Education

Welcome

Congratulations on being accepted into your course in the Faculty of Education! You have worked hard to get here and I am pleased to welcome you to the Faculty of Education, La Trobe.

This may be your first university experience, or it may be you have changed directions or are starting a new degree. Whether it is your first time at university, your first time at this university or the beginning of a new course it will be a time of change, of excitement but also probably some nervousness.

Take time to read and view the material provided for you here, in orientation week and during the semester. Don’t worry about asking questions, even if they seem inconsequential. It is by asking questions and wondering that we learn. The academic and administrative staff are willing to assist you negotiate your way around the buildings, paperwork, timetable and other aspects of your study.

Spend some time exploring the other university and faculty resources available for you. I know it may be tempting to avoid reading the numerous student and subject manuals you will be provided. However, it will be time well spent as they provide useful and important information to support your learning this year.

During the year the First Year Experience Coordinator for your campus academic unit will provide important information to you through your La Trobe email account, and through the university online learning system. Please ensure that you check your LTU email inbox regularly as this is main mechanism for communicating important university and faculty information to students.

For further information about the Faculty of Education, including its academic units please refer to the Faculty’s website.

All the best for the year ahead.

Brendon Munge
First Year Experience Coordinator, Faculty of Education

Timetabling

Bendigo Campus

Education Bendigo

The Bachelor of Education, the Bachelor of Early Childhood and Education, and the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education share a core first year.

Timetabling information will be provided at your course welcome sessions during orientation week. You will be allocated a class (POD) that you will be in for all classes and a timetable. This enables you to get to know a small group of students within the larger first year cohort. Please read this timetable carefully – it has been prepared to provide all students with a spread of classes across the week and each day.

Classes are not normally scheduled for first year students on Monday and Friday as these days are used for practicum. If you need to change your allocated class you will need to speak to the first year course administrator in Orientation Week once you have received your timetable.

Outdoor and Environmental Education

The Bachelor of Outdoor Education, the Bachelor of Outdoor Environmental Education, the Bachelor Outdoor Recreation Education, the Bachelor of Physical and Outdoor Education, the Bachelor of Nature Tourism, and the Bachelor of Natural Resource Education.

Timetabling information will be provided at your course welcome sessions during transition program held on the 17th and 18th of February.

Classes are timetabled for Monday to Wednesday, with practical classes timetabled periodically throughout the semester on Thursday through Sunday.

Melbourne Campus

The Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), the Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary), and the Bachelor of Outreach and Community Education.

All undergraduate Education students at the Bundoora campus enrol into their tutorials/seminars via the OASIS tutorial allocation system. You will need your La Trobe Username and Password to access this system. The Faculty will open the system to all undergraduate education students at 9am on Thursday 23rd  February.

You should log onto OASIS and select the tutorial/seminar for each of your subjects. (Please be aware that tutorials/seminars fill up quickly so if you have limited time you should access the system early to avoid disappointment).

If you are studying subjects from other Faculties that use OASIS you should be able to select tutorials for those subjects as well.  Please note that different Departments open their OASIS allocation system at different times – please check with the relevant department to make sure that you do not miss the opening time.

Mildura Campus

The Bachelor of Education

Timetabling information will be provided at your course welcome sessions during orientation week.

Support

The Faculty of Education recognises that your first year at University is often a time of change, even if you have studied at Uni or TAFE before. To help you adjust to your life as a La Trobe student we offer a number of support resources within the Faculty, as well as the supports offered by the University.

The First Year Experience

The First Year Experience Coordinator is responsible for the overall management of the Undergraduate First Year Faculty of Education student experience across all campuses. The Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring that all students are supported while studying in first year. Each campus or academic area in the Faculty of Education also has a First Year Experience Coordinator responsible specifically for your area of study:

The First Year Experience Coordinator is a useful contact for any questions you have about your study and especially if you are experiencing difficulties or problems which might be impacting on your academic work.  They can help coordinate support and refer you to University services.

Faculty Office (Student Services - administrative)

The general office for your academic area is the first place to go to for information, forms and questions.

