Organised Learning Experiences

"The subject was run in a very clear and structured manner. Each lecture built on from the content learnt the week before and even had a recap of the previous lecture at the start of every lecture. Was very easy to follow!!"

"The course is obviously based on contemporary pedagogical theories. (Subject) is delivered as an open forum discussion and not an avalanche of the lecturers personal treasure chest of obsessions. Each class is highly structured and incorporates lecturing and peer activities. The content ranges from high abstraction to detailed technical specificity and content structuring and so is quite holistic in its scope which is refreshing compared to the hoop jumping approach in most other subjects. "

"There is a constant reference to current industry practice, providing a real connection and strong base for understanding why we have to learn what we are learning, and how to apply it. Assignments are well thought out, and (Tutor) constantly emphasises understanding concepts over rote learning."

"The tutor provided us with handouts on the first day of class that clearly lay out the main premise and objectives of the studio. This was constantly reinforced throughout the semester and checked us when we were straying too far off message.  Our tutor also organised the schedule, submissions and deadlines with clarity that was really helpful to my learning.  Our tutor also sometimes gives us a window into what she does in professional practice which is very inspiring and motivating at the end stages of my graduate study."

Discipline-specific perspectives and resources will be added here soon. In the meantime, take some time to speak with your Subject Coordinator, Senior Tutor and other colleagues about what works for them, and how it relates to the discipline and content of their teaching.  Contact the BEL+T group with further questions or resources that may assist.

abp-belt@unimelb.edu.au

The teaching team may include a number of people, and will also need to work with other teams within and beyond the Faculty. Clear communication between all will also support clear communication, and learning, with students.

TIMETABLES can be accessed via the central University SWS website. Select the 'subject' button, and choose your preferred viewing format. (TIP - check you are looking at the right year and semester!)

Timetabling and Venue Management

CLASS LISTS are accessible via SSRS when you log into your profile for the semester. Subjects you are teaching will appear here, and you will be able to download class lists, student information and room allocation. You can also request a class photo list from your subject coordinator, or by contacting ABP-timetabling@unimelb.edu.au.

Casual Tutor Recruitment System (requires login)

It is important to confirm the dates for your teaching, and key submissions, against the University CALENDAR. These key dates include semester dates, as well as public / University holidays (NB these are not always the same!). Please also note that students may be able to apply for Special Consideration for formal religious or cultural observances (refer below).

Semester Dates

Building Access

You will need to complete an Online Building Induction prior to access being granted. Once granted, access to ABP buildings is programmed directly to your staff card.

Teaching Facilities and IT Help

Every teaching space in the MSD is equipped with a lectern computer, a mouse, a projector and sound speakers. HDMI, VGA and audio input cables are also available in the lectern for you to connect your laptop into the projector.

HELP : If the lectern computer or projector is not working in your teaching space, please call (834) 40777 to report the problem (the number is also displayed next to the lectern in every classroom).

University Services should have a normal response time of under 15min. If it cannot be resolved over the phone, support staff will come to assist.

Please don’t hang up the phone before reaching the service - it is critical that any problems with teaching spaces are reported to avoid impacting the next class. You will be asked for your username so the staff at University Service can log the problem you are experiencing into the system. This allows ABP staff to follow up on the problem if it is not resolved. You will be asked to rate the service after reporting or when the issue is resolved.

ABP Space and Facilities

Click this LINK for more information about Getting Access to Space and Facilities at ABP.

The Architecture, Building and Planning Library is located on the Ground floor and Basement of the Melbourne School of Design / Glyn Davis Building, Parkville campus. It holds extensive collections of materials for the research and teaching in the Faculty, and also offers support for students' use of these materials.

Architecture, Building and Planning Library

The ABP Study and Research Guide is a fantastic resource developed by our Library alongside University Academic Skills.  It is a great way for staff and students to access clear guidance for the use and referencing of materials (including books; articles; maps; drawings ...) for research and learning.  Links to specific sections of the guide can be included in project briefs or shared with students.

ABP Study and Research Guide

Academic Skills provides resources and services for students and graduate researchers to develop their writing, communication and human skills, and also assistance for staff who want to embed this content withing their own teaching.

