Overview

Base Units in Paradigm provide the structure in creating scheduled unit enrolments, adding assessments, and all other related data in the system. This knowledge article will give you all the key fields required to successfully create a base unit in Paradigm – and at the same time meeting the government reporting requirements, and the workflows on some of the base units maintenance in your business or institution (search, create/add, add attachments, edit, delete, as well as adding assessments to base units).

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Overview

Base Units in Paradigm provide the structure in creating scheduled unit enrolments, adding assessments, and all other related data in the system. This knowledge article will give you all the key fields required to successfully create a base unit in Paradigm – and at the same time meeting the government reporting requirements, and the workflows on some of the base units maintenance in your business or institution (search, create/add, add attachments, edit, delete, as well as adding assessments to base units).

Complexity

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Navigation

Workflow

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Navigation

Workflow

Assumptions

• You have the minimum required level to access the Units tab;

• You understand that making changes within this section has system-wide implications;

• You have an understanding of the Australian Tertiary Education System / VET Sector; and

• You have an understanding of the Units and Courses within your Institution for scheduling and timetabling.

Key Terms and Concepts

Status
colour Green title what is

EFTSL

EFTSL is an acronym of Equivalent Full Time Study Load. EFTSL is a measure used by the Australian Government and institutions to measure the total load consumed by a student. EFTSL is a measurement of how much a unit is worth within a normal full-time study year.

Status
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Calculate an EFTSL

To calculate a study load (EFTSL) for a single unit, take the number of credit points for one year of full time load, and divide it by the number of credit points for the unit. For example, if the one year load is worth 96 and a single unit is worth 12 credit points, the EFTSL is 0.125 which represents 96 divided by 12, or as a fraction, one-eighth.

This is based on a normal study year being comprised of two semesters, meaning the sum of EFTSL for all units within each semester is 0.5 in total. The student may study 4 units per semester, implying 8 units for the year, meaning that a single unit is now worth 0.125 EFTSL. 

If your institution works on a trimester structure, then you may end up with an EFTSL count of more than 1. Technically, trimester study mode is overloading above a normal study load. A similar overloading of EFTSL would occur in the event that a student was enrolled in units above the normal level, for example accelerated learning.

Status
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for Searching Units

Field Name

Brief Overview

Unit Code

Institution allocated unique unit code to identify units of study. e.g. ARTS1101

Unit Name

Institution allocated unique unit name to identify unit of study. e.g. Introduction to Modern History

Unit Provider

The provider / Institution the unit will be offered by.

Unit Keywords

Key words / or buzz words that relate to the unit. These can be used when trying to find a unit when you don't know the exact name.

Unit Status

• Active (For Current Units)

• Archived

• Cancelled

• Confirmed

• Unconfirmed

Unit Type

• Tuition Fee

• OSHC Fee

• Course Fee

• Other Fee

Order by

• Unit Codes

• Unit Names

• Provider Id

• Status Id

• Last modified Date

• Unit Id

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Status
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for Adding New Units

*Denotes fields that are required to create a base unit

#Denotes fields that are required for AVETMISS reporting

Field Name

Brief Overview

Edit Unit Details Section

Unit Id* E354

Internal system allocated Id code (no data entry required).

Parent Unit Id

Internal system allocated Id code (no data entry required).

Unit Code*

Institution allocated unique Unit Id code. e.g. ARTS1101

Provider Other Unit Id*

Institution allocated unique Unit Id code.

Name*

Full accredited name of the unit - this will appear on the student's transcript.

e.g. Introduction to Modern History

Unit Category

• Undergraduate

• Postgraduate

• Non-Award

• Secondary

• VET

Unit Group

• Undergraduate

• Postgraduate

• Non-Award

• Secondary

• VET

Unit Sub-Group

• Level 0

• … through …

• Level 6

Unit Provider

If the provider has multiple Institutions / Campuses within the same system, this can identify which one is running this instance of the unit.

Credit Points / Statement*

The number of credit points the student will receive towards their course of study upon successful completion of this unit of study. e.g. 6.0

Unit Type*

Academic outcome related unit type:

• Tuition - this informs the system to treat each unit enrolment from both academic and financial perspectives

The other unit type options are used by providers who wish to capture a recurring fee that is not directly related to academic outcomes:

• OSHC Fee - Overseas Health cover Fee

• Course Fee

• Other Fee (accommodation/home-stay fees)

Unit Purpose and Aims

A description of the Unit purpose and aims. Students can be granted access to this information in order to choose whether to study this unit.

