All RIDBC Renwick Centre (University of Newcastle) students are provided with a NUmail email address. NUmail will be used to contact students about important information such as timetable changes, enrolment issues and library overdue notices. It is ESSENTIAL that all students check their NUmail account at least twice per week. For more information about NUmail, view the NUmail Questions and Answers . To access your Numail, go to http://www.outlook.com/uon.edu.au and login.

Hint: New students should save this web address in their "Favourites"!

Blackboard is the University of Newcastle's e-learning system. Every RIDBC Renwick Centre course will use a Blackboard site for the delivery of course materials and general information, and for student-lecturer communication. Students should access Blackboard on the FIRST DAY OF SEMESTER, by logging in at the entry page .

Hint: New students should save this web address in their "Favourites"!

A brief guide to accessing and using Blackboard is provided in the learning in the online environment module on the University of Newcastle website.

Distance Learner's Library Guide

The staff of the Rydge Family Library of the RIDBC Renwick Centre provide services specific to the needs of RIDBC Renwick Centre distance students. View the Distance Learner's Library Guide (DOC, 2.2MB) for information on the online library catalogue (NEWCAT), online databases, borrowing, copy requests and the contact details of library staff.

Readings on "Short Loans Online"

The Short Loans Online guide (DOC, 98KB) details how enrolled students may access electronic readings for courses. These readings are available in PDF format via NEWCAT and are accessible via a student login. Lecturers will refer students to Short Loans Online, if required, at the commencement of semester.

Questions?

If you require assistance accessing library and information services as a distance student, contact a librarian.

It is University of Newcastle policy that all students who require access support must register with the University of Newcastle's Disability Support Service. All RIDBC Renwick Centre students who need access support are required to register. Information about the registration process may be found at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/registration.html . Students of the Renwick Centre are encouraged to also discuss their access requirements with the Co-ordinator, Graduate Student Affairs at the Renwick Centre.

RIDBC Renwick Centre students who are attending campus conferences are welcome to take advantage of RIDBC's modern accommodation facilities. Recently renovated and reasonably priced, the accommodation facilities are conveniently located just a few minutes walk from our teaching rooms and library.

View our Accommodation page for information on location, bookings, tariffs and local facilities.

The RIDBC Renwick Centre Student Handbook (PDF, 946 KB) [handbook in accessible format (DOC, 913 KB)] contains information on the programs, courses and facilities of the RIDBC Renwick Centre. Consult this document for course descriptions, information to assist you in planning your program of study, and details of the academic and general staff of the Centre.

The RIDBC Renwick Centre 2012 Timetable (DOC, 483 KB) (last updated: 15 May 2012) contains information on course availability and campus conference dates.

The RIDBC Renwick Centre Practicum Handbook details the practicum requirements for EDUC6855, EDUC6666 and EDUC6861. All students are advised to review this document in the first semester of study.

Whole Book Download

• Download Practicum Handbook (PDF, 1.2 MB)
• For the Practicum Handbook in accessible format please contact the Practicum Coordinator

Section Downloads

To download particular sections of the Practicum Handbook, use the links below.

Students of the RIDBC Renwick Centre are required to use the American Psychological Association (APA) style to reference their work. If you do not reference your work, you may be guilty of plagiarism.

Refer to the APA Resources site on Blackboard, for tips and advice on where to find resources on APA style.

Hint: Purchase of an APA style guide (from any large bookshop) is highly recommended.

Turnitin is a program designed to assist in detecting referencing errors and can allow you to revise your work before final submission for assessment. The program can assist your referencing skills development through the feedback provided in the "Turnitin Originality Report".

RIDBC Renwick Centre students may be required to submit assessment tasks to Turnitin via Blackboard or the lecturer may submit your assignment to Turnitin on your behalf. Students should refer to the course outline for guidance on which assessment tasks the lecturer requires to be submitted through Turnitin.

For information on how to submit an assignment to Turnitin and how to interpret originality reports, view the Turnitin information for students .

Some RIDBC Renwick Centre courses require students to source text books. Most texts can be purchased from the University Co-operative Bookshop. (Information on how to become a member of the Co-op and how to order is located at http://www.coop-bookshop.com.au/bookshop/ ). Other texts may be available as e-books or via other suppliers. Your lecturer will advise you which texts are required and the supplier of the text. You may also view this information in the 2012 Textbooks summary (XLS 45KB, 13/2/2012). Students are encouraged to source texts as soon as possible, and prior to commencement of semester if possible.

The RIDBC Renwick Centre observes the calendar of the University of Newcastle. To assist you in planning your study, please refer to the semester dates which provides information on the semester weeks, University vacations and examination periods.

2012

For your convenience, a number of frequently used forms have been provided.

Assignment Cover Sheet

Complete a cover sheet for every assignment that is submitted. For assignments that are submitted as hard (paper) copies, print the cover sheet and attach. For electronically submitted assignments, copy and paste this page into the front of your file.

Download Assignment Cover Sheet (DOC, 90KB)

Assessment Summary Page

This document summarises the criteria for grading assessment tasks.

Download Assessment Summary Sheet (DOC, 402KB)

Students are allowed one 2-week informal extension per course at the discretion of the course coordinator. Further extensions to due dates must be submitted formally. Requests for extensions or any other consideration should be made online via the Special Circumstances application process .

If you have completed recent, relevant postgraduate study and you wish to apply for credit within a Renwick Centre program, please refer to university website (how to apply for credit) for further information.

The RIDBC Renwick Centre observes the calendar of the University of Newcastle. To assist you in planning your study, please refer to the semester dates which provides information on the semester weeks, University vacations and examination periods.

I have changed my address. Who should I advise?

Amend your address via Myhub and also email your new details to the Centre Secretary.

I need assistance planning my program and choosing courses. Who should I contact?

Consult the Student Handbook for general advice. Refer to the Study Patterns document (DOC 37K), for information on the order in which courses should be taken. If you require further clarification, contact the Co-ordinator, Graduate Student Affairs

Are campus conferences compulsory?

If a campus conference has been scheduled for a course, it should be considered compulsory. Students are required to attend the campus conference in its entirety.

Is a practicum a compulsory component of my MSpecEd program?

EDUC6666 Inclusive and Collaborative Practice is a core course to the Deaf / Hard of Hearing, Blind / Vision Impaired and Sensory Disability specialisations. If a student wishes to graduate with any of these specialisations, the student must include EDUC6666 in their program. A mandatory course requirement of EDUC6666 is completion of 20 days of practicum. Further details about the requirements of practicum may be obtained by contacting Kay Hooper, Practicum Coordinator.