Academic Skills

We love to make things ... and developing skills with technologies such as laser cutting, 3D printing or virtual reality alongside individual creative capacity is a key part of the built environment education students experience at the Faculty.  The MAKER SPACES site includes links to the FabLab; Robotics Lab; Machine Workshop; NExT Lab; Makerspace; Loans Desk; Printroom and the Training Centre that includes Video Tutorials and Safety Induction Information.  If you are planning for your students to make use of these facilities as part of their learning, be in contact with the staff well in advance ... planning and preparation, as well as coordination with other subjects, will be needed.

Maker Spaces

The FabLab has produced a series of pages to assist coordination, and to support staff/student use of FabLab facilities for coursework.

• INDUCTION ACCESS aims to inform Academic Staff about induction of students into the FabLab facilities. For more information on gaining access to workshop areas, details can be found under Getting Access (Space + Facilities) under the section 'Workshop Areas'.
• BASIC INFORMATION sets out key information for staff that will impact how students achieve model making outcomes. For more information on the Makerspaces' procedures and processes visit the MSD Makerspaces Gitbook.
• STUDIO (C, D, & E) CLASS MODELLING INTEGRATION confirms that FabLab technicians will endeavour to support technical and complex problem solving for your subject as much as possible. Given the variety of machinery and constant use by both students and faculty staff, it is important to be aware of time frames within each semester to assist preparation and effectiveness.
• STUDIO (C, D, & E) SUBJECT WITH FABLAB COORDINATION supports staff by clarifying FabLab needs in relation to your teaching.  These aim to ensure the FabLab is effectively notified, and therefore organised to support and subject activities for your students.

Please refer to the link and scroll through the pages using the buttons provided.

The FabLab

Delivery of great teaching includes developing an awareness of the many modes available for delivery of content, prompts and experiences.  These include ON-LINE; FACE TO FACE; and BLENDED approaches that mix both.  Different modes can make use of a wide variety of tools, and will suit different types of study and different students, for different purposes.

The links on this page focus on support and coordination with University systems, including the Learning Management System (LMS), but the development of content is also important.  Please take a look at Developing Great Content (LINK) for further information.

Developing Great Content

The Learning Management System  brings together many components.The University is moving from Blackboard to Canvas in 2020 Semester 1 . For more information on Canvas (using Canvas as well as the migration process) click on the following link:

https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/belt/abp-teaching-toolbox/canvas

The STUDIO CRIT session program for mid / end of semester is a key learning experience for students, and one that offers both a deadline (very useful for studio subjects where the 'end' of a project is less clear) and also the opportunity for students to see projects and presentations by their colleagues from across all year levels.  Studio leaders will need to contact Geoff Kelly (see email) to arrange a time for the crit session.

Contact: Geoff Kelly

You can help students to prepare for the crits by giving them a clear understanding of how much time they will have to present, the ideas or issues they should focus on, and the content they should include on panels / pinups. Getting organised in advance for the arrangement of furniture, pinning up, and student roles for timekeeping or scribing can help crit sessions to run to time and focus on the main design discussions.  It is important to be aware that many students (especially in the undergrad programs) are nervous about presenting. Support and guidance from you and their peers will help them to gain the most from this key learning opportunity.  The Faculty regularly offers Crit Survival Seminars, but there are a range of other sites and resources for you and your students to prepare for these important sessions.

Meeting rooms in the MSD Building are available for staff use and can be booked through the meeting room Outlook calendars. Details of available rooms, and the process for booking, are available via the links provided.

Meeting rooms (requires login)

Add a meeting room calendar in Outlook (requires login)

If you need to book a space for a workshop or one-off teaching event,  the WEB ROOM BOOKING (WRB) system allows you to query room availability of shared teaching spaces and directly create ad-hoc bookings. WRB is a simple and easy to use web interface that interacts with The University of Melbourne's timetable; you should receive a confirmation email immediately after processing your booking request online.

Web Room Booking (WRB) (requires login)

Being accessible to students, and clear and responsive to their questions or concerns is a very important part of teaching.  It is also important to manage your own time and energy as an educator and being clear about the expectations and avenues of your response will help.  Asking students to post (content-focussed) questions and comments to a discussion board in the LMS allows more to be involved in the discussion and more students will learn from your responses.  Be consistent in the avenues you use to communicate (unimelb email; LMS discussion board) and the times you will respond.  Private questions (eg for Special Consideration requests) should be managed via your unimelb email.  (Note all teaching related correspondence should use these communications, not private or professional email addresses).