A micro-learning experience for RMIT University (2023)

The project

Context:

Casual Relief Teachers (CRT) are essential in maintaining continuity of education when regular teachers are unavailable and there was growing need for skilled relief teachers in schools. However, CRTs face unique challenges such as adapting to different classroom environments and lesson plans at short notice and RMIT wanted to build a course to equip pre-service and new teachers with the practical skills, flexibility, and confidence necessary to succeed in these dynamic settings.

Approach:

I employed a learner-centered approach that incorporated Kanban methodology for workflow management. This included:

  1. Needs Analysis: Conducting thorough research to identify the specific challenges and needs of CRTs. This involved a workshop with experienced relief teachers, school administrators, and educational experts at RMIT.

  2. Course Design: Based on the findings, I designed a comprehensive curriculum that included scenario-based learning modules and interactive resources. The curriculum focused on key areas such as classroom management, adapting lesson plans quickly, and building rapport with students.

  3. Development: Utilizing Kanban to manage project tasks efficiently, I collaborated with subject matter experts and and videographers to develop engaging training materials. This included customizing the Canvas LMS to enhance user experience, recording instructional videos, writing scripts, and working closely with videographers to ensure high-quality production. The materials featured real-life scenarios and practical applications relevant to CRT challenges.

  4. Implementation: The course was pilot-tested with a group of pre-service teachers and new CRTs, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustments. I facilitated online discussions to enhance participant engagement and provide additional support.

Result:

The training course for CRTs was successfully launched, receiving positive feedback from participants regarding its relevance and practicality. The course equipped pre-service and new teachers with the essential skills and confidence to adapt quickly in various classroom environments. As a result, RMIT contributed to addressing the growing demand for skilled relief teachers, ultimately enhancing the quality of education in schools. The program's success led to plans for ongoing iterations and expansions to cover additional topics related to CRT challenges.

View the course product page.

Project Outline
Introduction to Casual Relief Teaching (2023)

A microcredential for RMIT University College of Design and Social Context

Client
RMIT University

Role
Learning Designer, Project Manager

A peek inside the course: Practical activities for active learning

Due to the practical needs of students taking this course - active learning activities and real-life scenarios were the bulk of the course content.

In the example shown, a teacher from a Melbourne school talks about how they handle working from another teacher’s lesson plan, immediately followed by a scenario task for the student to complete.

I assisted in the coordination of filming the video content, scriptwriting, direction of video post-production, content writing, content build in Canvas and activity ideation and creation in h5p.

My Responsibilities

Curriculum Development

Learning Design

Communication and Collaboration

Project Management

LMS Customisation

Scriptwriting

Needs Assessment

Tools Utilised

H5P
Learning activity creation

Microsoft Planner
Project planning and communication

Adobe Suite (Stock, Illustrator, Premiere Pro)
Course look and feel development
Video feedback and collaboration

Canvas LMS
Customised LMS content build

Miro
Workshop delivery and course planning

Genial.ly
Learning activity creation

Microsoft Word
Storyboarding and scriptwriting

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Training facilitation and content creation for CDU (2024)

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Building the curriculum for a Masters program (2021-2022)