In facing the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, how can we best support students to transition to online study? As higher education moves completely online, educators are working to minimise student disruptions and support all students to learn. This presentation will provide useful strategies for supporting student access and engaging students through online learning.

With a focus on community and inclusivity, we will explore the challenges presented and look at best practice solutions for teaching students from diverse backgrounds in digital spaces. We will consider design-based approaches, grounded in Enabling Pedagogies (Stokes 2014) and Universal Design for Learning (CAST 2011), which have been applied to attain outstanding student outcomes in enabling and online courses at the University of South Australia. We will also explore opportunities for innovation and dialogue which emerge in digital environments.  Through reflecting on lessons learned in course design over almost two decades, UniSA Senior Lecturer Jennifer Stokes will share tips and tools which work for contemporary students.

A YouTube clip recording of the webinar is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3BqI2l1Xpk

To view the Padlet responses CLICK HERE.

Presenter: Jennifer Stokes, University of South Australia

Short Bio: Jennifer Stokes is an award-winning educator, who specialises in digital media and enabling pedagogy. She is a Senior Lecturer who  coordinates courses in digital and information literacy at UniSA College (University of South Australia). Her doctorate explores enabling pedagogy, and she received a 2018 Australian Award for University Teaching citation for leadership in this area. She is passionate about educational access and the role universities can play in social inclusion and societal betterment. Her background in digital media production and her commitment to social inclusion inform an innovative approach to course content.

References

• CAST 2011, Universal Design for Learning Guidelines Version 2.0., Wakefield MA.
• Stokes, J 2014 'New Students and Enabling Pedagogies: Supporting Students from Diverse Backgrounds through a​ University Enabling Program', The International Journal of Diversity in Education, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp.115-124.​