Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

PSYCHOLOGY IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND:Innovation in distance education & flexible delivery

Lucy ZinkiewiczSchool of Psychology, Deakin University, Australialucyz@deakin.edu.au

Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

SETTING THE SCENE

•Deakin University: a large regional university with campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool •47,000 students, of whom 17% are international students, &

13% study entirely via distance/online•Can study u/g psychology through various degrees with various

entry requirements•Three 11-week trimesters so students can complete psych

major in 2 instead of 3 years•Students not restricted to face-to-face or online but can choose

either, & in psych can be full- or part-time•Most Aust unis share at least some of these features

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Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

THE CHALLENGES

•Multiple offers of units: –All u/g psych units offered online, & face-to-face on 2 or 3 campuses,

though not always in same trimester–All core units offered in at least 2 trimesters including T3 (summer)•Servicing large numbers with diverse levels of ability•Tight timelines yet require several pieces of assessment & cannot

use online exams •Need for equivalent experience for online & face-to-face students•Push from APAC for more skill development•Need to foster employability especially for weaker students

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Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

SOME SOLUTIONS: TEACHING

•Blended learning used for all students, based on customised D2L learning environment (‘CloudDeakin’), available on mobile phones using DeakinMobile app •Most lectures are live streamed & all are automatically recorded

in multiple formats•Tutorials are available both face-to-face & online, & recorded•Online tutorials run on Blackboard Collaborate, with 24/7 student

access to each unit’s space, & access via mobile phone & desktop•Discussion boards – can be restricted to particular subgroups•Optional Facebook sites, wikis

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Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

SOME SOLUTIONS: LEARNING RESOURCES

•Standardisation of structure of CloudDeakin•All materials except textbooks are online•Access to resources can be contingent on students accessing

previous materials, or released selectively •Many units use pre-recorded lectures, staff-produced videos

(eg., illustrating difficult concepts/professional situations), which can be downloaded in various formats (eg, ipod, ipad)•Student ePortfolios: store evidence of learning, in multiple

formats, across units, & even beyond graduation – contents can be shared with peers & employers

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Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

SOME SOLUTIONS: ASSESSMENT

•Online forms for extension applications & submission of documentation•Online submission & marking of assignments , with automatic

Turnitin plagiarism checking•Online quizzes for formative or summative feedback (max

value 10%)•Various formats used for more authentic assessments – eg,

video journals, recording of simulated counselling sessions, ePortfolio presentations, self-help guides & leaflets, policy briefs, concept maps, simulations

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Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

SOME CHALLENGES OF THE SOLUTIONS

•Some students resent having to participate at a specific time – expect total flexibility & asynchronicity•24/7 access to discussion boards lead to expectation of

immediate responses from staff, including after hours •Urge for instant gratification leads to thoughtless , repetitive

posting on discussion boards – needs close staff management•On-campus students are likely to not attend classes unless

compulsory, especially when assessments due•Some assessments /compulsory learning activities cannot be

utilised if can’t deliver online•Change fatigue in staff due to constant upgrading of tech,

worsened by reduction in educational support staff

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Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

CONCLUSIONS

•Innovations & flexibility valued by students•But can be burdensome to staff, especially if not carefully

thought through & set up•Staff need to avoid temptation of using all options if no

educational benefits to them•Need for rigorous evaluation of the educational benefits of

these innovations, though roll-back unlikely even if innovations aren’t as effective as traditional approaches•Also need rigorous evaluation of the costs to staff, & research

on how to minimise staff change fatigue & stress

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