Evaluating the online teaching experience of University of Sydney staff from 2020-2021: What are the lessons learnt?

Osu Lilje; Alice Huang; Alexander Samarian; Daniel K. Y. Tan; Diana Warren; Francesca van den Berg; Manjula D. Sharma; Maria Ishkova; Prarthana Devi; Reyne Pullen; Stephen George-Williams; Tina Hinton; Vicky Tzioumis; Tsz Wai Rosita Pang

Authors

Osu Lilje The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4770-0103
Alice Huang The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4795-3402
Alexander Samarian The University of Sydney
Daniel K. Y. Tan The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0449-4557
Diana Warren The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4682-6070
Francesca van den Berg The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1666-9422
Manjula D. Sharma The University of Sydney
Maria Ishkova The University of Sydney
Prarthana Devi The University of Sydney
Reyne Pullen The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8617-1630
Stephen George-Williams The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2578-1187
Tina Hinton The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4173-3812
Vicky Tzioumis The University of Sydney
Tsz Wai Rosita Pang The University of Sydney https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9900-572X

Keywords:

staff reflection, qualitative evaluation, online teaching, workload, challenges

Abstract

This study aimed to address the broad concern of how teaching staff in the higher education sector were impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021. Importantly, we sought to extend this to consider how reflecting on these experiences has informed future practice or plans for innovation. Invited participants completed an online qualitative questionnaire composed of reflective questions. Respondents (14) included members of the research team from the Faculty of Science and Business School, The University of Sydney. Subsequent deductive thematic coding was undertaken with a focus to identify common experiences and challenges raised (Ryan & Bernard, 2003).

In this presentation, we will give an overview of the key findings from this study including the challenges and lessons learnt. In this study there was a degree of concern raised about making the transition from face-to-face teaching to online teaching. This was primarily related to increased workload and lack of engagement with online teaching. However, as respondents went through the process of change, they reported feeling more positive and confident about their ability to use EdTech and make changes in a short space of time. The research has demonstrated a strong resilience of staff in adapting to unforeseen changes such as that experienced by all during the pandemic.

REFERENCE

Ryan, G. W. & Bernard, H. R. (2003). Techniques to identify themes. Field Methods, 15, 85-109.

Author Biographies

Osu Lilje, The University of Sydney

Senior Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Alice Huang, The University of Sydney

Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Alexander Samarian, The University of Sydney

Physics Teaching Labs Manager, School of Physics
Daniel K. Y. Tan, The University of Sydney

Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Diana Warren, The University of Sydney

Senior Lecturer, School of Mathematics and Statistics
Francesca van den Berg, The University of Sydney

Associate Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Manjula D. Sharma, The University of Sydney

Professor, School of Physics
Maria Ishkova, The University of Sydney

Associate Lecturer, Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies
Prarthana Devi, The University of Sydney

Academic Supervisor, First Year Undergraduate Studies, School of Chemistry
Reyne Pullen, The University of Sydney

Lecturer, School of Chemistry
Stephen George-Williams, The University of Sydney

Lecturer, School of Chemistry
Tina Hinton, The University of Sydney

Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy
Vicky Tzioumis, The University of Sydney

Senior Lecturer, School of Physics
Tsz Wai Rosita Pang, The University of Sydney

Laboratory Supervisor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences