FAQ - Students

Commencing Trimester 3 2009, new look Subject Outlines will appear within CSU Interact subject sites. Improvements have been made to standardise the structure of Subject Outlines to ensure greater consistency across subjects and allow you to more easily discover and navigate the subject information pertinent to your study. The new look online Subject Outline will also provide a ‘print version’ option (PDF format) for your download and retention for your studies as well as potential future uses, e.g. applications for credit. Please note that a printed subject outline will no longer be provided as part of the learning materials package for students who study by distance education.

How do I get a print version of my Subject Outline?

Can I just print out a section of the Subject Outline that I need in hard copy?

Why isn’t a Subject Outline included in my DE Learning Materials Package?
Will I still receive a Learning Materials Package for my DE subject?
When will I be able to access my online Subject Outline?
Can I use a screen reader to access my Subject Outline?
How do I access disability services?
How do I obtain technical support for my online Subject Outline?

How do I get a print version of my Subject Outline?

It is not expected that students print off the entire Subject Outline. It has been designed to be read online (HTML or PDF version) and then a choice of pages can be printed, e.g. assessment items. The print version of an Outline is in PDF format and can be generated via the clickable link in the top right hand corner of the online Outline.

Can I just print out a section of the Subject Outline that I need in hard copy?

Yes - you are not expected to print out the entire - only any pages of the PDF which you wish to refer to in hard copy. The print version of an Outline is in PDF format - when selecting to print the PDF document the printer's 'page range' options apply as normal.

Why isn’t a Subject Outline included in my DE Learning Materials Package?

In moving to an online learning environment – CSU Interact – the decision to remove the hardcopy Subject Outline from Learning Materials Packages was two-fold:

Being ‘green’ – from a sustainability perspective, CSU Academic Senate mandated that all CSU Subject Outlines be online with an option for students to print desired pages of the Outline – it is not expected that students print the entire Outline. Thus the Subject Outline has been designed to be read online (HTML or PDF version) and then a choice of pages can be printed, e.g. assessment items. The PDF version is accessibility compliant and improves the portability of the Outline (soft and hard copy). For each subject which you study, the Outline should be downloaded and retained in soft copy for use during study as well as for potential future uses, e.g. applications for credit.

Policy – in shifting responsibility back to Schools to develop and quality assure Outlines as per Senate policy/resolutions, Outline production timeline implications needed to be removed for your Subject Coordinator. In the past, Subject Coordinators have been required to finalise Subject Outlines approximately six (6) months prior to session commencement to enable Subject Outlines to be posted as part of DE Learning Material Packages. By removing these timeline dependencies, Subject Coordinator’s are now able to manage their own workloads within their School’s timelines. Outlines are expected to be published no later than 14 days prior to session. Timelines for production and despatch of Learning Materials Packages will not change.

Will I still receive a Learning Materials Package for my DE subject?

Yes - from a sustainability perspective CSU is trying to reduce, but certainly not eliminate, the amount of learning resources that are printed. Where Distance Education subjects are supported by learning materials, these will continue to be despatched as normal.

When will I be able to access my online Subject Outline?

A Subject Outline should become available to you within your CSU Interact subject site no later than 14 days before the start of a session.

Can I use a screen reader to access my Subject Outline?

Yes - the print version of an Outline is in PDF format which is accessibility compliant. You generate a print version of an Outline by a clickable link in the top right hand corner of the online Outline. (Also see ‘How do I access disability services?' below).

How do I access disability services?

The Student Services 'Disability Services @ CSU' website can be accessed here http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/disability/index.htm.

Where do I find technical support for my online Subject Outline?

A handy place to start is to check the list of CSU Interact known issues (http://www.csu.edu.au/division/landt/interact/help/issues.htm) before contacting Student Central or reporting a new problem with the IT Service Desk.

For help with technical difficulties associated with your online subject outline:

Students - Student Central 1800 ask csu (1800 275 278) internal 37507, or via Student Central.

Staff - DIT Service Desk 1300 653 088 internal 84357, or via the Online form.