MGSE staff news
Travel advice
Current Australian Government travel advice is a travel ban is in place for all Australians effective 25 March. If you wish to return home, do so as soon as possible. Further information is available from the Smart Traveller website.
If you have recently travelled overseas or have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 please take note of health advice and self-isolate for 14 days in line with advice from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Australian Government Department of Health.
As of 9pm (AEDT), Friday 20 March, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can enter Australia from overseas. The University has been in contact with all staff on work-related trips (booked through UniTravel), graduate researchers and Study Abroad and Exchange students currently overseas.
For more information visit the COVID-19 Current Advice page for staff.
Messages from the Office of the Dean
Download the messages sent to all staff in the last fortnight that you may have missed:
- 12/3/20 - OOTD#14 Clarifying flexible teaching, assessment and academic adjustment
- 16/03/20 - OOTD#15 Call for Proposals - MGSE Industry Reports
- 17/03/20- OOTD#16 Postponement of MGSE Staff Dialogues
- 17/03/20- OOTD#17 Harmony Day - Event Cancellation
- 17/03/20 - OOTD#18 Covid-19 Update
- 18/03/20 - OOTD#19 University of Melbourne Influenza Program
- 19/03/20 - OOTD #20 Learning Environments - Assistance for Teaching Online
- 24/3/20 - OOTD #21 IT Support for Teaching Transition
- 24/3/20 - OOTD #22 Establishment of a Digital Taskforce Team
Establishment of a Digital Taskforce Team
A new Digital Taskforce has been established to assist with our pivot to remote and online teaching. The purpose of the taskforce is to provide pedagogic expertise to assist colleagues to design and use effective remote and online teaching strategies across all of our subjects.
The taskforce will be led by the Digital Taskforce Coordinator, Dr Nicky Dulfer, and team members will include Dr Joanne Blannin, Dr Kate Coleman, Associate Professor Mark Selkrig, Catherine Smith and Dr Amy McKernan because of their considerable expertise in teaching via online, remote and blended learning modes. They have already, very generously, given their support to the formalisation of this team. Under the leadership of Nicky Dulfer they will develop a range of strategies to support staff to build skills and capabilities in digital pedagogies.
You will hear further announcements from Dr Nicky Dulfer about how to access the expertise of the Taskforce soon, particularly in the current environment as we move swiftly to a virtual campus.
IT Support for Teaching Transition
There is support available to MGSE staff as we transition to online teaching.
General IT, Zoom and Canvas Support
| General IT | 7.30am -7.30pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends Any IT queries |
|---|---|
| Zoom | 7.30am -7.30pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends Teaching and learning support, including urgent assistance with Zoom or Canvas Call: 834 40777 |
| Canvas | 7.30am -7.30pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends Teaching and learning support, including urgent assistance with Zoom or Canvas Call: 834 40777 Dedicated UoM support channels are outlined on the LMS website. |
| Learning Environments - alternative delivery methods support | Dedicated support sessions organised by MGSE sign up here. In-person sessions available:
|
| Tools and Support for Working remotely | Consult the University’s Zoom in Canvas LMS resources and the Zoom conferencing portal with associated help documents (click through to ‘Read guide’). Here you can find step-by-step guidance on everything from installing the application to screen sharing and using breakout rooms. |
MGSE Professional staff support
A group of professional staff have capacity to provide additional support during this time for whatever is needed. There are staff with a wide range of skills and connections who can help with:
- General administrative requests
- General IT requests
- Preparing/formatting resources
- Booking Zoom meetings (this is different to Zoom via Canvas for teaching)
Please email mgse-resadmin@unimelb.edu.au for support on your query.
Support for Students
Student IT has resources to help students get set up for online learning and provides support via chat or a request form. The University has a dedicated COVID-19 site which has advice and support for students.
How to work securely from home during COVID-19
Please be aware that cyber attackers are using the threat of the Coronavirus to attempt to steal personal and possibly company information from the public through phishing emails and scams. Please take extra caution with every email or phone call you receive, especially those attempting to increase fear, create a sense of urgency, or request information.
At work:
- Be cautious of emails asking you to act in an urgent manner, usually by taking immediate action
- Be suspicious of unsolicited emails and messages asking you to download attachments or to click on links
- Beware of unexpected phone calls from individuals claiming to be from a legitimate organisation.
If you receive a suspicious email, please report it immediately to the UoM Cybersecurity team.
To work securely from home:
- To keep you and your devices secure while working from home make sure you secure each device with some type of passcode or lock. This can be a four-digit PIN, swipe pattern or password. Enable automatic lock when you are not using your device or lock your workstation when you are not using it
- Keeping your devices updated and patched to their latest versions makes it difficult for cybercriminals to explore any weaknesses in outdated operating systems and applications. Enable automatic updates if you are worried about constantly checking whether new updates are available
- Multi-factor authentication - also known as two factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of security and is more secure than using just passwords by themselves.
This method requires two pieces of information to prove who you say you are.
