Friday, 29 April 11:00am – 12:00pm

This seminar will be delivered in Online Zoom Please email chemistry.researchsupport@sydney.edu.au for zoom link and password.

Speaker: Associate Professor Tracey Kuit; University of Wollongong

Host: Prof. Siegbert Schmid

Title: Student engagement and collaboration online through the re-design of group work 

Abstract: In this presentation Tracey will explore insights from moving a large (~900 students)  1^st year molecular biology course online over the last 2 years, particularly focusing on designing and delivering a large-scale group research project online fostering creativity. Through the project, students explored targets set under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), developing many employability skills in problem-solving, teamwork, communication, creativity and digital literacy. Through creation of electronic portfolios, students reflected and evidenced their skill development and peer reviewed the work of others. Tracey will share insights from the educator and student perspective on what worked (and didn’t) for fostering group work, and achieving effective collaborations that developed a sense of community. Tracey will also highlight digital tools that supported the process. With the overall outcome being that everyone (well just about) wants face-to-face interactions and we have learnt so much over the last 2 years that we can build upon! Shared experiences from participants is welcome.

Biography: Tracey Kuit is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience at the University of Wollongong, where she is also the Associate Head of School (Learning and Teaching). Tracey has 15 years’ experience as a teaching-intensive academic and has coordinated subjects across all year levels with over 15,000 students in that time (and she loves teaching). She maintains her energy and enthusiasm through working with teaching teams and is an active mentor, peer reviewer and scholar. She is the Chair of the Wollongong Academy for Tertiary Teaching and Learning Excellence, Deputy Chair of the Education group of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and part of the Education and Training Committee for the International Union for BMB. Tracey’s research area is L&T and she is highly regarding both nationally and internationally.