Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University

202160 session

Please note: Subject preparation processes within and across Faculties/Schools can vary; the below pages are to be used as a guide only. In the first instance, refer to directives from Faculty and your School especially in relation to due dates.


Download the session calendar

To import the session calendar into your personal or school calendar click on the download button above and then follow the import calendar instructions. This will add all session dates to your calendar.  All dates show as 'Free.'

If you are unable to download the calendar please use the feedback form on this page.

  • PreSession
  • Early Weeks of Session
  • During/End of Session
Recommended dates Task to be completed Resources

3rd May 2021

(All subjects) Review actions from previous session:
Visit QUASAR for the current session. To view action for each subject ‘go to actions’ on the far right side of the menu.
Close items as they are completed.

(Some subjects) Subject Validation:
If there has been a CASIMS change that is to be applied from this session, then the Subject Validation form in QUASAR needs to be completed by the convenor and moderator 6 weeks before the start of session as part of the creation and QA of the master subject outline.

Subject Outline multiple cohort subjects:
Allocate Subject Outline publishing responsibilities. No access to Subject Outline? Email your Faculty Subjects Admin Team.

Access Issues?
No access to the subject outline or QUASAR? Then email your Faculty Subjects Admin Team.

Need to organise your subject lists within Interact2? – Click on the  Getting Started link in resources and then select the accordion ‘Organise your subject list’.

17th May 2021

Textbook confirmation:
Ensure textbooks listed in the Subject Outline are confirmed on the Textbook Confirmation webpage. Ensure textbooks are referenced accurately with the correct title, author, publisher and edition.
Learn how to optimise student access to textbooks and how to use eBooks for teaching.
Check Primo Search, to find if eBook options are available and direct students to link the ebook etiquette.
Do you need help selecting a new textbook? Contact your Faculty Librarian for assistance.

Subject Outline single cohort subjects: 
Clone and review Subject Outline.

Review assessments:
Review assessments tasks with reference to the subject outline quality assurance checklist. Consider the inclusion of early low stakes assessment, and embedded literacy and numeracy skills development, especially for subjects with large numbers of commencing students. If your assessments require information & digital literacy, is this reflected in the question and/or rubric? For support with your assessment, please log a job with our Service Request System (SRS).

Embed literacy/numeracy support: Review assessments to identify critical literacy, numeracy, referencing, and learning support required. Negotiate provision of contextualised strategies and resources with the Academic Skills Coordinator. Explicitly identify workshop dates and relevant resources in the Learning Schedule of the Subject Outline. If your subject requires access to BKSB (literacy/numeracy diagnostic online tests), confirm details with your Faculty's Academic Skills Coordinator.

24th May 2021

Review subject readings:
Review existing Leganto reading lists. For assistance creating, updating, reusing or editing contact your Faculty Librarian.
Check readings for currency and accurate citations. Ensure copyright compliance.
Readings need updating? Contact your Faculty Librarian.
Find out more about Leganto, enrol in PD , check out Using Leganto: For staff or pop in to a Drop-In Session with a specific question.
For reading requests without a Leganto reading list, submit at eReserve & Reserve
To request high demand physical items (textbooks, kits and models) for on campus Reserve, submit at eReserve & Reserve

31st May 2021

Submit Master Subject Outline for QA:
Subject convenor to ensure that the Master Subject Outline complies with the Subject Outline QA Checklist.
Submit for Quality Assurance. QUASAR Subject validation form submitted if required.

7th Jun 2021

Master Subject Outline ready to be published: 
Incorporate any QA feedback received and approved to await publishing two weeks before the start of session.

MyTimetable open for Academic Staff
You will receive an email advising that MyTimetable is open for Academic staff. Click on the link and check you have access to the system. If not, email timetable@csu.edu.au including your full name, staff ID number and School/s you teach under and we will add you to the system.

Attend an information session to get a better understanding of what MyTimetable offers.

MyTimetable opens in read-only mode for Students Friday 11 June
MyTimetable opens in read-only mode for internal students with on campus classes at Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie or Wagga.
Students will be able to log in and view their timetable and plan for class allocations. Students will also be able to submit a clash form to the timetable team if they have a clash with 2 core subjects. Student Central is the first port of call for MyTimetable enquiries however you may be contacted if more detailed course/subject information is required.

14th Jun 2021

Multiple cohort subjects - clone Subject Outline from master:
QA Officer ensures consistency and approves all remaining subject outlines to await publishing two weeks before the start of session.
By default, all Outline publication dates are set to two weeks prior to session commencing. Use the “date picker” to select your preferred publication date if you require your outline to be available earlier.

If required, merge cohorts within Interact2:
Merge cohorts if required. All Subject Outlines must be published before merging.
For support with your subject, please log a job with our Service Request System (SRS).

Set-up interact2 site:
Export content from previous site and import to site(s) for current session. Rearrange any navigation order if required.

Check technology has been set up correctly:
Check the setup of technologies such as Online Meeting, CSU Replay (Panopto)

Review content and activities for currency in Interact2:
Review learning activities and consider subject currency, constructive alignment and copyright compliance.

Check all subject links:
Check all links within content and update out of date or broken links.  Consider copyright compliance

Request additional subject support (Optional):
Request an Embedded Librarian and/or Academic Skills to host an information session relevant to the skills needed in the subject. Contact Disability Services for support with Assistive Technology.

21st Jun 2021

Develop landing page/homepage in Interact2:
Create your landing page with your name, contact details, image, academic bio, subject introduction, contact medium and times.  Alternate design could include regular updates.
The default entry page will be the Subject Outline tool. To change the default to your landing page access the change entry point instructions. For support, please log a job with our Service Request System.

