Vignettes from the Field
Snapshot
Sacha |
Student |
Discipline |
Life sciences |
Enrolment status |
Full time, on campus |
Year |
6 th (Honours) |
Experience |
Positive |
‘Living a good hour’s drive away from uni means that it’s not always practical for me to drive in to attend lectures, so it’s a lot easier being able to attend them at home at my own pace when I want and where I want. And it’s also handy in that I can go over and repeat things if I had been not paying attention or not understood something I can repeat it so even if I do attend the lecture, I can occasionally go back and listen to a certain section if I need to’. Sacha
Sacha’s story
Sacha lives on the coast an hour’s drive from Uni. She is currently enrolled in her sixth year of an undergraduate program, (Honours) as an internal student in the Life Sciences discipline area. She has studied as a part-time student during her course but is undertaking full-time study this year. The uses she describes of WBLT are during a unit which included off-campus work-based practicals. Other online components of this Unit include online lecture notes, readings and resources; online announcements and communications through a University-wide learner management system.
WBLT and learning
Like many university students, Sacha works part time. She also attends off-campus practical sessions as part of her program. Sacha describes herself as attending face-to-face lectures for this unit ‘sometimes’ although she regularly attends the face-to-face tutorials on campus. Her main reason for non-attendance is to avoid travelling to campus for only one class, but she also cites the commitment to off-campus practicals as a reason. She describes herself as being able to learn just as well from WBLT as from face-to-face delivery.
Sacha listens to WBLT recording regularly throughout the semester and usually listens to the whole lecture. She describes the Unit content as ‘moderately difficult’ and will repeat short sections if the lecture to make sure she understands the content. WBLT help her to take comprehensive notes.
Impressions of using WBLT
Sacha’s experience of WBLT was positive. She sees it as a valuable study tool, although attributes her higher grades to ‘working hard as well’. It has also made it easier for her to learn, adding flexibility to her studies.
Suggestions for improvement include improving access to visual elements, such as charts or diagrams. She also found the online communication tools such as discussion boards helpful as an accompaniment to WBLT.
Learning Futures
Sacha’s future for learning includes improvements in online facilities and communication
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