  • Education Bendigo: Education Building, Level 2.
  • Outdoor and Environmental Education: Ironbark Centre, Level 2
  • Education Melbourne (Bundoora): Education 2 Building, Level 3
  • Education Mildura: General Office

Academic Course Coordinators and Advisors

Academic Course Coordinators assist students at all year levels with the course related areas of your study. They can also help when personal or academic difficulties affect your study. By appointment, they are available for one-on-one confidential meetings and can help with navigating University policy, Course counselling and providing referrals to other university services. See Important Faculty Contacts for further details.

Academic Language and Learning Unit (ALLU)

ALLU works with students on all campuses to ensure that all Education Faculty students develop the academic speaking, writing, reading, and numeracy skills required for successful learning at University. Information about classes and drop-in times will be advised in orientation week and early in semester 1.

Connect Mentor Program

The Faculty of Education, together with Student Engagement and other Faculties, offers a comprehensive peer mentoring program. The program is designed to assist new students to meet others in their course/faculty. Having a more experienced student as a mentor will help you find your way around campus life and the facilities available. They can provide a ‘been there done that’ perspective to the First Year Experience.

FAQs

I have specific questions about my course

Comprehensive information for each Course can be found on the Faculty of Education Course and Subject information Webpage and in the handbook. If you still have questions, please contact the Course Administrator for the degree you are enrolled in. See Important Faculty Contacts for further details.

What is a First Year Experience Coordinator?

The First Year Experience Coordinator is responsible for the overall management of the Undergraduate First Year Faculty of Education student experience across all campuses. The Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring that all students are supported while studying in first year. Importantly, each campus or academic area in the Faculty of Education also has a First Year Experience Coordinator responsible specifically for your area of study. The First Year Experience Coordinator in your academic unit is a useful contact for any questions you have about your study and especially if you are experiencing difficulties or problems which might be impacting on your academic work. They can help coordinate support and refer you to University services

How much study is expected of me outside of class?

It is recommended that students spend approximately 10 hours of study each week for each 15 credit point subject. This includes your classes. That means if you have three hours of classes a week (e.g. 2 hours lectures and 1 hour tutorial), you would be expected to do at least 7 hours of study in your own time. If you are doing four subjects, you can now see how this is considered full time, as you would need to spend at least 40 hours studying each week.

How can I apply for Leave of Absence (LOA)?

A leave of absence is an approved break in your study, usually for a maximum of two semesters. An application for a Leave of Absence (also known as Intermission of Studies) can be made prior to the census date of the relevant semester of leave to avoid financial penalty. LOA is normally available for a total of two semesters. Further leave may be considered under special circumstances. Leave of Absence (Intermission of Studies) forms are available from the Course administrators.

Can I study part time?

Most Undergraduate courses in the Faculty are available in part-time mode. It is best to contact the Course administrator for advice on part-time study.

How do I change the subjects I am enrolled in?

This will depend on the course you are enrolled in.  Contact the course administrator for your course for advice and a variation of enrolment form prior to the relevant census date. Withdrawals after this date may incur financial or academic penalties. You cannot withdraw from a subject once the academic period in which it is being taught has ended.

What is LMS?

LMS is an Internet based learning management system used as a virtual classroom in addition to lectures and tutorials/labs. Most subjects will have an online component. Many courses also use LMS for course information, discussions and news.

I am experiencing personal difficulties that are affecting my studies, what should I do?

It is very important to contact the First Year Experience Coordinator, your Course Coordinator or the Course Administrator in your academic unit as soon as possible. Leaving an issue generally makes it worse rather than better. If you are experiencing academic progress issues, personal difficulties, or require advice on university policy and procedures relating to special consideration etc., please make an appointment to see your First Year Coordinator, Course Coordinator or Course Administrator at the Faculty Office. The University Counselling Service is also available.

Who do I see if I am having problems with my assessments?

The subject coordinator is always the first person to talk to. The Academic language and learning staff are also available for individual or small group help well as the timetabled workshops.

Contacts

Education Bendigo

First Year Experience Coordinator:

General Administration:

  • Education Building, Level 2
  • T: 03 5444 7907

Outdoor and Environmental Education

First Year Experience Coordinator:

General Administration:

  • Ironbark Centre, Level 2.14
  • T: 03 5444 7285

Education Melbourne (Bundoora)

First Year Experience Coordinator:

General Administration:

  • Level 3, EDU 2
  • T: 03 9479 2546    

Education Mildura

First Year Experience Coordinator:

General Administration:

  • T: 03 5051 4000