UOW flips WHS learning on its head

The University of Wollongong has recently revised its Work Health and Safety courses to offer students greater flexibility through a ‘flipped classroom’ approach. Content will now be delivered online for up to six weeks, before students attend a compulsory block teaching session of between three and five days.

Within the ‘flipped classroom’, students will work through the subject material outside a traditional classroom setting. They will then use the face-to-face session to analyse and evaluate what they have learnt with the support of industry experts and their peers.

“We believe this approach gives students more ownership and flexibility around their own learning, while the lecturer’s role is focused around support and guidance, rather than lecturing at students,” UOW WHS Academic Course Director Dr Robyn Coman said.

To ensure the success of this approach, UOW is using e-lectures, readings, videos and interactive multimedia to present the learnings in a variety of ways and to provide students with easy access to staff support.

“During the online component, students can access content when convenient, and at a pace that suits their particular learning style, while still having the opportunity to interact with lecturers and other students in online discussions and web conferences,” said Dr Coman.

“The on-campus component places greater emphasis on exploring concepts and applying knowledge, individually and in groups, to a range of activities, including case studies, practicals (eg, use of environmental testing equipment) and group presentations.”

UOW is currently offering its nationally and internationally accredited Master of Work Health and Safety with specialisations in ergonomics, risk management and occupational hygiene, as well as a graduate certificate and graduate diploma.

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Image courtesy of University of Wollongong.