Get ready to engage with your students:
Create an introductory activity to orient the student to the subject, any technology students will be required to use or as a ‘get to know you’ for the students.
Set up other tools such as Groups, Wikis, Blogs or Journals. (If not an assessment item).
Create Discussion Forums and Threads.
Request early opening of the Interact2 site (if required).

Set up your contact's page
Ensure staff information in contacts page is current.  If tab is not required hide from students.

View Interact2 using student preview:
Check appearance, embedded videos and subject navigation using Student Preview.
Make content unavailable to students if you are still working on it.

MyTimetable opens for class allocations
Students will be able to sign up to their preferred classes. Students will also be able to submit a clash form to the timetable team if they have a clash with 2 core subjects. Student Central is the first port of call for MyTimetable enquiries however you may be contacted if more detailed course/subject information is required.

28th Jun 2021

Interact2 sites visible including Subject Outline, to enrolled students.

Welcome message (Regardless of mode):
Send an announcement to all students providing an overview of the subject, your 'office hours', best contact method and expected response time.  Include information specific to your subject such as residential schools compulsory classes or work placements. Keep it short, focused and welcoming.

Set up assessment tools:
Set up assessment tools such as Blogs, Journals, Discussion Forums or Tests after Subject Outline is published.

Grade Centre Interact2:
Confirm grade centre totals. Ensure there is one column for each task and columns are named clearly. Check cumulative totals 100.  Check all the assessment items are feeding into the cumulative total and columns details are correct.

12th Jul 2021

Session starts:
Now you have completed the Pre session tasks please move onto the suggested tasks for Early weeks of Session tab.
Recommended dates Task to be completed Resources

12th Jul 2021

Welcome message (Regardless of mode):
Send an announcement providing guidelines about how they should be approaching the subject and expectations for the first week. Keep it short, focused and welcoming. Consider a weekly announcement following the same format.

Meet and get to know your students: 
Develop a high Teacher Presence – respond to queries in the Discussion Board, or allow time in face to face sessions to answer questions.
Facilitate a ‘get to know you’ activity prepared prior to session commencement.
Conduct a poll giving students a choice regarding their learning e.g. options for online meeting times.
Consider encouraging the development of study groups

Outline assessment expectations:
Outline assessment tasks expectations. If online, run an online meeting and provide recording.

19th Jul 2021

University student support:
Advise students about individual study support options relevant to your subject (e.g. Library, Academic Skills).

Promote your Embedded Librarian (Optional):
Make an announcement prior to a Library class or to promote a Research Skills Guide to encourage engagement with the resources prior to the assessment.

2nd Aug 2021

Support students requiring pre-census guidance:
Consider data from early low stakes assessment (where applicable) and Interact2 access when providing feedback. Provide information about relevant student services.

Prepare and submit end of session exam:
For subjects with an end of session exam, it is time to submit an exam request form. In consultation with subject coordinators, develop an exam and submit for QA.

6th Aug 2021

HECS Census Date

9th Aug 2021

Consider downloading calendar reminders for next teaching session

Recommended dates Task to be completed Resources

9th Aug 2021

Maintain Teacher Presence:
Maintain teacher presence to support engagement, through announcements, answering forum questions and monitoring discussion. Guide students with information about topic expectations, time they should be spending on tasks and provide feedback on tasks and answer queries.

Before remaining assessment tasks:
Provide reminders about assessment due dates.
Organise Assessment support e.g. video or online meeting to discuss rubric marking criteria and assessment queries.
Encourage students to complete any tasks related to assessment.
Consider providing exemplars that reinforce expectations.

Timetabling requirements gathering for Stage 1, 2022
Data will be collected for timetabling requirements over 2 weeks. You may be invited to attend a meeting to discuss your requirements or receive an email asking you to review and add your requirements to the Timetable SharePoint. Reach out to the Timetable team during this time if you would like to discuss your requirements for your Stage 1 subject.

16th Aug 2021

Assessment Feedback:
Consider using a variety of methods to provide timely individual assessment feedback. NORFOLK allows for written, audio and video files.
For assessment item(s) to be moderated, consult relevant Faculty guidelines.
Moderation and Grades form in QUASAR can be started as soon as assessments are moderated.

Week 5 checkpoint on content accesses
Use Trial Analytics to check student accesses to key learning content.

23rd Aug 2021

Subjects with end of session exam:
Subject Convenor uploads exam to exams portal

13th Sep 2021

Preparation for exams:
Consider distributing an exam guidance statement (must be identical for each cohort).
Consider inviting Academic Skills to provide advice about exam prep.

1st Oct 2021

Stage 1, 2022 Draft Timetable Released

You will receive an email advising that the Stage 1 draft timetable is available. Click on the link to review your timetable. If required, submit an amendment request on the Timetable SharePoint and/or submit a Staff Unavailability Form. You may receive a meeting invite to discuss the timetable with your course group. Reach out to the Timetable team if you would like to discuss your timetable.

11th Oct 2021

Evaluation:  
Thank students for involvement in the subject and remind them to complete the Subject Evaluation Survey.

1st Nov 2021

Moderation of assessment:
Complete required moderation of assessment (refer to relevant Faculty guidelines). Submit completed ‘Moderation & Grades’ form in QUASAR.

22nd Nov 2021

Subject reflection:
As soon as subject performance data is available and after all marking and moderation has been completed, consider organising a subject team meeting to discuss any issues with subject performance, the assessment tasks, marking criteria, marking and moderation process
Document key issues identified and action items to be taken and submit the completed ‘Subject Reflection and Planning’ form in QUASAR. prior to the 2nd School Assessment Committee meeting.

1st Nov 2021

Stage 1, 2022 Final Timetable Released

You will receive an email advising that the Stage 1 final timetable is available. Click on the link and review your timetable. If required, submit a Published Timetable Amendment Request Form or/and a Staff Unavailability Form.