Overcoming the tyranny of distance – approaches to humanising online learning

Many years ago, as a student of history, I read, analysed and critiqued Blainey’s The Tyranny of Distance detailing how Australia’s future was shaped by geographical remoteness. Today it is almost impossible (especially for our children!) to remember or imagine a world where online communication does not exist. More recently learning institutions have had to evolve, modify, generate and update new approaches to learning that are online and use both synchronous and asynchronous learning modes. Key themes include challenges to engage students (Fanshawe et al., 2020; Redmond et al., 2018), hybrid learning (considered a manifestation of blended learning, Bates, 2015) where some of the class may be on campus and others online (Daniel, 2016; Contact North, 2020), and the humanisation of learning (Pacansky-Brock, 2020) – how to make it personal, relevant and supportive of all students .

Alongside and intertwined with these immediate challenges are exponential opportunities to learn with and from others at a distance. Online and collaborative learning that leads to co-creation of ideas and solutions with others not in your immediate or everyday world is possible, viable, and dare I say, imperative for learning in 2022 and beyond (Lindsay, 2016).

Invitation to join JLU-USQ Collaborative Workshops

Instigated by USQ International through an ongoing relationship with JLU-Giessen University in Germany and co-designed by Technology Demonstrators, two online workshops connected by asynchronous collaborative interactions are planned for March 2022. Not only will you learn more about tools and pedagogies for humanising and socialising online learning – this is an opportunity to ‘walk the walk’ and participate in collaborative co-creation. The tyranny of distance means Germany will join early in the morning and Australia late afternoon – at least its not 1am! Presenters from both universities are collaborating now to co-create the short information sessions, design a group task, and inspire connections and ongoing conversations across the week leading into a culminating synchronous session.

Find out more on the JLU-USQ website and REGISTER today via the link provided.

Download the attached flyer and share with colleagues.

USQ-JLUGiessenGermany Event A4 flyer v4

References

Bates, A. W. (2015). Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for Designing Teaching and Learning, BCcampus.

Contact North| Contact Nord. (2020). A new pedagogy is emerging… and online learning is a key contributing factor.

Daniel, J. (2016). Making sense of blended learning: Treasuring an older tradition or finding a better future. Online Learning News, Contact North-March, 2.

Fanshawe, M., Burke, K., Tualaulelei, E., Cameron, C. (2020, August 31). Creating Emotional Engagement in Online Learning. Educause Review.

Lindsay, J. (2016). Commentary: We Are a Global Community: What if We Collaborated?. LEARNing Landscapes, 10(1), 37-46.

Pacansky-Brock, M. (2020). How to humanize your online class, version 2.0 [Infographic].

Redmond, P., Abawi, L. A., Brown, A., Henderson, R., & Heffernan, A. (2018). An online engagement framework for higher education. Online learning, 22(1), 183-204.