.g. WebEx's / Zoom's) privacy policy.
You must not download and use the recording for any other purpose as it may contain copyright material and personal information of others, which you are not authorised to use. You do not have permission to record online classes.
See UOW's privacy page for more information.
Student financial assistance & fees updates
Grant information and eligibility criteria for impacted UOW students
Returning to campus
Find out about coming on campus, accessing facilities and staying updated on changes.
UOW Accommodation updates
Information for students in UOW residences.
Mental health & wellbeing
Support services and resources to help you navigate this challenging time.
If you have concerns or questions about the transition to remote delivery, please contact UOW via the Feedback page
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