SuniTAFE offers a range of courses delivered partly or wholly online, and often these are completed via a flexible mode of study. 

These standards outline what students should expect when completing learning and/or assessment online.

Student support and engagement

• SuniTAFE’s primary online learning tool is SuniCONNECT. Students receive their login details on enrolment. 
• SuniCONNECT is accessed via SuniCONNECT
• On enrolment, students are provided with the most appropriate contact details for their trainer/assessor. Students should contact this person with any concerns about the course.
• The trainer/assessor will make contact with a student two (2) weeks following enrolment and will make monthly contact from then on.Where the trainer/assessor is on leave, a replacement contact person will be appointed, and students will be provided with their details.
• For technical support with SuniCONNECT, students should contact the Moodle Helpdesk on: 03 5022 3698 (Mon - Fri, 9am to 5pm), or email: moodlehelp@sunitafe.edu.au
• Students can expect a response to queries within two (2) business days.
• Students studying online have access to SuniTAFE’s Student Support Services, information about support services is available on our website:  Student Services | SuniTAFE
• SuniTAFE may ask for  feedback from time-to-time through surveys, however if a student has feedback or concerns at any time, they should contact their trainer/assessor in the first instance, or contact Student Administration:
  • Mildura Campus: 03 5022 3666
  • Swan Hill Campus: 03 5036 0220
• Collaborative learning opportunities will be provided so that students can interact with peers through the creation of online group discussion forums.

Learning using digital technology

• SuniTAFE’s Pre-Training Review is used to confirm whether a student’s chosen course is suitable and appropriate, and gathers information about a student’s digital literacy (their level of skill/ knowledge in using digital technology).
• Following enrolment, students will be provided with an online induction to SuniCONNECT by their trainer/assessor, and will be supported by help videos within SuniCONNECT.
• SuniTAFE’s Engagement and Retention Officers aim to support the success of all students by actively monitoring student engagement. Students identified as not engaging in their online course will be contacted by the Institute’s Engagement and Retention Officer to discuss support strategies for maintaining engagement in training. 

Minimum Hardware and System Requirements

• The recommended operating systems for SuniCONNECT is Windows 10 or Mac OSX Sierra.
• For Windows, the processor requirement is 1GHz or greater, and the recommended memory requirement is 1 GB RAM or greater. For MAC OS, the processor requirements are Intel Core 2 or later, and the recommended memory requirement is 2 GB RAM or greater.
• Access to SuniCONNECT can be made using any modern web browser. The current version of Google Chrome is preferred. There are issues with Internet Explorer version 11 and below, and Safari version 7 and below.
• A broadband connection that is 256Kbit/sec or faster is recommended. Dial up connections will be significantly slower and is not recommended.
• Most units in SuniCONNECT require the use of Microsoft Word or compatible software. This is available free for SuniTAFE students. Please visit the Microsoft website or talk to library staff for more information.
• Some courses may require the use of other software. The trainer/assessor will make this known to students and will ensure they can be accessed.
• For technical support with SuniCONNECT, students should contact the Moodle Helpdesk on: 03 5022 3698 or email: moodlehelp@sunitafe.edu.au
• Students can expect a response to queries within two (2) business days.

Learning and assessment

• Various presentation formats are used within SuniCONNECT to optimize the learning experience.
• Examples include guided content, graphics, videos and audios. These formats enable students to experience different types of learning mediums which helps students to acquire and consolidate on their knowledge.
• In addition, discussion forums and webinars are used to enable students to interact with trainers/assessors and other peers. This provides students with the opportunity to ask and answer questions, workshop ideas and hear from other perspectives.
• Learning and assessment tools in the online environment are subject to the same quality reviews as other learning resources and assessment tools.
• Examples of assessments include knowledge questions, projects, presentations, case studies etc. Your trainer/assessor will give you more information regarding assessments specific to your course.
• Practical skills will be assessed through face-to-face observation or video, and must be arranged with the trainer/assessor.
• Assessment tasks will be marked and feedback provided to students within 10 business days from submission of assessments.
• SuniTAFE is committed to meeting the principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) V2.0 by providing online learning and assessment systems and content that is Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust.

Trainers and assessors of online learning

• SuniTAFE is committed to ensuring trainers and assessors of online learning have the required skills to deliver an engaging learning experience. SuniTAFE provides regular professional development for its staff in online learning.