Building an engaging learning community in the virtual world using Spatial Chat
Ms Agneetha Amarnath, Ms Syeda Zakia Begum, Dr Gee Chong Ling, Dr Tammy Tang
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Over the last 2 years where we were plagued by the COVID pandemic, it was( and still) a tough challenge to establish a truly engaged online learning community with our students. Within BABS, the technical team collaborated with the teaching team in trialling novel interactive platform which aligns with UNSW’ S 2025 vision and initiatives of continuing innovative delivery of our education and student experience in and beyond the classroom. The platform i mproves student interactions and engagem ent in the virtual learning environment while successfully delivering the course content.
Spatial chat was introduced in a first year( 300 students) and third year( 42 and 65 students) courses to deliver live online trivia, group discussion and symposium. Students were represented in a personalised icon, interacting with those who are in close vicinity, hence“ spatial,” simulating a true classroom interaction where mini group discussion is possible without sending participants away into another room. The vicinity of the spatial distance resembles the social interactions that we have missed throughout the lockdown. The tool can be adapted to different learning activity by customising the virtual environment and sharing teaching resources in various formats.
The benefits of using spatial chat are, it i mitates social interaction virtually during lockdown, it promotes mental health and wellness of staff and students, several learning activities can be conducted on the same platform and it also provides the educators with a bird’ s eye view on the students in the newly introduced learning platform.
We found that this platform provided students’ an opportunity to experience a virtual classroom atmosphere as well as a fulfil the learning outcomes of the course. Students appreciated the interaction and engagement element present in spatial chat as it was flexible, efficient and fun. Overall, this technology takes us one step closer to reality, creating an exceptional learning experience for our students.
Agneetha Amarnath
Syeda Zakia Begum
Dr Gee Chong Ling
Agnee is a Technical Officer within school of BABS who supports both F2F and online Teaching, and Research labs in the disciplines of Molecular sciences, Biochemistry and Biomedical sciences. She has wide experience in online teaching, course management system and platforms.
Zakia is a Technical Officer within the school of BABS who facilitates Research, on campus and the online delivery of laboratory teaching in the Disciplines of Molecules, Cells and Genes, Biochemistry, Applied Biomolecular Sciences, Molecular Frontiers, and Genetics. she is involved in conducting Hybrid class and digital resources for laboratory teaching.
Gee is an EF Lecturer from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science with strong interest in redesigning the delivery of laboratory teaching in a digital assisted format. Gee employs assessment as learning as the pedagogical design for the practical teaching activities in undergraduates’ courses, implementing electronic laboratory notebook as the tool to promote professional practices, particularly collaboration and communication.
Poster Authors
Tammy is a Technical Officer within school of BABS who support teaching delivery and research groups. She has experience in digital uplift for teaching, such as video designing for online teaching.
Dr Tammy Tang
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