This paper challenges maritime educators (MEs) to utilise the flipped or partially flipped classroom to meet increasingly diverse stakeholder needs. Given the international and geographically dispersed nature of the maritime industry (MI), the skills required are more complex than in a domestic situation. Further considerations include continuous improvement of learning and teaching practices whilst engaging with a unique student cohort, preparing a graduate suited to specific MI requirements and working within constrained university resources. At first, this may appear to be addressing too many divergent stakeholder expectations. The authors propose using backward course design (a design that meets the needs and goals of the specific nature of the MI through stakeholder consultation) as a premise to flipped teaching, thus unifying stakeholder requirements. Skills developed in the flipped classroom are particularly useful within the international nature of the MI. The skills required for effectively working in a linguistically and culturally diverse industry such as teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving and conflict resolution are practised in the flipped classroom. These skills along with specific consideration of MI-based cases and examples discussed in class time produce a more work-ready graduate attuned to specific industry requirements. This paper provides two application examples of the flipped classroom in the MI and highlights how this approach can lead to improved teaching outcomes for MEs.
This research explores the perceptions of facilitators in asynchronous online discussion to improve practice and student engagement in Higher Education. Traditional didactic delivery of learning content may fail the expectations of student and academic stakeholders. The pressure to teach within constrained resources presents challenges, but also provides stimulating opportunities for optimising use of educational technology. Fostering student engagement requires rethinking traditional classroom and online delivery. The study explores the challenges and benefits experienced, resulting in the identification of key themes from which implications for practice are discussed. In doing so, it broadens conceptual understandings, while offering recommendations for university teachers, administrators and leaders. The impact of facilitated online discussion boards on student engagement and participation was investigated from the experiences and perceptions of facilitators of online discussion boards in a Health Science subject at the University of Tasmania. After the semester was completed, all facilitators were invited to participate in one-to-one, semi-structured interviews. Interview questions were grouped to produce both descriptive and reflective responses about roles as a facilitator, and about preparation, training and support. Findings suggest that, with appropriately trained and prepared facilitators, online discussion can improve student engagement, enhance learning outcomes and satisfy stakeholder expectations.
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