PASS Online sessions are a new and exciting initiative, making PASS accessible to off-campus students and those who may simply find it more convenient to participate online. PASS Online sessions are conducted in Blackboard Collaborate, a web conferencing platform which has been specifically designed to maximise the potential for students to collaborate in varied and meaningful ways. This allows PASS Online to provide an equivalent learning environment to that provided in our on-campus sessions. PASS Online is the same program, just a different platform!
Sessions are designed to maximise students’ understanding of the subject in a casual and relaxed environment. PASS Online sessions utilise a variety of different activities and strategies for exploring the content – allowing students to work together to achieve understandings and create study resources that will help to take them through the unit and beyond.
This semester PASS Online will be available to students studying in BEA140 Quantitative Methods and ESH104 Human Development in Educational Contexts. A guide to accessing and participating in sessions can be found here – it is recommended that all students read this guide prior to their first session to ensure they can participate effectively. Participants don’t need to be computer experts to participate in PASS Online sessions; the PASS Leader will help you develop the technical skills needed to participate at the beginning of the session.
PASS Online session times for Semester 2, 2013 can be accessed by visiting the PASS timetable and clicking on the links provided. We recommend you access the web room 5 minutes early for each session to ensure you’re ready to go! Registering to attend a PASS Online session is not necessary, however each session is limited to 16 participants, so get there early so you don’t miss out!
To view the PASS Online timetable, click here
Accessing a PASS Online session is as simple as following a link! Session times and links are available in the timetable section of this website. For further details and to ensure you can connect, please refer to the PASS Online Student Guide (PDF 621.6KB).
If the system denies you access, it is likely because the session is full. PASS Online sessions are limited to 16 participants to ensure session quality. Try attending an alternative session time, or contact us at Pass.StudentCentre@utas.edu.au to register your interest. if we receive sufficient demand, we will try to accommodate an additional session time. Alternatively, please check the PASS Online Student Guide (PDF 621.6KB) to make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
Your PASS Online Leader will be able to see if you're having technical difficulties, and will send you a private message to try to help you out. Occasionally, your connection may be affected by extreme weather conditions, in this case please try to persevere until it passes.
All you need in order to participate is a headset (microphone and speakers), which can be purchased inexpensively at office supply and technology stores. Many phones come with headsets that will suffice. Java version 1.5 or higher is also required, and can be downloaded for free from http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp.
Definitely not! Your PASS Leader will show you around the platform and give you instructions on how to use the online tools when you need them.
No, as you are not able to utilise many of the online features via a tablet.
No, you can participate at home in your pyjamas and no one will know.
PASS Online sessions are conducted in Blackboard Collaborate, a synchronous web conferencing platform which features tools such as breakout rooms, an interactive whiteboard, polling, and much more.
The following image depicts the Blackboard Collaborate platform, where PASS Online sessions are held.