Prerequisites

A list of any units that are required to be completed PRIOR to attempting this unit of study.

Corequisites

A list of any units that are required to be completed CONCURRENTLY with this unit of study.

Learning Outcomes

A detailed list of the learning outcomes as per the TESQA accredited regulations for this unit of study.

Learning Outcomes - Able to:

A more human readable version of the field above.

Learning Outcomes - Be in a position to

What the student will able able to do upon completion of this unit of study.

Requirements

An overview of what is required of the student to be able to complete this unit.

Assessments

A list of the assessments required to be successfully completed to receive a passing grade for this unit of study.

Target Audience

Who is this unit of study aimed toward?

Bibliography

A list of required and suggested readings for this unit of study.

Unit Exclusions

If a student attempts this unit of study are there any units that they are prohibited from studying. Alternatively if a student has completed another unit of study that prohibits them from studying this unit.

Unit Content

Topics or areas covered in this unit of study.

Keywords

Buzz words or key words, used in the search section for staff to find this unit when the exact title of this unit is not known.

Method of delivery*

Online, On Campus, Intensive, Printed

Approval required

Does the Head of School or Senior Academic need to approve a students enrolment in this unit of study?

Unit Status*

Active, Archived, Cancelled, Confirmed, Unconfirmed

Nominal Hours#

The nationally agreed minimum hours for nationally recognised training packages - for a list of units click here.

Scheduled Hours#

The number of hours the institution / provider has scheduled to deliver this units / competency.

Vet Flag#

Is the focus of this unit of Study Vocational?

VET in Schools#

Is this unit a part of the National VET in schools program?

Delivery Mode Identifier#

How is the content for this unit intended to be delivered i.e.. the mode of delivery?

Appear on transcript

Should this unit of study appear on the student's transcript?

GST Percentage

What is the GST charge for this unit of Study?

Do not include the percentage symbol when entering this data - e.g. 10.0

Unit Level

What level of study is the unit of study AQF levels 5 is diploma level? e.g. 5.0

AQF Level

The level of study for this unit of study as defined by the Australian Quality Framework. e.g. AQF levels 5 is diploma level 5.0

Weighting Level

Year Level

The minimum year level of the course of study that a student must have achieved before attempting this unit.

Exclude Sessions on Course Plan

Prevent sessions for this unit from appearing as available options on the course plan.

School

The school or department that this unit of study belongs to. e.g. Humanities

Invoice Fee Code

The department / school that the fees for this unit will be directed. e.g. HUMS

Accreditation Date

The date this unit was accredited. e.g. 01/01/2021

Accreditation Due Date

When is this unit due for reaccreditation? / When does accreditation expire?

e.g. 31/12/2025

Custom Unit Grade Calculation

SMS Entity id

Unit SMS Entity type

Remote Unit SMS Entity Id

Delivery Mode

• External

• Internal

• Workplace

• Combination

Read Only

Edit HEIMS Details Section

TCSI Unique identifier

TCSI unique id for this unit.

HEIMS Discipline E464

A code which uniquely identifies the discipline to which a unit of study is classified by the provider.

HEIMS Work Experience Indicator* E337

An indicator whether a unit of study consists wholly of work experience in the industry.

Summer and Winter School Code

A code that describes whether the unit must be completed during a specified season, or within two named month boundary dates.

Unit of Study Year Long indicator

An indicator that states whether the unit runs for a full year.

EFSTL Load (Ugrad)* E339

Equivalent Full Time Study Load - What fraction of 1 does this unit represent within the Course of study, at a full time load for an Undergraduate Student?

EFSTL Load (PGrad)* E339

Equivalent Full Time Study Load - What fraction of 1 does this unit represent within the Course of study, at a full time load for a Postgraduate Student?

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Status
colour Blue title Key FIELDS

Schedule Assessments

Field Name

Required Fields

Overview

Sample Data

Field Name

Required Fields

Overview

Sample Data

Code ID

X

Assessment Name

X

The name of the assignment or work required. You can be specific here to make entering grades easier, and that the correct marks can be entered against the correct assessment at a later time.

Assessment 1 - Interpretive Dance Essay

Assessment Type

X

What type of work is required for this assessment?

