Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The following list of questions and answers are in two parts.
- The first part will be of most interest to Students.
- The second part will be most helpful to Teachers.
If you have additional questions about UNE-Mentor, please email us at unementor@une.edu.au
For Students
The On-Campus Workshop
What happens at the on-campus workshop?
In small groups, run by the mentors, students workshop their individual Major Works, or proposals. Students are assigned to mentors and to groups that best suit their kind of project (for example, we'll try to put scriptwriters together). We also try to put students from different schools in each group.
Do I have to go to the workshop?
In a word-yes. The on-campus workshop is an integral part of the program. It is where you meet the mentors, and fellow participants face to face, and work in small groups on your own project. And it's fun!
What happens if I am unwell, or an emergency prevents me attending the workshop or posting to the discussion forum?
If unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or an emergency, prevent you from taking adequate part in UNE Mentor, you need to let your teacher or principal know, and contact the Head of the School of Arts, to negotiate a way to make up work. In late April / early May, we will be running at least two on-campus workshops, at different times, to ensure that participants do not have clashes with other commitments.
How much work should I have done on my Major Work before the on-campus workshop?
You will need to bring with you at least either a draft of your Major Work, or an extract from it, or a substantial proposal. Obviously, the more you manage to bring with you, the more you will have to discuss in the workshop. A week before the workshop, we ask that you send us either a draft or a proposal in electronic form. That way, we can read your work, and assign you to the workshop that will be most useful for you. We are not here to help you start - we are here to help you develop and polish your Major Work.
The Discussion Forum
How often do I need to post to the discussion forum?
There is no maximum amount that you need to post to the discussion forum - the more you use it, the better. However, you will find that you will not be getting the most out of the program if you don't log in, and post, at least once a week. Keep in mind that for you to be considered to have successfully completed the program, you must be an active participant.
What does 'active participant' mean?
Active participation in UNE Mentor means that you (a) attend a workshop day; and (b) post regularly to the forum on Major Work-related topics. Regular participation will be calculated at approximately one posting per week or 20+ postings during the year.
What are the benefits of posting regularly to the discussion forum?
Apart from the obvious, that you will be seen to be taking part, making the effort to post regularly to the forum will only help you. It will help you to articulate your concerns about your project, and to establish new directions for your work. It will help you in your general skills in problem solving, and writing in a semi-public arena. It will help you to think about your persona as a writer, and the way that you express yourself. And it will help you be a fully-fledged member of the group. Checking the forum regularly will also ensure that you aren't swamped with hundreds of postings at a time, and will make the experience more manageable.
How public is the forum?
The forum is not public at all. Only the participating students, mentors, and administrators of UNE Mentor have access to it. Only the students and mentors post to the forum. We keep the forum private so that students can feel secure discussing their writing concerns.
Who reads my postings?
The mentors read all students' postings, and respond to those that raise issues, or ask questions. Students are also encouraged to read and respond to each others' questions.
Will my high school teacher read the discussion forum?
In theory, teachers have guest access to the forum, and may wish to read postings to gain a sense of what happens in the program. However, in practice, most high school teachers are very busy, and in the past, they have preferred to remain at a distance from the discussion. Indeed, they look on the program as an opportunity for students to act independently, without teachers looking over their shoulders. However, it is important to be aware that teachers will be contacted if the discussion becomes inappropriate.
What should I write in my postings?
Initially, each student will be asked to write a brief message describing who he or she is, and describing the project he or she is working on. These messages will be kept in a separate file, so mentors can check on them for context later on. As the year progresses, students should write in with queries about issues they are encountering in their writing. Some suggested issues are:
- How do I develop characters?
- I'm writing about my home town, how do I keep things confidential?
- How do I keep characters consistent?
- How do I shape the plot?
- How do I use dialogue to advance the plot?
- How do I use narrative to depict the setting?
Do I need to sound like an academic to post to the forum?
You don't need to sound like an academic to post to this list. We want you to be able to ask us questions in your normal voice. Having said that, however, we do hope that you will write clearly, and concisely, so that everyone can understand what you're talking about.
What is on the UNE Mentor site?
The main focus of the site is the discussion forum, of course. But we've also set up links to other useful sites, such as to the New South Wales Board of Education official website, which gives you information about important dates, support materials, syllabi, and the expectations of the HSC. We've also provided you with links to useful literary reference sites online, to information about grammar, syntax, and writing styles, and to writers' sites in Australia.
My Major Work isn't written, I'm making a video or giving a speech. How will UNE Mentor cater to my needs?
Because the School of Arts is an interdisciplinary school, as opposed to being a traditional English Department, we are strongly placed to assist students working in mixed media, non-written formats, in video, or communications-oriented projects. The mentors are experienced in writing at university level, and writing professionally. Some have expertise in other areas, such as in Australian film, in directing theatre performances, and in media monitoring.
For Teachers
What are my responsibilities as a teacher?
It is the responsibility of participating high schools’ principals and/or English teachers to ensure students' attendance at the on-campus workshops, and the responsibility of teachers to ensure students' active participation in the discussion forum, in order to take full advantage of the mentoring process.
Are teachers given access to UNE-Mentor?
Yes. Teachers are given a password, and guest access to the discussion forum.
Do I need to post to the discussion forum?
No. In fact, we would prefer you didn't. UNE Mentor is meant to be a supplement to what you do in the classroom, not to be extra work for you. UNE Mentor is also meant to offer a place where students act independently, without too much reference to their classroom selves. You are welcome, however, to read the postings occasionally.
Do I need to read the discussion forum?
Not if you don't want to. However, you may be interested to see how your students perform in an independent learning situation.
Do I need to monitor my students' performance?
Not really. But if a student is failing to post regularly, or is acting inappropriately in some way, UNE Mentor reserves the right to contact you and ask you to step in.
How public is the forum?
The forum is private, for those with username and password access only-i.e. mentors, participating students, teachers, and a few administrative staff at UNE. If you have other questions about UNE Mentor, please don't hesitate to ask us. Click on the link below to send us a message. unementor@une.edu.au