Swinburne Online Student Liaison Officer Kate Mori.
Advertiser content*
Swinburne Online has redesigned the existing education programs to embrace the online environment and ensure students remain engaged and reap the benefits of studying off campus.
Textbooks remain standard but students access them as ebooks so they can study on the move. Students are actively encouraged to participate in live webinars and and interact with fellow students and teachers through social media channels, in particular Facebook.
Each week about half of Swinburne Online’s student population goes online for networking support and to share ideas. The online community has been dubbed Swinburne’s “campus coffee shop”.
“It’s about offering online students a highly engaging and productive learning experience,” said Rebecca Nieuwenhof, Swinburne Online Student Liaison Officer (SLO). “The main goal of an SLO is to support students throughout their studies. This can range from solving technical and administration queries to answering academic question and offering moral support to students that may be struggling.
“With each Facebook group, we have employed a high-touch approach to stay informed on any issues that may arise, make important announcements and reinforce that students are part of a community.”
Ms Nieuwenhof said she estimated about one third of Swinburne Online’s student population was actively using discipline-focused Facebook groups to gain more support, to stay inspired to reach academic goals and to share ideas.
SLOs moderate the four main Facebook groups dedicated to students studying Business, Communication, Education and Social Science. The SLOs operate under the Facebook profile ‘Students Liaison Officers’, allowing access to post in the groups and communicate with students online.
The groups are closed and can only be accessed after a student requests to join after which their names are verified with enrolment. SLOs contribute to discussions but as the foundation of the Facebook groups was to promote student interactions outside of the online classroom, they only communicate on a needs basis.
“If a student asks a question on Facebook and another student answers correctly, then there isn’t a need to get in on that conversation. We have many student advocates in the groups that are great at pointing others in the right direction, so we just let that flow,” Ms Nieuwenhof said
“We are there to make students feel secure in their online community and show that it’s a place they can connect and unwind. We help when we can but for the most part, the Facebook group is led by our students.”
Ms Nieuwenhof said SLOs remained available by phone and email seven days a week, however Facebook was an ideal vehicle for getting regular and larger messages to students.
“We mainly post if there is incorrect information being shared or important dates are coming up. But it has become a great way to be proactive in our support efforts.
“If we notice a problem is trending, we work to find the solution and then can communicate to students in a big way to eliminate too many calls and emails on the same issue. But not all students are on there so it helps to prepare for the students that get in touch directly.”
Bachelor of Education student Helen Edwards said she was a frequent contributor to the Education group and access to the online group has elevated her experience as a student.
“The Swinburne Online Facebook group has really helped with my study. It is relieving to know others out there doing the same as you, juggling work or family commitments. It is a fantastic way to hear study tips, brainstorm ideas and support each other’s ups and downs,” Helen said.
For more information on online study visit click here.
* This article has been written by a Fairfax Media journalist as part of a commercial agreement between Fairfax Media and Swinburne Online.