Information for CSU Probationary Staff re completing Induction

EEL409 Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Please find below Q&A information for CSU Probationers to meet their probationary requirements by completing EEL409 Learning and Teaching in Higher Education in the Graduate Certificate of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.

What do I need to do to meet my probationary requirements?
You need to complete FULT and then enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and complete the subject EEL409 Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.

Do I have to complete the whole of the course?
No. You only need to complete EEL409 to meet probationary requirements. However, we hope you will consider completing the full program.

Do I really have to enrol in the course? Why can’t I enroll in a single subject?
If you enrol in a single subject EEL409, CSU will not be able to waive your fees. You will be liable for all fees, and will have to pay up-front. You will not be reimbursed.

When I enrol do I have to provide the transcript information requested on the enrolment application form?
No, this information is not required.

Does the course cost me anything?
No, all full-time CSU staff who meet the entry requirements of the course can complete the degree without charge.

Completing EEL409 is a compulsory employment requirement for probationary academic staff at CSU.
Staff members should complete an In-house benefits Salary Packaging Form (.pdf) only if you have paid for your course. You can then salary package up to $1000 in the FBT year.
CSU academic probationers will not pay for their studies in the subject EEL409. As the course is paid for by CSU, you only need to complete the FBT declaration form (word.doc)

As each person’s tax situation differs, we strongly recommend that you seek independent financial advice about your tax liabilities in relationship to the other 3 subjects in the course that are not compulsory, and the $1,000 FBT threshold.

How do I enroll in the Graduate Certificate of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education?

You need to complete an Application for Admission (.pdf) form

I am not a probationer. Can I still apply to enrol in the course? Will my study be fee exempt?

The course has been revised to encourage CSU academic and divisional staff involved in tertiary learning and teaching to apply to enroll. CSU will waive your fees, but as your study is voluntary, you may attract FBT if you exceed the $1,000 threshold. You will need to complete an In-house benefits Salary Packaging Form (.pdf). As each person’s tax situation differs, we strongly recommend that you seek independent financial advice about your tax liabilities, and the $1,000 FBT threshold.
Divisional and academic staff who voluntarily enrol in the course should seek a letter of support from their supervisors.

What is the study mode for EEL409?
EEL409 is a blended learning subject. It includes

two compulsory Intensives for CSU Probationary staff, one at the beginning and one at the end of the session.
working with a CSU educational designer and other peers
the completion of a work-based project in teritery learning and teaching based on your actual and existing work
participation in Interact
reporting project outcomes using Pebblepad (an eportfolio learning environment)
achieving the learning outcomes for EEL409 through completion of postgraduate assessment items

When are the compulsory Intensives?

Dates for EEL409 intensives 2012 as follows
Session 1: 13th February Wagga, 15th February Bathurst
4th June Wagga, 6th June Bathurst

Session 2: 25th June Wagga, 27th June Bathurst
15th October Wagga, 17th October Bathurst

I can’t make the compulsory Intensive. What can I do as an alternative?
Attendance and active participation in the intensives is an integral part of the learning pathway for probationary staff. You may attend either the Bathurst or Wagga Intensives. If after enrolling an exceptional circumstance makes attendance impossible you should immediately contact the subject coordinator. Non-probationers do not attend the Intensives. As EEL409 is offered to non-probationers as a blended learning subject you will not be disadvantaged by not being able to attend the Intensives. They are however, designed to support CSU probationary academic staff.

How is EEL409 assessed?
EEL409 is a postgraduate subject, and your work will be assessed as “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory”. The remaining subjects of the course will be graded.

Can I claim exemption for the subject EEL409 to meet the requirements of probation?
Yes, this is possible. The course is governed by CSU course rules. These rules allow a student to claim credit transfer, or “proficiency credit” (Recognition of Prior Learning), for subjects within the degree. You may be able to claim up to 50% of a postgraduate degree. Please follow the links to the:

CSU general information about Credit Transfer
CSU Credit Regulations (.rtf)

There are two ways of claiming exemption.

You can claim for “credit transfer”. Credit transfer applies where you have studied subjects at postgraduate level in university learning and teaching. General “education” subjects will not be accepted for credit transfer. In order to claim credit transfer you will need to apply for credit using the credit transfer form (.pdf)
You can claim for “proficiency credit”. Proficiency credit allows you to make a claim for prior professional practice in university learning and teaching. In order to claim for proficiency credit you will need to :

apply for credit using the credit transfer form (.pdf)
provide evidence for your claim. This may include a letter of support from your Head of School.
indicate how your evidence meets the learning outcomes of EEL409 University Learning and Teaching.

In order to claim either credit transfer or proficiency credit, you must first make an Application for Admission in the course. According to standard course rules, a student must be enrolled in order to apply for credit. You may have been granted exemption from completing the probationary requirement to complete EEL409 by your Dean. If this is the case, you may still wish to apply to enroll voluntarily in the course. You would do so in the normal manner, and FBT rules would apply to you.

For information about probationary requirements please refer to the Policy document (word.doc)