Transforming Teaching in Triple Time

It has been remarkable to witness and share in the immense transformation of teaching that has transpired over the past six months in MGSE and across the University. If this had been a fully planned transformation, then I can imagine it would have taken a number of years (at least). Instead, we have shown the great value of our collegial community of academic and professional staff, in responding to the heavy demands placed upon us. No one has done it alone. Each one of us has benefited from the very generous and public-spirited culture that characterises the day to day work of our Graduate School, expressed via the many helping hands offered when the need for assistance is known. Can I pass on my thanks to each and every person for the efforts involved and the results achieved, particularly highlighting the great work of the Digital Taskforce, under the leadership of Dr Nicky Dulfer, in providing a level of support we can be justly proud of, as a faculty concerned with teaching and education.

In speaking of “results” I am thinking primarily of our students, who have been understanding of the challenges faced and at the same time appreciative of the efforts expended. Evidence for this exists in the high level analysis undertaken by Chancellery of an end-of-semester well-being survey of students. MGSE students responded more positively than all other divisions on many measures, including the mean of all questions. MGSE students’ responses were also highest of all divisions for ability to manage study time, connection with other students, social support, and ability to manage stress and anxiety. These judgments by the student body reflect the immense amount of care taken by all of us in MGSE for our students and also for teaching as a professional academic undertaking.

John Quay with Genevieve Jordan