Mixed Cohort Learning

The University’s Mixed Cohort Learning project is an initiative to deliver classes which some students attend face-to-face, and others online, simultaneously.

The University is undertaking a classroom refurbishment project in 2021 to support and advance Mixed Cohort Learning, using appropriate technology and physical space design. This initiative responds to the challenges presented by the pandemic – the need to adapt modes of teaching to support students regardless of their physical location – and aligns with our strategic commitment to increasing the flexibility of our education delivery as part of our Education Pillar Plan under Future Making. It also is informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Space Transformation Vision project, 2019, which established key principles for the future design of campus learning spaces.

The Mixed Cohort Learning pilot has been established to facilitate teaching in classes that have mixed cohorts of on-campus and remote learners. Enabled by technology and tailored space design, it takes a student-centred and ‘pedagogy first’ approach. The aim is to support active learning in mixed-cohort classes, including group-based and collaborative approaches. The pilot aims to provide a user-friendly, reliable environment for students and staff, and will allow us to apply lessons learned from using the refurbished spaces to the design of future learning spaces at the University.

  • Project structure and governance

    Project Sponsor

    • Professor Philippa Levy – Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning)

    Project Owner

    • Travis Cox – Director, Learning Enhancement and Innovation

    Steering Group

    • Professor Philippa Levy (Chair) – Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning)
    • Dr Braden Phillips – Deputy Dean (Learning and Teaching), Faculty of Engineering Computer and Mathematical Sciences
    • Professor Suzanne Le Mire – Deputy Dean (Learning and Teaching), Faculty of the Professions
    • Dr Beth Loveys – Deputy Head of School (Learning and Teaching), School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    • Professor Alan Peters – Head of School, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University Master Planner
    • Travis Cox – Director, Learning Enhancement and Innovation
    • Carmel D’Angelo – Business Relationship Manager, Information Technology and Digital Services
    • Noel Threapleton – Infrastructure Delivery Lead, Information Technology and Digital Services
    • Mary White – Manager Space Allocation and Planning, Strategic Portfolio Management
    • Annali Dolman – Project Manager, Learning Enhancement and Innovation

    Operational Group

    • Travis Cox (Chair) – Director, Learning Enhancement and Innovation
    • Annali Dolman – Project Manager, Learning Enhancement and Innovation
    • Eleanor De Guglielmo – Project Coordinator, Learning Enhancement and Innovation
    • Professor Alan Peters – Head of School, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University Master Planner
    • Catherine Irving – Lecturer, Engineering Communication, Faculty of Engineering Computer and Mathematical Sciences
    • Dr Hayley McGrice – Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    • Helen Morris – Lecturer, Program Coordinator BFNS, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    • Dr Lynette Bester – Senior Lecturer Anaesthesiology, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    • Associate Professor Tania Crotti – Medical Sciences
    • Melanie Brown – Manager Curriculum and Academic Development, Division of Academic and Student Engagement
    • Paul Moss – Learning Design and Capability Manager, Learning Enhancement and Innovation
    • Philip Pieridis – Audio Visual Services Team Lead, Information Technology and Digital Services
    • Carmel D’Angelo – Business Relationship Manager, Information Technology and Digital Services
    • Mary White – Manager Space Allocation and Planning, Strategic Portfolio Management
    • Rohan Goyal – Student Representative
    • Sharon Lam – Student Representative

    Project Team

    • Annali Dolman – Project Manager
    • Eleanor De Guglielmo – Project Coordinator

  • Project timeline

    Two Common Teaching Areas (CTA), Hughes 322 and Hughes 323, will be fitted with additional technology to support Mixed Cohort Learning and will be available prior to the Semester 2, 2021 teaching period. In addition, the pilot will include specific courses delivered within the Professions’ MBA suite of rooms (Level 7 Nexus Building), during Trimester 2, 2021.

  • Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for Mixed Cohort Learning are listed below and will continue to be updated as the pilot progresses. If you have any further questions or suggested additions to the FAQs, please send us your feedback.

    What is a Mixed Cohort class?

    For the purpose of this project, a ‘mixed cohort’ class is a class pin which some students are face-to-face and others are online, simultaneously.

    Where will Mixed Cohort Learning take place?

    In two Common Teaching Areas (CTA), Hughes 322 and Hughes 323, with equitable access to all faculties. These spaces will be available for the Semester 2, 2021 teaching period.

    Who will be involved?

    Classes will be timetabled to maximise the use of the spaces in Semester 2. At-elbow support will be provided for teaching staff during the first few classes for each course, to help with familiarisation with the technology set-up.

    Semester 2 courses are currently being selected for inclusion in the project. Once finalised, a complete list will be made available. 

    How will this project be evaluated?

    Ongoing evaluation by staff and students through the pilot will be implemented to provide rapid feedback loops on activities which are successful or need further refinement. Evaluation will focus on key aspects of the student and staff experience, and of the technology/space environment.

 

For further information relating to this project, please go to the Learning Enhancement and Innovation project page for Mixed Cohort Learning.