UNSW’s Education Festival 2021 | Page 40

Ms Agneetha Amarnath , Ms Syeda Zakia Begum , Dr Gee Chong Ling , Dr Tammy Tang

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

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

Agneetha Amarnath

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 .

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 .

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

Syeda Zakia Begum

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 .

Spatial chat was introduced in a first

introduced learning platform .

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 .

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 .

Dr Gee Chong Ling

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 .

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