• Assignment

• Attendance

• Audition

• Class Work

• Essay

• Examination

• Project

• Test

• Quiz

• Book Report

• Journal

• Major Assessment

• Minor Assessment

Description

A description of the required work.

A 1000 word Essay on the origins of interpretive dance and the concept of communication in the early 20th Century

Maximum Mark

X

What is the Maximum Mark available for this assignment?

25

Minimum Mark

X

What is the Minimum Mark required to pass this assignment?

12.5

Weighting

X

What is the weighting of this assignment within the whole unit?

25

Start Week

What week is the work undertaken in the unit?

End Week

What is the last week that the work can be submitted?

Sequence Number

Enforce Minimum Mark

Minimum Mark fail grade

Delivery Mode identifier

VET - Providers. What is the delivery method of this unit and assignment?

• Classroom

• Electronic

• Employment Based

• Not Applicable - Recognition of Prior learning

• Other (none of the above e.g. Print based)

Scheduled Hours

What are the schedule number of delivery or training hours required to complete this assessment?

25

Vet in Schools

Is this a VET in schools based unit?

• A VET in Schools Program

• Not a  VET in Schools Program

AVET126

• Combination of All Modes

• Combination of External and Workplace-based

• Combination of Internal and External

• Combination Internal and Workplace-based

• Do not report

• External Delivery

• Internal Delivery

• Not Applicable

• Workplace-based delivery

Assessment Status

What is the status of this assessment?

• Active

• Archived

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Before a student can be enrolled into a Unit:

• The unit / subject must have already been created as a Base Unit

• The Base Unit must then be scheduled, by creating a scheduled unit record, giving it a specific time period for delivery, a census date, and a venue

• Once these have be done, the student can be enrolled in the Scheduled Unit.

Some of the fields within the Add Unit section are required by either or both sections of Government reporting (HEIMS and AVETMISS). 

The following table shows the minimum system required fields to create a viable / functioning base unit record.

Status
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Fields to Create a Viable Base Unit Record

Minimum Required Fields

Sample Data

Unit ID

1001(Unique ID Assigned by the System)

Unit code

ICT201

Name

Introduction to Information Systems

Unit provider

Paradigm College

Unit type

Tuition

Method of delivery

On Campus

Unit status

Active

EFTSL Load (UGrad) &/or (PGrad)

0.125

However, more information is often required for Government reporting compliance.

Optional Fields

Overview

Credit Points

For the unit result to contribute toward the student final course result total the unit will require a credit point statement. This is the number of points that the unit will contribute to the overall course total.

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Status
colour Red title heims required

HEIMS Reporting Fields

• HEIMS fields are required for HEIMS courses

• HEIMS Discipline: A code that uniquely identifies the discipline to which a unit of study is classified by the Higher Education Provider/Vet provider. These codes are taken from the HEIMS Discipline code document. This document is updated annually (normally available in September for the following year) and can be found on the HEIMS website.

• HEIMS Work Experience Indicator: An indicator whether a unit of study consists wholly of work experience in the industry

Code

Meaning

0

Student is not undertaking work experience in industry or student is undertaking work experience in industry where learning and performance is directed by the provider

1

Student is undertaking work experience in industry where learning and performance is not directed by the provider, but support is received from the provider

2

Student is undertaking work experience in industry where learning and performance is not directed by, and support is not received from, the provider

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Status
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Implications

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Field

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Meaning

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Nominal Hours

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The nationally agreed number of hours that the unit of study requires to be completed. These hours are reviewed and updated annually and are available from the NCVER website

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Scheduled Hours

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The number of hours the provider has allocated to teach the unit of study

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VET Flag

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Is the unit a part of VET Course or is the unit considered Vocational Training? Answer yes or no

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VET in Schools

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Is this unit a part of the National VET in Schools Program? Answer yes or no

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Implications

NOTE: Some of the fields within the Add Unit section are required by either or both sections of Government reporting (HEIMS and AVETMISS). 