Find out how you can enrol with multi-factor authentication at: unimelb.edu.au/cybersecurity - Secure your home WiFi with a strong password for your home network that is enabled, and different from your routers default configuration password. In your router configuration enabling the WPA2 setting ensures your online activities are encrypted.
COVID-19: Supporting students
In recognition of the impact experienced by some of our students affected by COVID-19 and associated travel restrictions, the University is offering a student support package to support students to commence or return to study. This includes support grants which are intended to help students with unanticipated expenses incurred as a result of the travel restrictions related to COVID-19. Eligible expenses include accommodation costs, fees associated with unrecoverable flight changes, additional costs associated with the 14-day self-isolation period, and upgrading technology to facilitate flexible learning. The total amount payable to each student will be determined based on their individual level of impact and actual costs incurred.
For more information on these grants and other support measures, see the student FAQs page.
University of Melbourne Influenza Program
The University's Influenza Vaccination Program runs until mid-May. All eligible participants are encouraged to book an appointment online to receive their free vaccination as soon as possible. Online appointments are available at a number of locations, including Carlton, Burnley, Parkville, Southbank and Werribee. Please read all the information on the program page before booking your appointment, including eligibility, how to book and frequently asked questions. For more information or for bookings visit the program page.
MGSE Excellence Awards - Staff nominations
The Melbourne Graduate School of Education will confer awards to staff in recognition of excellence in Engagement, Professional Staff, Research and Teaching in 2020. Nominations from MGSE staff are now open. Visit the MGSE Excellence Awards page to download the relevant nomination form.
Applications must be submitted via email to mgse-awards@unimelb.edu.au by COB Monday 20 April.
MGSE Alumni Award
MGSE is committed to recognising alumni who have achieved excellence in their chosen field, and who have made a considerable contribution to the Graduate School, the University and their communities. MGSE will be awarding an Alumni for the first time in 2020. Nominations are now open, visit the MGSE Alumni Award page for more information.
Applications for the 2020 UoM Excellence Awards now open
The University of Melbourne Excellence Awards are back with applications now open. The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of academic and professional staff in the key areas of research, teaching, engagement, professional excellence and strategic priorities. Applications will remain open until Monday 18 May and information about the awards is available on the Melbourne CSHE website. For any queries email Nina Grange or call 8344 1121.
Digital Delivery of Cultural Services
The Wurundjeri Corporation is committed to taking the steps necessary to minimise health risks during this time for the broader community, our Wurundjeri Woi wurrung community, staff and supporters.
The Wurundjeri Corporation is implementing alternative digital delivery methods for cultural services to reach their valued audiences. Where possible, the Corporation is encouraging valued event partners to continue supporting the community by requesting pre-recorded videos and live-streamed Welcomes, Yidaki performances and Call to Country.
Face-to-face deliver of cultural services will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in accord with governmental legislative directives.
The easiest way to request digital services is via the Wurundjeri Corporation website.
In order to facilitate live-streaming, please ensure that you have:
- Access to a computer, tablet or phone with working video and audio
- The ability to download the app “Zoom” or Skype Business
- An email address
- Access to good internet
For any questions regarding pre-recorded cultural services or live-streaming (Welcomes, Yidaki Performances and Call to Country) please contact events@wurundjeri.com.au.
Green Impact 2020 launch
The Green Impact 2020 program launched this week. The program sets a framework to make simple green-based actions with your colleagues in a fun and flexible way while at work (or working from home). Past teams have grown herbs, adopted a turtle, started a reusable mug library and facilitated soft plastics collections in their office spaces. Find out more or register via the Green Impact page.
Myki Commuter Club renewal period
The Myki Commuter Club Renewal applications period will open Wednesday 1 April and close Tuesday 14 April. Visit the public transport fare (myki) discount page for more information. For any enquiries either call 8344 6115 or email myki-commuterclub@unimelb.edu.au.
Significant delays in the delivery of new computers
Significant supply chain disruptions continue to affect the supply of new computers. The University is taking steps to manage this situation and ensure the supply of computers continues for those most in need. This includes replacing non-functional computers and supplying computers to new staff. For the University to effectively manage the limited stock available, iProcurement computer purchasing has been decommissioned and replaced with a revised computer request form on the Staff Services Portal.
Computer peripherals and accessory purchases have been transferred to the eMarket platform. Depending on how a department organises the purchasing of computers staff can either make orders directly on the Staff Services Portal or liaise with a department representative who submits orders on behalf of the department.
Previously scheduled deployments for computers are being reviewed for urgency. If your order isn't considered urgent, your deployment will be postponed. Our computer supply partner Computers Now will communicate with affected staff on the status of their deployment. Postponed deployments are placed into a queue, which is continuously monitored by University. If the nature of your order ever changes and it becomes urgent to receive the order, please contact the Service Centre as soon as possible. To find out about the status of your order contact your department representative or log a ticket with the Service Centre.
Mass on campus suspended
Due to the emerging COVID-19 situation, mass on campus has been suspended from Monday 23 March until Monday 20 April. More information is available on the Catholic Chaplaincy page.