General Introduction
Deakin University’s Warrnambool Campus was the venue for a crucial part of the Australia Awards Fellowships (AAF) 2023 Program for Fellows from Vietnam. This campus is notable for combining a modern learning environment with practical, out-of-classroom experiences, creating a friendly, focused space that helps Fellows develop professional expertise and practical skills.
On August 17–18, 2023, 10 Fellows from Vietnamese universities participated in a series of in-depth academic and practical activities at the Warrnambool Campus, accompanied by the Deakin University team and research students.
Objectives of the Warrnambool Program
The learning activities at Warrnambool were designed to achieve the following key objectives:
-
Provide knowledge and practical skills on advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Haptics technology, and STEM education.
-
Practice modern pedagogical methods, including Active Learning, the Flipped Classroom model, and Flipped applications in online learning.
-
Enhance experience in applying digital technology in education, specifically the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in English language teaching.
-
Reference the blended learning model being applied at Deakin and share research experiences from scholars and research students.
Program Implementation Team
The program at Warrnambool was implemented by a diverse team from Deakin University. The core team included: Associate Professor Wanty Widjaja and research student Thu Ha Bui.
The leadership representative was the Director of the Warrnambool Campus, Alistair McCosh. Direct instructors and experts included: Associate Professor Julianne Lynch, Krissy Hill, Dilshan Bataduwaarachchi, Will King, Jeffrey Skolnick, Carl Jones, Dr. Nick Palmer, Dr. Emma Charlton, and Leon Furze.
Organization and support were handled by Crystal Johnson (Receptionist) and Thao Mai. This team was responsible for academic guidance, organizing specialized workshops, mentoring, and supporting the Fellows in building their implementation action plans.
Main Program Activities
The in-depth learning program was organized over two days with a specific schedule:
August 17, 2023: Fellows traveled from Melbourne to Warrnambool and checked into the dormitory. A formal welcome ceremony was hosted by the Campus Director, Associate Professor Julianne Lynch, and the AAF team. Following this, Fellows participated in intensive workshops on: The application of virtual reality and haptics technology in STEM education; and The practical application of virtual reality in local indigenous reconciliation and historical recreation. In the afternoon, the delegation toured the city of Warrnambool and attended a welcoming dinner hosted by the Campus Director.
August 18, 2023: The day’s activities focused on modern pedagogy, including: practicing Active Learning methods, Flipped Classroom, and Online Flipped Learning. A specialized discussion revolved around language issues and English language teaching in developing countries. This was followed by a detailed presentation on Deakin’s blended learning model and an in-depth lecture on the application of Artificial Intelligence in English education. The program concluded with an experience-sharing session from research students before the delegation concluded the program and traveled back to Melbourne.
Outcomes and Importance of the Warrnambool Experience
The two-day program at Warrnambool yielded many important results and significance. The learning experience here provided a focused and hands-on environment, helping Fellows experience new educational technologies such as STEM, VR, and AI. This not only enhanced professional knowledge and practical skills in the fields of STEM education and digital transformation but also strengthened their ability to apply this knowledge to teaching in Vietnam.
More importantly, the program created opportunities for exchange and networking with lecturers, research students, and the local community, contributing to the development of an international academic network and preparing a solid foundation for Fellows to build and implement feasible and effective Implementation Action Plans for modern learning models in Vietnam.