Enhancing the Teaching and Research Nexus through Collaborative Activities in a Blended Learning Environment

By:
Dr. Denise Wood
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There is considerable interest in the teaching and research nexus internationally as evidenced by the growing body of literature documenting the potential benefits of engaging undergraduate students in research activities designed to foster active learning and problem-solving, as well as the generation of new knowledge. Engaging students in such activities within a blended learning environment in which both students and teachers collaborate as peers through online discussions also provides a means by which students can participate in peer review of each other’s work, receive formative feedback in a timely manner and act on that feedback prior to marking. By participating in online collaborative activities as peers and mentors, teachers are encouraged to reflect on their own teaching, the quality of the feedback they provide students and the alignment of assessment and feedback with student learning objectives. This paper describes such an approach drawing on a case study in which research tasks have been embedded within an undergraduate first-year digital media course. The findings from student evaluations of the course are reported and strategies for enhancing the teaching and learning nexus in a blended learning environment are discussed.


Keywords: Teaching and Research Nexus, Collaborative Peer Review, Feedback and Assessment, Formative Assessment, Scholarship of Learning and Teaching
Stream: Pedagogies and Teaching Practices
Presentation Type: 30 minute Paper Presentation in English
Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Dr. Denise Wood

Program Director and Senior Lecturer, School of Communication, University of South Australia
AUSTRALIA

Denise is the Program Director responsible for multimedia major courses within the Bachelor of Media Arts program offered by the School of Communication, University of South Australia. Denise is responsible for the Bachelor of Media Arts program in the School of Communication, University of South Australia and she coordinates and is principal lecturer for several multimedia and Web design courses offered within the undergraduate and Honours programs at the University of South Australia. Denise is also Chair of the School of Communication Teaching and Learning Committee and Co-Chair of the Division's Equity Committee. Denise’s research interests include the scholarship of teaching and learning, the effects of feedback and reinforcement on learning and the use of innovative technologies in online learning. Denise’s work in the innovative application of technology in special education has been acknowledged with various awards including SA Information Technology Achiever of the Year and an SA Great Award for services to a special field.

Ref: LS7P0092