A Return to Campus and F2F Classes – What a Transition Model Looks Like
With the HE Regulator’s advice ringing in our ears – ‘if it is safe and practical to do so’ – we are staging a return to campus and F2F teaching in T3, 2023. The return to the classroom after a number of years online is being staged and staggered to ensure that the wellness of students is taken into account – and the processes and support mechanisms are effective.
Online Experience and Student Satisfaction
As we were forced into an online environment at the commencement of the COVID-19 experience my own School fared well – using appropriate training around and investment in the necessary technology – with student levels of satisfaction remaining positive throughout the period. This is evidenced in the consistency of SFUs throughout the period –
|
T3 2019 |
T2 2020 |
T3 2020 |
T2 2021 |
T3 2021 |
T1 2022 |
T2 2022 |
T3 2022 |
T1 2023 |
T2 2023 |
|
4.37 |
4.18 |
4.35 |
4.41 |
4.39 |
4.29 |
4.24 |
4.23 |
4.31 |
4.42 |
In fact the most recent SFUs (T2 2023) during online learning was the highest scores since commencing the collection of data in 2016.
Further the graduate satisfaction rating – ‘how satisfied were you with your overall educational experience’ - (collected on completion of awards each year) - has been consistently high throughout the online period –
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
84% |
91% |
94% |
95% |
91% |
The challenge, then, will be to maintain the same levels of satisfaction and support during the transition back to the classroom and the F2F environment.
The evidence is that students would much prefer to remain on line. The systematic collection of survey data would suggest very high levels of enthusiasm to remain online. This was evidenced in the most recent survey (T2, 2023) –
|
T2 2021 |
T3 2021 |
T1 2022 |
T2 2022 |
T3 2022 |
T1 2023 |
T2 2023 |
|
94% |
92% |
94% |
93% |
95% |
90% |
97% |
The transition will be challenging and maintaining the same high levels will not be easy.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the high levels of satisfaction it has now been mandated that HE providers (certainly in relation to international students) must return to face to face teaching and learning. In my humble opinion an error in judgement on the part of the Australian Government (supported by the HE Regulator) – but clearly they are not listening to anyone other than those obsessed with real estate and retail.
Nevertheless we push forward.
My own School approach is to maintain the online delivery in T3, 2023 (out of Sydney) and encourage students to come on campus to form a live audience – not unlike a television program. All sessions remain live (as they have been over the last few years – no use of pre-recorded material at any time) and are only recorded and stored for the trimester period to assist with revision.
Students on satellite campuses in Melbourne and Adelaide – will be able to view the sessions live and come on campus for additional tutorial support provided by highly qualified and experienced professors ensuring suitable (and essential) support and welfare.
T1, 2024 Context
The challenge for T1, 2024 will be a full reinstatement of F2F classes on all three locations. This will consist of 25% of a current student’s load being taught on line and the remaining 75% provided in the traditional classroom environment – as tired and obsolete as the model is – sadly.
Four subjects within the MBA will remain exclusively online and six undergraduate subjects will be selected for online option only. This is at least a compromise on student preference and support. The shift back to the tired model will need to be carefully supported and nurtured despite student preference.
I have on a number of occasions - over a fifty year period of teaching - shaken my head when I see mandated initiatives that clearly are not well thought through and are being supported simply because of unrealistic or skewed institution/staff preference.
Providing students with options (hybrid for example) is a much more sensible and contemporary approach.
Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive officer at Group Colleges Australia
