Conference presentation
Immersive teaching delivery: A pilot year in the Southern Cross Model
Higher Education Research & Development Society of Australia (HERDSA) Annual Conference (Melbourne, Australia, 27/06/2022 - 30/06/2022)
29/06/2022
Metrics
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Abstract
Background/context. Student achievement and success has been enhanced in Australia and internationally by ‘immersive’ or ‘block’ models where students study fewer concurrent units over shorter periods of time than traditional semesters (Loton et al., 2020; Turner et al., 2021). Building on these successes, a major curriculum reform is underway at a regional Australian university. This whole-of-institution transformation involves the implementation of an entirely new teaching approach, combining immersive learning with a distinctive form of active learning pedagogy.
The initiative/practice. This new delivery model divides the calendar into six, 6-week teaching Terms. Students complete a maximum of two units per Term, and typically enrol in four consecutive Terms. Units have been redesigned to achieve: 1) focused learning with fewer competing demands; 2) active learning to build student engagement; and 3) guided learning to foster learner agency and community.
Methods of evaluative data collection and analysis. Student success rates, satisfaction, and grade distributions were compared across a suite of Pathways, Diploma and Bachelor units offered in both a traditional format (2019), and in the model’s pilot year (2021). Trends were analysed for statistical significance. Focus groups were conducted to explore students’ experiences in the new model.
Evidence of outcomes and effectiveness. The pilot year data indicate that the new model has significantly improved success rates across all levels of study while enhancing confidence and engagement. These findings evidence the efficacy of immersive, active learning, contributing both to research on innovative approaches to higher education pedagogy and student achievement literature.
Details
- Title
- Immersive teaching delivery: A pilot year in the Southern Cross Model
- Creators
- Elizabeth Goode (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityThomas Roche - Southern Cross UniversityErica Wilson - Southern Cross University
- Conference
- Higher Education Research & Development Society of Australia (HERDSA) Annual Conference (Melbourne, Australia, 27/06/2022 - 30/06/2022)
- Identifiers
- 991013139612802368
- Academic Unit
- Office of the PVC (Academic Quality); Faculty of Business, Law and Arts; Office of the PVC (Academic Innovation)
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation
- Local Fields
- Evidence Based Practice - SoLT