Element 4: Readings

What is this element about?

It is important that students have access to readings to support their learning, and that these readings use the UNE system/s to ensure that copyright compliance is managed centrally. Reading List is the current UNE centrally managed system for unit readings.

Why is it important?

There are a number of factors to consider when selecting reading materials for student learning. Readings must be accessible to students either as open access or via the UNE library.

In addition, all readings and use of whole/parts of sources must meet copyright compliance standards. This helps protect students, academic staff and the institution. Failure to meet copyright carries heavy penalties for the university. Copyright for images is also covered in Element 6.

Readings also need to reflect currency in relation to the discipline area and specific topic in question. Currency ensures that as graduates, our students are suitably informed to reflect the high-quality education that UNE provides.

we want to make it as easy as possible for our students to access the latest information that is aligned with their studies. (Acode, 2017, p. 7)

This element relates to the following research and practice informed guidelines/ frameworks:

TELAS Guidelines

• 1.3. Online learning environment meets appropriate accessibility standards.
• 7.2. Learning resources are copyright compliant and appropriately attributed.

UNE Learning Standards

• 7. Use technology to enrich and enable learning:
  Our learning experiences are designed to utilise existing and emerging technologies to enrich learning and provide opportunities to engage in new and meaningful ways. Technology should be used purposefully and must add value to the learning experience.

What can I do?

Some things you can do include:

• Ensure that the Reading List system is used to centrally manage unit readings
• Organise the Reading List system to help learners easily identify required readings from supplementary readings.
• Try and keep the reading list concise as overwhelming students will likely discourage rather than encourage them to read academic texts.
• Ensure readings are current. Review them prior to each iteration to ensure that the unit maintains currency.
• If there is a set text, ensure that it is fit for purpose and if revised that the latest version is available for students.
• Open access readings or identifying beneficial open access journals can help remove barriers to learning, such as financial issues.
• If students are encouraged to search for readings and sources to add to the unit learning community, then ensure that they are familiar with the copyright expectations.
• Consider breadth of readings that offer students an opportunity to explore different perspectives relevant to the topic or discipline area. Thereby encouraging more critical thinking.
• Consider how indigenous knowledges are reflected across your selected readings relevant to your discipline or topic area.

Access and accessibility and the work of librarians

With his work with Libraries without Borders as his foundation, Chang discusses the differences in access and accessibility and what is required for a movement to reach their entire intended audience.

Help and support

For help with Reading List access the UNE Library Reading List: Get started web page.

For help with sourcing readings and checking copyright compliance the UNE library staff are an invaluable resource. Each school has a designated librarian for you to contact. Visit the get library Get Support web page for details.

For information on copyright compliance visit the UNE Copyright at UNE for Teaching web page.

Supporting resources

Arjulayana, R., & Rachmi, R. (2022). The Issues of Academic Literacy in Conversation Practice During Online Learning. VELES: Voices of English Language Education Society, 6(2), 440–452. https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v6i2.5137

ACODE. (2017). Threshold standards for online. Retrieved from https://www.acode.edu.au/pluginfile.php/1530/mod_resource/content/1/ACODE_TSFOLE_draft_1.2.pdf

TELAS Framework https://www.telas.edu.au/framework/

UNE Online Learning Standards: https://myune.sharepoint.com/sites/academic-transformation/SitePages/Principals-for-Designing-Learning-Experiences-Online.aspx