On-campus or online: Learning resources and communities of practice make the difference

Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns; Professor Kaye Shumack

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2017)
'Designs on e-Learning: Anxiety and Security' Special Issue

Research Papers

On-campus or online: Learning resources and communities of practice make the difference

Published 2017-05-22

Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns
Professor Kaye Shumack

Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns
Western Sydney University

Professor Kaye Shumack
Western Sydney University

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Abstract

This paper outlines a pedagogical approach to course learning materials for students who attend tutorials on-campus and online. Reflecting upon these two modes of study, it describes a model developed for the Bachelor of Communication course at Western Sydney University. This approach sought to develop efficacy in academic staff by providing clear guidelines for engagement in learning, comprehensive and consistent pre-recorded lecture materials and virtual tutorial support. By developing the potential of virtual and in-classroom experiences this integrated design fosters shared ‘communities of practice’ for teaching staff as much as students.

Keywords

E-learning, Andragogic, Constructivist, Communities of Practice, Efficacy, Capacity Building

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Supplementary File(s)

On-campus or On-line–best practice learning resources makingthedifference

Author Biography

Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns

Lynette Sheridan Burns is Professor of Journalism and Deputy Dean of the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University. In recent years she led a project to introduce online and blended learning in a range of disciplines across the School. This work has led to number of conference presentations and publications investigating ways to build academic capacity to take on new pedagogical approaches and methods of working. Prior to this work, Lynette has extensive experience in curriculum design and evaluation and the professional development of staff to respond to changing circumstances in the fields of media and communication.

Professor Kaye Shumack

Kaye Shumack is an Adjunct Professor of Design in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University. Her research focuses on design thinking and strategic implementation of complexity through development of communication systems and communities. This expertise has been recognised internationally in publications, and has been continuously applied to educational and governance settings and roles. As Director of Program, Communication, she was successful in building innovative cross campus teams and curriculum for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. She led the design and operationalisation of the fully online hybrid B Communication that has since been adopted by others within the University. This innovative model received a team excellence award for learning and teaching in 2015.

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