Reflecting the University's commitment to co-creation in learning and teaching, and to support academic staff in increasing and optimising their usage of the University's Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS), The University of Adelaide in 2014 introduced MyUni Assist. MyUni Assist is an initiative that employs and trains current students as Instructors in Blackboard so that they are able to provide one-to-one, on-site assistance to academics using the LMS. This has redefined the way that staff and students collaborate at the University in the areas of e-learning and learning/teaching enhancement, and it has produced a number of benefits for staff, students, and the wider University. Based on impact evaluation of the MyUni Assist experience, the session will include presentations from staff and students involved in the project and will offer an opportunity for discussion about: The strategic context and purposes of the initiative; Implementation practices and experiences, including challenges andhow they have been addressed; Expected and unexpected benefits obtained by staff, students and the broader institution, including in relation to student produced learning design for Blackboard and, Ideas for expanding MyUni Assist in the future. Delivered at Innovate and Educate: Teaching and Learning Conference by Blackboard. 24 -27 August 2015 in Adelaide, Australia.

1. Redefining Staff and Student Collaboration
in Increasing MyUni Usage at The
University of Adelaide
Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
The University of Adelaide

2. Who we are…
Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic)
• Professor Philippa Levy, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning)
• Anna Dearman, Senior Projects Coordinator (Student Experience)
• Nicholas Banks, MyUni Assist Ambassador
• Emma-Louise Barley, MyUni Assist Ambassador
• Jonathan James, MyUni Assist Ambassador
• Lauren Slinger, MyUni Assist Ambassador
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3. MyUni Assist
• Strategic context and purpose
• Staff development
• Student workshops and drop-in sessions
• Students as course designers
• Future direction 2016 onwards
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4. Strategic Context and Purpose
• Beacon of Enlightenment
• Co-creation in learning and teaching
• The need to support staff development
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5. Staff Development
• At-elbow support for academic and professional staff
• Faculty ‘MyUni Blitz’ sessions
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6. Appointments in 2015
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7. Appointments in 2015
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8. What have people wanted assistance with in 2015?
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9. Performance 2015
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10. Staff Feedback 2015
• Feedback – response rate of 38%
• Feedback has been 100% positive
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1 = Terrible
7 = Excellent

11. Student Support
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• https://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/myuniassist/

12. Student Workshops and Drop-in Sessions
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13. Student Feedback
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Feedback from students on
the student workshops:
• Very useful especially to
mature age students who
struggle with technology. It
would be great if they
could be extended past the
6 weeks
• The guy Jae helping me was
really helpful and friendly!
Made me feel better about
myself.
• As a mature age beginner
I'm very grateful for these
course and all the help I
can get!

14. Students as Ambassadors and Partners
• Why students?
• Non-traditional
• Pro-active
• Innovative
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15. Students as Course Designers
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16. Examples from the Student Perspective – Week 5
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17. Examples from the Student Perspective
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18. Benefits for Student Ambassadors
• Employment opportunity
• Further opportunities (e.g. course migration, MyUni Support,
data entry, LMS review)
• Freedom to instigate and undertake projects contributing to
student and staff development
• Collaboration directly with staff
• Working with and supporting our peers
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19. Benefits for Staff
• A face-to-face MyUni support service
• A direct student perspective on course layout and structure
• Student-produced learning design
• Ability to collaborate directly with students
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20. Benefits for the University
• Increased staff development
• A pool of fresh, vibrant young employees
• Constant feedback from current students
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21. Future Direction 2016 Onwards
• Possibly expanding scope of service
• Mainstreaming with existing MyUni Support
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22. Questions?
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