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Find out moreMacquarie’s mixed-mode model of engaged learning and teaching.
Macquarie has a proud history of offering high-quality learning and teaching in a variety of learning environments – from campus-based to fully online.
Here, Professor Sean Brawley, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Programs and Pathways) discusses how Macquarie was able to quickly and effectively transition almost our entire offering to online platforms during the COVID-19 emergency, and how the situation led the University to rethink how we deliver learning for our students, and ultimately, to finalise a new approach to learning and teaching.
At Macquarie, we’ve been teaching online for many years, so we were fortunate that the transition to fully online learning was not a difficult one. Prior to COVID-19, more than one third of our degrees offered an online component. Once the emergency landed, it only took us a matter of days to move the remaining 70 per cent to new modes of teaching.
During the move to fully online, ensuring the quality of our teaching was naturally a major focus.
Using international best practice as a guide, as well as a range of learning analytics and check-ins with our students, we determined that we needed a more nuanced approach to not only online delivery but, ultimately, all of our approaches to teaching and learning.
While the quality of our existing online teaching was considered very high, many of our students told us they wanted to engage with their teachers and peers virtually in real time.
In answer to our students’ needs, we’ve crystallised a new Macquarie Multi-Mode Model of Learning and Teaching, which offers our students optimal choice and flexibility with the highest level of engagement.
Our new model is not simply about online learning. It’s not just about the best new technology to enhance learning. It’s about the learning journey that works best for our students and the best mode of delivery for them – whether that’s campus based, virtual or a combination.
At only 18, Hannah Darlington is having a great innings both at Macquarie University as a Sports Scholar Ambassador and as a professional cricketer with the NSW Breakers and Sydney Thunder, all while studying a Bachelor of Marine Science.
Hannah, a proud Kamilaroi woman from northern NSW, first started playing cricket seven years ago. She earned her first professional contract at age 15, making her debut two years later.
Playing professional cricket comes with an intense training schedule of four days per week with games on weekends.
With her long list of commitments, it was important for Hannah to study at a university with flexible study options.
“Flexible learning at Macquarie enables me to be a full-time athlete and pursue the dream of one day playing for my country whilst preparing for the day sport ends and another career in my degree can begin,” says Hannah.
“The help and support from staff and teachers play a massive role in my flexible learning and ensures I’m able to continue both passions of sport and marine science.”
Hannah is also is a Sports Scholar Ambassador for Walanga Muru, Macquarie University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre, which provides her with the opportunity to share her love of sport – as well as share her experiences to hopefully inspire others.
Deborah-Anne de la Harpe hopes to teach English at high school level after finishing her studies in a Bachelor of Education (Arts Major); yet this is not her main game.
The 20-year-old has steadily built a part-time career as a professional soccer player since representing NSW from age 10, to her current position as a Young Matilda in the National Premier League. Her dream is to play for the Australian women’s national soccer team, the Matildas.
Flexible study at Macquarie has enabled Deborah-Anne to balance her athletic preparations with her university studies and her role as 2020 Ambassador for the Centre for Emotional Health (CEH).
“Macquarie has allowed me great flexibility in managing a degree as well as being an elite athlete and attending training camps,” Deborah-Anne says.
“The University made it easy for me to switch to a part-time study load; to reschedule assignments and provided useful resources and people to talk to when times get stressful.”
Macquarie’s mixed-mode model of teaching also means students like Deborah-Anne can choose to study on campus, online or a combination of both.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, the halftime whistle has (temporarily) been blown on Deborah-Anne’s soccer schedule but she has seized the opportunity to focus her attention on her CEH Ambassador role. This involves speaking to other students about how they can manage negative feelings, stress and anxiety.
“My role at CEH involves letting students know the help that’s available and reinforcing the importance of health and wellbeing via social media, Zooms and answering questions for CEH articles.”