Excellence Award 2021: Successful Graduates

Covid related teaching restrictions caused all laboratory activities to be transitioned rapidly to a completely online model.

Providing a streamlined & seamless Virtual Learning Experience in a large multi-cohort service teaching Science First-Year Microbiology Subject (MCR101) taught to over 500 students annually required the effective coordination of a large team & leveraging a diverse staff skillset.

A long-standing priority in this teaching team has been to create a high-quality learning experience. To achieve this, multiple teams (Design, Development, Technical, Deployment & Delivery) worked on developing the Subject to provide a learning experience "as close as possible" to a face-to-face experience for the students.

Students experienced & engaged with simulated lab equipment, interactive safety sections, good laboratory practices, correct experimental protocols, & consolidated their learning experiences based on Subject Learning Outcomes. The Science Labs at CSU utilised these activities in other subjects.

Why is it Excellence Award worthy:
The First-Year Experience is a critical factor in overall course attrition. The CoViD imposition would potentially impact this.

While enrolments increased by +13.06%, the strategies actioned demonstrated an increase by +6.0% in the overall subject progress (81.0% [2019]/ 87.0% [2020]/ CSU 85.2% [2020]). Also increases in the Grade Point Average (GPA) [+11.71%] & Overall Satisfaction by +5.00% (78.5% [2019]/ 83.5%[2020]/ CSU 77.6% [2020]).

To reflect inclusiveness (A core CSU value), the Delivery Teams were intentionally chosen to reflect the diversity of Socio-Cultural Identities & Professional Experiences in the student cohort, promoting a worthwhile learning experience and constructing a safe, educational space.

This intentionality effectively enhanced overall subject engagement in this diverse student cohort & reflects our University's ethos, "yindyamarra winhanganha".

Our commitments contributed to creating a robust student community, thereby contributing to Successful Graduates, where CSU has been ranked first for undergraduate employment.