Dookie students find their groove at a distance

University of Melbourne Diploma in General Studies students have shifted to online learning easily, with benefit of staff support and pretty smart tech.

Smooth move: Diploma in General Studies student Alex Lovel, from Shepparton.

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WHEN Alex Lovel learned he would be taking his University of Melbourne classes from home due to social distancing, he was worried he’d find it hard to stay on top of study.

But a few weeks in to the University of Melbourne’s virtual-campus model, Alex said he and his classmates were finding benefits to the new way of learning.

“We all now understand the online format and are finding ways to enhance our learning and use the experience to develop skills that will be used more often in the future as technology advances,” Alex said.

“The lecturers made the transition incredibly easy, ensuring we get notifications of when our online sessions are, and keeping us updated on assignments and tasks we have to complete.”

Exceptional support is one of the hallmarks of Alex’s course, the Diploma in General Studies. It is a one-year program taught at Dookie campus designed to help students develop strong academic skills. Completion allows them to enter degrees in agriculture, commerce, design, science and biomedicine.

Smooth move: University of Melbourne Dookie campus student experience co-ordinator Karen Edwards.

Dookie tutor and student experience co-ordinator Karen Edwards said staff and students worked together to identify and solve issues.

“We usually pay attention around campus and in classes to make sure everyone has any support they need and are feeling confident about their progress,” she said.

“With everyone learning from home, we’ve moved that pastoral care online and are making sure we’re reaching out one-on-one.”

Ms Edwards uses digital whiteboards, quizzes and video breakout rooms to make sure online classes are replicating the on-campus experience.

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“In an online group of 30, it’s hard for everyone to contribute,” she said. “But when they’re working together over video in groups of four or five, everyone’s a lot more comfortable giving their input and socialising with classmates. It seems to be something they really enjoy.”

Students have worked with agricultural professionals to understand how real-world consultants develop whole-farm management plans, and with university staff to understand how they undertake agricultural research.

Later this semester, lecturers will walk classes through Dookie’s native bush reserve through video link, allowing students to observe native plants and animals and understand biological systems.

Alex said the online experience he has had in DiGS made him confident about his future.

“Whether it’s online or not, the University of Melbourne has given me a great insight into uni life and what people will expect of us in the coming years,” he said.