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Workflow

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Workflow

Expand
title 1. How to Search for a Base Unit
Status colour Yellow title 1. How to Status colour Blue title search for a Base Unit Status colour Green title 1 , Status colour Green title 2 Choose Units > Search menus on the side. This will display a page where you can search for all units saved in the system.   Status colour Green title 3 At the top of the page, you can find the UNIT SEARCH Form section. Enter any combination of Unit Code(s), Unit Name, Unit Provider, Unit Keywords, Unit Status, Order By (Paradigm requires at least one search criteria.).   Status colour Green title 4 After entering the search filters of the base unit that you want to search, click the SEARCH UNIT button.   Image Added Status colour Green title 5 After clicking the SEARCH UNIT button, a list of all the units that meet your searched criteria will be displayed below the UNIT SEARCH Form section. You can filter more the returned options by typing the name of the unit into the search box. The list of returned results will reduce to match the criteria   Status colour Green title 6 Once you’ve found your base unit, click the blue hyperlink of the Unit Id. This will open the Edit Details screen of the base unit that you’ve selected. Image Added back to top

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title 2. How to Create / Add a New Base Unit (Higher Education)
Status colour Yellow title 1 2. How to Status colour Green title create or Status colour Blue Green title search add for a New Base Unit Click on the Search option with the side menu Enter any combination of Unit Code, Unit Name, Unit Provider (Paradigm requires at least one search criteria) Click on the Search Unit button This will show a list of units that meet the searched criteria To filter the list of units, in the search box above the list of units, start typing the unit name. When you see the record for the unit you are looking for, click on the unit id code, highlighted in blue in the left column of that row. The Base Unit has now been loaded
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title 2. How to Create / Add a New Base Unit (Higher Education)
Status colour Yellow title 2. How to Status colour Green title create / add a New Base Unit (Higher Education) Note Be advised These instructions indicate the minimum required fields to create a system viable and compliant Government reportable Higher Education unit. Click on the Units tab in the side menu Click on the Unit Details option in the side menu Click on the Add new option in the Side menu Enter the Unit Code Enter the Unit Name Select the HEIMS Discipline code from the drop down box Select the Unit Provider Select the Unit Type (e.g. Tuition for an academic unit) - Refer to the above key fields to understand each unit type. Enter the number of credit points to be granted upon successful completion of this unit of study Select the Method of Delivery Select the HEIMS work experience indicator Enter the EFTSL Load (UGrad) Enter the EFTSL Load (PGrad) Select the Unit Status Click on the Save Unit button (Higher Education) Note BE ADVISED: These instructions indicate the minimum required fields to create a system viable and compliant Government reportable Higher Education unit. Status colour Green title 1 , Status colour Green title 2 , Status colour Green title 3 Choose Units > Unit Details > Add New menus on the side. This will display a page where you can add a new base unit to the system. Status colour Green title 4 In the EDIT UNIT DETAILS Form section, start filling out all the required information needed to create a base unit. You can refer to the table above Status colour Blue title key fields for Adding New Units under the Key Terms and Concepts for a description of each field. Alternatively, refer to the following screenshot (fields highlighted in red) of all the minimum required fields for Higher Education Provider: Under the EDIT UNIT DETAILS Form, enter the following information. Image Added Scroll down, and look for these other two required fields. Image Added Below the EDIT UNIT DETAILS Form, you will find the EDIT HEIMS DETAILS Form, fill out the following required information (fields highlighted in red). Image Added Status colour Green title 5 After filling out all the minimum required information and all the other available information you have for this unit, review all the data being entered – check them against your business or institution requirements and to the government reporting mandate, and then click the SAVE UNIT button. back to top

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title 7. How to Add Assessments to Base Units
Status colour Yellow title 7. How to Status colour Green title Add Assessments to Base Units Status colour Green title 1 , Status colour Green title 2 , Status colour Green title 3 Choose Units > Unit Details > Edit Details menus on the side. This will display a page where you can search for units and edit the unit details. Status colour Green title 4 At the top of the page, you can find the UNIT SEARCH Form section. Enter any combination of Unit Code(s), Unit Name, Unit Provider, Unit Keywords, Unit Status, Order By (Paradigm requires at least one search criteria.). Status colour Green title 5 After entering the search filters of the base unit that you want to add an assessment to, click the SEARCH UNIT button. Status colour Green title 6 After clicking the SEARCH UNIT button, a list of all the units that meet your searched criteria will be displayed below the UNIT SEARCH Form section. You can filter more the returned options by typing the name of the unit into the search box. The list of returned results will reduce to match the criteria Status colour Green title 7 Once you’ve found your base unit, click the blue hyperlink of the Unit Id. This will open the Edit Details screen of the base unit that you’ve selected. Status colour Green title 8 With the Edit Unit Details screen open, scroll down and look for the ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED WITH UNIT Form section, click the NEW ASSESSMENT button to add your assessment to the base unit. Status colour Green title 9 In the ASSESSMENT DETAILS Form section, fill out all the required details for the new assessment to be successfully added to the base unit. Refer to the Status colour Blue title key Fields Schedule Assessments table above under the Key Terms and Concepts for the description of each field. Alternatively, refer to the colour coded form fields below: red are the system required fields for an assessment to be successfully added, blue are the optional fields, green are for VET Providers required fields. Status colour Green title 10 After filling out all the required information of the new assessment, click the SAVE ASSESSMENT button. Info INFO: After clicking the SAVE ASSESSMENT button, a SUCCESS message will appear on top of the screen (see below screenshot), and the new assessment can now be seen in the ASSESSMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH UNIT Form section. NOTE: Click the NEW ASSESSMENT button again to add more assessments required for this unit of study, ensuring that the sum of all weightings across all of the assessment pieces adds up to 100%. back to top

