“Asynchronous" is not a dirty word: Maximising engagement in online learning

A Connections Seminar

Want to engage online students and promote active learning? Don't shoehorn an in-person format, online. 

Online teaching seems to be increasingly viewed as either the online component of hybrid classes or otherwise content being delivered ‘live’ to students through scheduled online lectures and other activities. The notion seems to be this synchronous (live) format is necessary for fostering student engagement. The flip side is that asynchronous online teaching, where content is made available on-demand, is isolating and offers a less optimal learning experience.  

In this Connections Seminar, the presenters will bust this myth and illustrate various strategies of how an online course taught asynchronously not only maximises student engagement and accessibility but can also surpass the learning experience of traditional in-person teaching.  

Associate Professor Terry Ord will present from the perspective of course design and coordination. PhD candidate Nora Campbell will present from her personal experiences as an undergraduate student on what works and what doesn't work in online teaching.  

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About the Speakers

Terry Ord Headshot

Terry Ord is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences. Terry has over a decade of undergraduate teaching experience and has designed and taught both in-person and fully online courses in animal behaviour, evolution and ecology. Terry has won a UNSW Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. 

 

Nora Campbell headshot

Nora Campbell was an undergraduate student at UNSW from 2018 to 2020 and took a variety of in-person and online courses. Nora has since been awarded a 1st Class Honours degree and is now a PhD student at UNSW studying the social behaviour and conservation of kangaroos.   

 

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This event is a part of the Connections series, consisting of seminars and workshops that provide you with the opportunity to learn from your colleagues to inform your own teaching practice. This year, Connections will align with the Educational & Student Experience themes of “Listening, Challenging, Supporting”.