EMBEDDING EMPLOYABILITY IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

Bonnie McBain; Dawn Bennett; Liam Phelan

Authors

Bonnie McBain University of Newcastle http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9751-5128
Dawn Bennett Curtin University
Liam Phelan University of Newcastle

Keywords:

employability, online learning, evaluation

Abstract

A new second year employability course offered in blended learning mode at the University of Newcastle was showing promising outcomes in student learning outcomes and perceived student relevance. Highly interactive workshops with embedded feedback from peers and the tutor seemed highly effective. Then COVID-19 happened. The course was transitioned from blended to online learning mode and student attendance in (now online) workshops dropped suddenly and significantly. Might non-attendance compromise students’ learning? In this paper we review multiple lines of evaluation data demonstrating that even after the move online students were well supported by the course materials, produced high quality work, improved their employability and, despite not having highly interactive workshops, recognised the benefits of peer collaboration. We outline the key pedagogy that our research identified as being the driver of these successful outcomes. We also explore how the evaluation data has highlighted further improvements in the course. Lastly, we investigate the importance of well-planned evaluation that can tell the full ‘story’ of teaching and learning outcomes in science degrees.

Author Biographies

Bonnie McBain, University of Newcastle

Bonnie is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle. She has won national awards for her teaching in sustainability science and does research on Ecological Footprinting.

Dawn Bennett, Curtin University

Dawn is John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Higher Education in the School of Education at Curtin University. She is an Australian Learning and Teaching Fellow and Editor-in-Chief, Global Perspectives in Music Education. Her research specialises in themes in music education and employability.

Liam Phelan, University of Newcastle

Liam has He has 10 years’ teaching experience in Environmental Studies and Environmental Management. He is the recipient of awards for his teaching including an OLT Citation (2012), Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2011), University of Newcastle Postgraduate Students’ Association Online Lecturer of the Year (2011). He has published in environment sustainability and scholarship of teaching and learning.