The virtual staff room

Swinburne Online’s teaching staff rarely meet physically, but still maintain their support networks Swinburne University of Technology’s distance-learning arm, Swinburne Online, has staff that are based solely online, like its students. Physically these eLearning Advisors (eLAs) are based around the world, as far afield as Sri Lanka and Greece. Swinburne Online has set up online networks so the eLAs can connect with one another, receive guidance and expand on their teaching skills. Melbourne-based eLA Luke Serong said, “Swinburne Online has invested in our satellite workforce, focusing on supporting and developing our teaching team. “As an online teaching coach I am part of this support and development. I have regular contact with our eLAs, offer tips and hints for better performance and focus heavily on assisting the eLAs to work more efficiently and effectively rather than harder.” The 140 eLAs that make up the teaching team are connected through the Yammer private social networking site and Blackboard online learning system. Through these platforms, eLAs can discuss, in an environment of like-minded people, academic content delivery and new methods for collaborating with students. They can also receive general support and feedback on the units they instruct. “On top of Yammer, eLAs also have unit specific online lounges where ideas and resources are shared and discussed, questions are raised and morale is supported,” said Serong. “We try and give positive, constructive feedback at every opportunity, while openly helping eLAs who may be struggling to meet standards with clear conversations around areas that need improving.” Selected based on industry experience and qualifications, eLAs are the first port of call for online students. Each eLA undergoes an intensive four-week training course before facilitating online study to students. A typical day for an eLA may include working full-time in industry or supporting a family. But on top of these “day jobs”, each eLA devotes four hours each week to the unit they teach, with the time spread out in order to provide a consistent presence for students. “Our eLAs are trained to respond quickly to student emails and questions on the Blackboard. The majority of their work is done weaving the key concepts raised by students into a consolidated post that demonstrates the learning generated by the participating students,” Serong said. The eLA network is not entirely virtual, however. Apart from the initial training, eLAs are invited to meet once a year at the Swinburne Online head office to meet up and discuss new and emerging concepts in online teaching.