Teaching Matters

PS7 R4 Maritime teaching and learning in the online space

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Teaching Matters 2020 | Presentation Details | 2 December 20202 Dec 2020

Title

Maritime teaching and learning in the online space


Author(s)

  • Aditi Kataria, National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Australian Maritime College, CoSE*
  • Gholam Reza Emad, National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Australian Maritime College, CoSE
  • Jiangang (Johnny) Fei, National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Australian Maritime College, CoSE


Subtheme

Digital connections


Presentation Type

Showcase Presentation


Room

Room 4


Time

11.00-11.15


Abstract

This presentation provides preliminary insights into the experiences of Maritime Education and Training (MET) faculty and ocean seafaring students with teaching and learning in the online space. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the rapid transition of teaching at the University to remote delivery. The process to impart blended learning was already in place at the University. The pandemic served as a catalyst to accelerate the move. MET was no exception to this shift. In 2020, all forty-four ocean seafaring units for the deck (24 units) and engine departments (20 units) were moved online, barring the practical components for which students were required to return to campus. The remote modality of maritime teaching and learning offers novel digital connections between the students, faculty, and the teaching-learning resources. Our research shows that online teaching and learning are considered advantageous by both students and faculty. It accords students the flexibility to pursue their studies while being gainfully employed. The availability of online resources (including lecture recordings) are beneficial to the students, as they can revisit the recordings multiple times to consolidate their learning. Student engagement in the online space differs from that in the physical face-to-face classroom environment due to technological affordances. Students increasingly engage with teachers through email and video and chat conferencing. Peer to peer engagement is facilitated through discussion boards. Although not free of challenges, remote learning in MET is here to stay. The affordances of remote teaching and learning modality need to be explored in-depth to support teaching delivery and student learning.

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