By Rowan Peter
Posted Tue 23 April, 2024

Since Monash Teaching Community was launched in September 2023, we’ve published blog posts from across the Monash community on a range of stimulating teaching and learning topics from artificial intelligence, assessment, inclusive teaching, educational technology, engagement, and more.

We’re so proud that we’ve been able to share these amazing contributions with you. And, we really look forward to sharing more with you in the future.

If you’re new to the Monash Teaching Community and would like to catch-up, we encourage you to explore the blog freely or read a few posts related to a theme of interest, such as the following teaching and learning-related topics.

Artificial intelligence

Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how to make the best use of it in all aspects of our lives is something many of us are trying to do. Thao Vu, Zachari Swiecki and Ari Seligmann have given it a lot of thought in relation to higher education. In Positioning Artificial Intelligence (AI) in assessments may seem hard but here are some ways to start the journey, they share their guidance on thinking through how to design AI into or out of assessments as we all figure out how to adjust assessment practices to navigate the storm of contemporary emerging technologies.

AI and assessment seems like it’s on the mind of everyone who works in higher education, including Joanne Tanner and Ari Seligmann. In their post about integrating AI and assessment, they add to ongoing worldwide discussions about the potentials for AI to be used in assessments, as demonstrated by some fruitful examples collected from across Monash.

A new day means a new AI-powered tool, but not all of these tools might be productive in teaching and learning. Nilushi Karunaratne, Tom Morgan and Ari Seligmann are aware of this and in their post they kick-off discussions about productive AI tools and exploring the possibilities for higher education.

Browse all posts related to AI

Check out our chats

As you can imagine the AI and education conversation extends beyond the Monash Teaching Community. Hosted by Tim Fawns, 10 minute chats on Generative AI is a series of short conversations with guests with different kinds of expertise in generative AI and education.

Previous chats have featured educators from Monash and around the globe, including George Siemens, Anne-Marie Scott, Dragan Gašević, Estelle Wallingford, Martin Compton and Sarah Hayes – the chats are must watch.

Assessment

We know that many educators at Monash are rethinking their approach to assessment – some of these educators have shared their thoughts with us.

Ben Hayward reflects on the conundrum of authentic assessment and accreditation requirements playing a role in perpetuating exam use in legal education, while Estelle Wallingford considers the challenges of generative artificial intelligence on traditional assessment design and reflects on questions that educators might need to answer to ensure students develop essential skills to make the best use of the technology. Glen Croy and Tristan Cui share their experience of adopting Perusall as a response to students’ limited preparation for class and assessments – all to great effect!

Browse all posts related to assessment

Inclusive teaching

Rather than being a specific teaching method, inclusive teaching is a broad pedagogy that focuses on designing flexible and accessible learning, assessment, and teaching practices that welcome all students, and on providing support for students to participate and learn as fully as possible.

Placing the student at the centre of the experience matters. In Engaging and empowering students in collaborative partnerships to enhance effective learning, Weeming Lau reflects on students’ contributions in co-creating high quality case scenarios for peer learning and the importance of the educator being the guide on the side rather than the sage on the stage.

As Martijn van der Kamp and Caroline Sanz-Veitch note in their post, teamwork is an important job-ready skill, a major part of the student experience at Monash, and crucial not only in our everyday work but also in addressing complex challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions and thriving communities. It also welcomes all students and supports them to participate and learn fully.

Adopting an inclusive teaching approach also means considering how to use technology. In Why do some students struggle to learn online, and how can we support them?, Paula de Barba explores what it means to engage students in their learning journey and how educational technology can help.

Browse all posts related to inclusive teaching

Which blog posts or themes resonate with you?

We’d love to hear from you about the blog posts or teaching and learning themes that resonate most with you. Or, if you’d like a particular concept or idea explored on the blog or would like to contribute a blog post yourself – let us know in the comments.

Also, consider subscribing to receive an email notification when a new blog post is published. Go to Monash Teaching Community, enter your email in Hear about it first!, and then tap Subscribe.