Showcasing online learning and teaching / Centre for Teaching and Learning / Unit / The University of Newcastle, Australia

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"Showcasing Online Learning and Teaching" was held at the Callaghan Campus of the University of Newcastle on the afternoon of Thursday 28 August 2008. The Showcase provided opportunities for staff to demonstrate and discuss innovative ways of engaging students in online learning at the University of Newcastle. The event also featured two guest speakers, Dr Shirley Reushle and Maxine Mitchell.

During the afternoon of the Showcase, the "Learning in the online environment" resource was launched. This web-based resource has been created by the CTL's Educational Resources Support and Development team to support commencing students at the University of Newcastle. The resource prepares students to become effective learners in the online environment.

Keynote speaker:

Dr Shirley Reushle, from the University of Southern Queensland, was a guest speaker at the Showcase. Dr Reushle has a strong reputation for her extensive experience and research in designing and facilitating online and flexible programs. During her presentation at the Showcase, Dr Reushle provided an account of how online environments can provide students with opportunities for rich and engaging learning experiences. Accompanied by one of her current students, Maxine Mitchell from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Shirley highlighted the value of student input to the design and evaluation of an online course. Together, Maxine and Shirley described an effective framework for designing higher education e-learning environments in which connectivity, humanness and empathy (the "CHE factor) featured strongly. Shirley and Maxine provided the educator's and the student's perspective on online learning and teaching in a university context.
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Showcase features:

During the afternoon, 17 academic teaching staff from Callaghan, Central Coast and Port Macquarie gave informal presentations about current online learning and teaching contexts at the University. Their presentations included online learning and teaching from undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including some of the following: Bachelor of Science, Graduate Certificate in Digital Media, Master of Aviation Management, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) Master of Information Technology, and Bachelor of Construction Management. The presentations demonstrated how these courses addressed online learning issues such as online marking and assessment, reflective practice, integrated methods of delivery, and design of engaging activities to facilitate the learning of core content. Presenters at the Showcase demonstrated diverse approaches to online learning, some of which incorporated online collaboration, the use of audio and video files, using Second Life as a way to explore course content, using self-assessment as a strategy to address academic integrity issues and contracted learning in an online environment. All presenters focused on how to create meaningful and effective online learning experiences for students at the University of Newcastle.
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Congratulations to Bill Gladstone and Anne Sullivan for each winning a $50 voucher for a meal at the Syracusa Function Room.

Testimonials:

"I really liked the opportunity to ask questions from the showcase exhibitors. I also really enjoyed Shirley Reushle and Maxine’s talk on their experiences as facilitator and learner in the online environment."

"Many ideas about expanding range of assessment options as well as how to integrate teaching over multiple campuses which is new for me. Faster online assessment which can provide more detailed feedback."

"It applies to all kinds of disciplines. This is a surprise!"