Below is a list of current research projects under the FLEX Program of Research Ethics Umbrella.
Click on the project titles to learn more!
School of Computing, Data and Mathematical Sciences
Cross-faculty study exploring project-based learning (#H15279)
The research project is an initiative of academics from Engineering and Design faculties at Western Sydney University and WSU The College. It will provide an opportunity for Western Sydney University and College staff and students to explore the advantages and the challenges of the project-based curriculum.
Chief investigator: Marina BelkinaThe College
Work Integrated Learning for Online Students (#H15191)
This research will help improve understanding of what kinds of online work integrated learning (e-WIL) students at The College would most value, how policies and procedures could be revised to best support students E-WIL activities, and what kinds of assessment designs, learning content and subject Learning Objectives would be most conducive to student participation in e-WIL activities.
Chief investigator: Dr. Jack IsherwoodSchool of Nursing and Midwifery
‘Virtual hangouts’: An evaluation and exploration of an online social support strategy. (#H14843)
The aim of the project is to explore student experiences of online social support sessions and its effectiveness on the student learning experience during new models of blended online learning. Additionally, to explore the effectiveness of the virtual hangout sessions in supporting first-year student transition into university by integrating literacy support, introduction to university services and subject coordinator assignment support sessions. The research question that will guide the study is “how can online platforms be utilized to provide social and transition support to improve students’ learning experiences and progression through their undergraduate program?”.
Chief investigator: Dr. Cris Algoso School of Science
Design, implementation and evaluation of an authentic final exam for Biochemistry students (#H15109)
This study aims to:
- Evaluate student performance in an alternative, authentic Biochemistry assessment.
- Evaluate whether perfomance in the final assessment correlates with performance in a scaffolded low stakes, intra-semester assessment.
- Determine if the assessment architecture is robust to changes that promote personalisation and academic integrity.
Chief investigator: Dr. Chris JonesHow did online learning affect mature-aged students in Clinical Pharmacology (NATS2008) at Western Sydney University during Covid-19? (#H15284)
Covid-19 provided a learning challenge. During Covid-19, mature students reported difficulties in navigating technology, especially during the online transition over the COVID period (lasting two years)This project investigates these issues using comparitive student data from before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief investigator: Dr Valentina NaumovskiSchool of Social Sciences
Learning with the WSU-Stride Online Art Therapy Student Clinic: Clinical Placements as Flexible Learning Experiences (#H15228)
As the literature review demonstrates, during three years of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, art therapy practitioners and researchers have begun to appreciate and critically examine what online learning environments offer to art therapy students as well as what online art therapy offers to clients. This project examines how placement in the Stride-Online Art Therapy Clinic affects the subjective experience of skills, work-readiness, professional identity, collegiality and social contribution, for Master of Art Therapy students placed in the clinic.
Chief investigator: Associate Professor Sheridan Linnell