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title 8. How to Add Assessment to Scheduled Units From a Base Unit
Status colour Yellow title 8. How to Status colour Green title Add Assessment to a Scheduled Units from a Base Unit Status colour Green title 1 , Status colour Green title 2 , Status colour Green title 3 Choose Units > Unit Details > Show Scheduled Units menus on the side. This will display a page where you can search for scheduled units in the system.   Status colour Green title 4 At the top of the page, you can find the SCHEDULED UNIT SEARCH Form section. Enter any combination of Scheduled Unit ID, Unit Code(s), Scheduled Unit Name, Home Institution, Unit Location, Start and End Date, Order By (Paradigm requires at least one search criteria.).   Status colour Green title 5 After entering the search filters of the scheduled unit that you want to add an assessment to, click the SEARCH SCHEDULED UNIT button.     Status colour Green title 6 After clicking the SEARCH SCHEDULED UNIT button, a list of all the scheduled units that meet your searched criteria will be displayed below the SCHEDULED UNIT SEARCH Form section. You can filter more the returned options by typing any keywords of the scheduled unit that you are trying to search into the search box. The list of returned results will reduce to match the criteria   Status colour Green title 7 Once you’ve found your scheduled unit, click the blue hyperlink of the Scheduled Unit Id. This will open the Edit Details screen of the scheduled unit that you’ve selected.     Status colour Green title 8 In the Edit Scheduled Unit Page, scroll down and look for the ASSESSMENTS Form section. Click the ADD SCHEDULED ASSESSMENT FROM ASSESSMENTS button.     Info INFO: After clicking the button, all the assessments will be added to the scheduled unit that you’ve selected irrespective of the delivery method. back to top

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title 9. How to Add Assessment to Scheduled Units from a Base Unit by Delivery Method
Status colour Yellow title 9. How to Status colour Green title Add Assessment to a Scheduled Units from a Base Unit by Delivery Method   Status colour Green title 1 , Status colour Green title 2 , Status colour Green title 3 Choose Units > Unit Details > Show Scheduled Units menus on the side. This will display a page where you can search for scheduled units in the system.   Status colour Green title 4 At the top of the page, you can find the SCHEDULED UNIT SEARCH Form section. Enter any combination of Scheduled Unit ID, Unit Code(s), Scheduled Unit Name, Home Institution, Unit Location, Start and End Date, Order By (Paradigm requires at least one search criteria.).   Status colour Green title 5 After entering the search filters of the scheduled unit that you want to add an assessment to, click the SEARCH SCHEDULED UNIT button.     Status colour Green title 6 After clicking the SEARCH SCHEDULED UNIT button, a list of all the scheduled units that meet your searched criteria will be displayed below the SCHEDULED UNIT SEARCH Form section. You can filter more the returned options by typing any keywords of the scheduled unit that you are trying to search into the search box. The list of returned results will reduce to match the criteria   Status colour Green title 7 Once you’ve found your scheduled unit, click the blue hyperlink of the Scheduled Unit Id. This will open the Edit Details screen of the scheduled unit that you’ve selected.     Status colour Green title 8 In the Edit Scheduled Unit Page, scroll down and look for the ASSESSMENTS Form section. Click the ADD SCHEDULED ASSESSMENT FOR DELIVERY MODE button.     Info INFO: Assessments designated Online will be added to an Online Scheduled Unit. Assessments designated On Campus will be added to an On Campus Scheduled Unit. back to top

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