Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive to a range of new teaching strategies that build on UNE's heritage of online learning. Moving swiftly to enhance distance delivery during this tumultuous year, creative UNE staff have developed new online platforms for laboratory experiments, field excursions, intensive schools and even practicals.
"While other universities were scrambling to get online, we have had the opportunity to take online teaching and learning further than ever before, and in record time," says Mitch Parkes, Program Director Academic Development. "UNE has actually improved learning experiences for students during COVID by taking full advantage of technology and focusing on their needs. It has resulted in a more engaging, richer experience that enables our students to interact with their course content at the time and place of their choosing in unique ways."
New teaching methods, some of them world-firsts, include:
- the use of three-dimensional imaging software in archaeology workshops, to enable students to study and identify human and animal bones virtually. Without physically handling (or destroying) a single bone, they are developing basic forensic skills;
- virtual field trips that provide a student's-eye view, complete with lecturer humour and conversation. Whether on UNE's Kirby SMART Farm studying soil, crop and grazing management or conducting animal autopsies in the laboratory, students are getting up-close and personal with subject matter;
- exploration of a simulated island - known as Australis 4 Learning, UNE's Second Life space - where students (particularly those training to become teachers) can go on virtual tours and excursions, and role-play activities in a school classroom or playground; and
- online on-demand exams, supported by a progression pipeline, which are enabling accounting students to accelerate their learning.
New ways to more fairly assess group assignments, deliver customised career support and provide timely feedback on tasks are also now complementing the interactive tools. And UNE staff are reporting improved student engagement, satisfaction and results that are combining to improve the student online learning experience.
Steve Warburton, Director of Learning and Teaching Transformation, said the innovations do more than overcome the tyrannies of geographical and social distance. "More engaged and satisfied students ultimately mean better learning outcomes and job readiness," he said. "We will continue to use many of these new techniques moving forward to ensure the richest experiences for even our face-to-face students."
