Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Academic Integrity Module?
The academic Integrity module is a University wide online test that all new or transferring students are required to complete. It is designed to assist students to understand their responsibilities in relation to academic integrity, and to ensure they have a basic knowledge of the relevant academic integrity policies and procedures within the University. Students who need to complete the University AIM will receive an email advising them of this requirement.
How does the Academic Integrity Module work?
The Academic Integrity Module is an online test in Blackboard. Each new or transferring student is automatically enrolled in this Blackboard module and must correctly answer 16 randomly generated questions to pass the module. Students may repeat the module any number of times. Successful completion is automatically stored against their student record in NUSTAR. If a student fails to complete the module within their first term of enrolment, the student will be prevented from re-enrolling, viewing their exam results or transcript, or graduating, until they successfully complete the module.
Why are we doing this?
The University Academic Integrity Module is being introduced to ensure that:
- All students have a sound and consistent knowledge of Academic Integrity concepts.
- All students have a consistent experience with regards to completion of the module and penalties applied for non-completion.
- Students are only required to successfully complete the University Academic Integrity Module once during their career at the University.
What topics does the University Academic Integrity Module cover?
The Academic Integrity Module covers the following topics:
- Group Work, Collaboration and Sharing
- Student Responsibilities
- Referencing ad Plagiarism
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Social Media and Integrity
The questions that students are required to answer are derived from the information found in the following document: Academic Integrity Module Description
Which students are required to complete the University Academic Integrity Module?
Students who need to complete the University AIM will receive an email advising them of this requirement. All students commencing a new Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research or Non-award program from 2013 will receive this email. This includes existing UoN students that have transferred to a new program from 2013. Existing students who are continuing in a program are not required to complete the Academic Integrity Module and will not receive an email. ELICOS and Enabling students are not required to complete the Academic Integrity Module until they enrol in an Undergraduate program.
Can students who don’t receive an email complete the University Academic Integrity Module?
Yes. All students are able to complete the University Academic Integrity Module located in Blackboard. All students have a message in Blackboard that advises them that they have either successfully completed or have not completed the University Academic Integrity Module. Successful completion will be recorded against the student’s record.
How do students access the University Academic Integrity Module?
The University Academic Integrity Module is available via a course site in Blackboard. To access the University Academic Integrity Module, log in to Blackboard and select the ‘Academic Integrity Module’ tab. Click on the ‘UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE’ link and follow the prompts.
How long will the University Academic Integrity Module take to complete?
It will take about 30 mins to complete an attempt of the module. This includes reading the relevant information and answering the questions. It does not include reading other policies or webpages.
How many questions do students need to answer correctly to successfully complete the University Academic Integrity Module?
Students are required to answer 100% of questions correctly to pass the University Academic Integrity Module.
How many times can students repeat the University Academic Integrity Module?
Students can repeat the University Academic Integrity Module as many times as required. Each time they restart the module, the questions may be different as they are randomly selected from a larger pool of questions.
When do students need to complete the University Academic Integrity Module by?
Students will need to complete the University Academic Integrity Module before the end of their first term of study. The required completion dates for 2013 are listed below:
Term |
AIM Due Date |
|---|---|
Trimester 1 - 2013 |
23/05/2013 |
Trimester 2 - 2013 |
5/09/2013 |
Trimester 3 - 2013 |
18/12/2013 |
Trimester 1 - 2013 (Singapore) |
14/05/2013 |
Trimester 2 - 2013 (Singapore) |
10/09/2013 |
Trimester 3 - 2013 (Singapore) |
21/01/2014 |
Semester 1 - 2013 |
11/07/2013 |
Semester 2 - 2013 |
15/12/2013 |
Block 2 - 2013 |
14/05/2013 |
Block 3 - 2013 |
16/07/2013 |
Block 4 - 2013 |
10/09/2013 |
Block 5 - 2013 |
12/11/2013 |
Block 6 - 2013 |
21/01/2014 |
Research Higher Degree students are required to complete the University Academic Integrity Module within 6 months of commencement.
What happens if a student does not complete the University Academic Integrity Module by the due date?
If a student does not complete the University Academic Integrity Module by the due date, a ‘hold’ will be applied to their student record that will prevent the following actions:
- re-enrolment
- viewing of exam results
- viewing of transcripts
- graduation
If a student successfully completes the University Academic Integrity Module after the due date, how long will it take before the penalties are removed?
The penalties will be lifted within 2 hours of successful completion of the University Academic Integrity Module.
Does a student need to complete the University Academic Integrity Module during their first term if they defer or take leave of absence?
No. Students are required to complete the University Academic Integrity Module during their first term where they are enrolled in some course load.
Will students need to re-sit the University Academic Integrity Module if they change programs after 2013?
No. Once they have successfully completed the University Academic Integrity Module, it is permanently recorded against their student record. It is not linked to their program of study. They will only ever be required to successfully complete the University Academic Integrity Module once in their time at the University of Newcastle. Please note: Academic Integrity Modules completed prior to 2013 were not recorded in this way, so students who have transferred to a new program for 2013 will be required to take the University AIM.
Will a student ever need to complete more than one Academic Integrity Module?
Some faculties and schools have their own specific Academic Integrity Modules that contain content specific to a discipline or program of study. A student may therefore be required to do the University Academic Integrity module, plus another module specific to their program.
How can I see what my students will see in the University AIM?
You can enrol yourself as a participant of the University AIM site in Blackboard and complete the AIM test as if you were a student. To do this, login to Blackboard and select the 'Previous Sites' tab. In the 'Search Other Sites' field, enter the text 'university academic integrity module' and click on the 'Go' button. The 'UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE' site will appear in the list. Click on the arrow that appears next to ‘AIM.105530’ in the Organisation ID link and select the 'Enrol' option. Click on the 'Submit' button on the Self-Enrolment page. You should see an 'Action Successful' message. Click on the 'OK' button to see the student view of the University AIM site. The University AIM site will also now be available for future access via your 'My Other Sites' list on the 'Current Sites' tab in Blackboard.
How do I find out which of my students have completed the University Academic Integrity Module?
Reporting is available via NUSTAR. It will be possible to Report by Faculty, Program, School, Course, and Student. A user guide of how to use the NUSTAR reports can be found at:
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/systems-and-projects/nustar/user-guides.html
by clicking on the 'Academic Integrity Information' link under 'Campus Community'.
My faculty or school already has an Academic Integrity Module. What should we do?
In the short term you are not required to do anything. However, you may wish to assess whether the content of the University Academic Integrity Module covers the content of your existing module. If it does, you can remove your module as your students will now undertake the University module instead. If your module contains content that is specific to your discipline, you may wish to retain a separate Academic Integrity Module containing the discipline-specific components only. You are free to continue using the arrangements that you currently use to administer and implement these modules. However, it is now possible that your discipline-specific module can be displayed in Blackboard in the new Academic Integrity Module area, and the completion of the module recorded against the student record in NUSTAR. If you wish to explore the option of turning your current Faculty or School AIM into a new Academic Integrity Module Blackboard course site, please contact the Blackboard support team on ext 17101 or email 17101@newcastle.edu.au
Who can I contact if I need more information?
If you require more information about the implementation of the University Academic Integrity Module, please contact:
Keith Foggett
Learning Development Coordinator
Centre for Teaching and Learning
Phone: (02) 49217298
Email: keith.foggett@newcastle.edu.au
If you require more information about Academic Integrity at the University, please contact:
Greg Preston
Student Academic Conduct Officer (SACO) Coordinator
Phone: (02) 49215891
Email: greg.preston@newcastle.edu.au