Maximizing Student Engagement with SIM Hybrid Plus Classroom
On 21 March, the Academic Development team, together with Theatre & AV Services (TAVS)
colleagues (Ethan Teh Kay Wee and Eugene Nathan), demonstrated various features of the new
Hybrid Plus Classroom. Program leaders from UOL, RMIT, UB and SIM participated in this 2-hour
session. The extensive demonstration showcased all the technical features the room has to offer.
colleagues (Ethan Teh Kay Wee and Eugene Nathan), demonstrated various features of the new
Hybrid Plus Classroom. Program leaders from UOL, RMIT, UB and SIM participated in this 2-hour
session. The extensive demonstration showcased all the technical features the room has to offer.
End of 2022 saw the launch of SIM’s latest addition in on-campus facilities: the Hybrid Plus
Classroom. With a roving camera, ceiling microphones and speakers, extra monitor for the lecturer,
a digital whiteboard, and an integrated Zoom system, this Seminar Room in B block offers the latest
in technology for an inclusive hybrid learning experience. In a hybrid class, the lecturer
simultaneously teaches students who are physically present in the classroom, as well as students
who attend the same class online. This hybrid teaching offers a solution to students who are
incapable of coming to class physically, e.g.: due to illness, visa issues, or unforeseen circumstances.
TAVS colleagues Ethan and Eugene demonstrate the use of the incorporated zoom system.
On 21 March, the Academic Development team, together with Theatre & AV Services (TAVS)
colleagues (Ethan Teh Kay Wee and Eugene Nathan), demonstrated various features of the new
Hybrid Plus Classroom. Program leaders from UOL, RMIT, UB and SIM participated in this 2-hour
session. The extensive demonstration showcased all the technical features the room has to offer.
One of the main benefits is the improved audio and visual experience for the students, due to the
camera, speakers and microphones and the crystal-clear images from the digital whiteboard.
RMIT Academic Director Prof Mark King & UB Resident Director Dr Kevin McKelvey,
Associate Dean Dr Zhang Jianlin and team experiencing the hybrid classroom.
In addition to the technical specifics, AD team lead Laura Visser facilitated the discussion to highlight
the pedagogical principles underpinning effective classroom practices in a hybrid environment.
While many lectures have experience in fully online classes due to the pandemic and circuit breaker,
hybrid teaching is a different case altogether as one balances the need of online and on-site students
simultaneously. The Hybrid Plus Classroom offers all the features to reduce the strain on the lecturer
and focus on delivering content effectively across the different mediums. For example, with the
improved audio, questions from classmates can be heard clearly by those joining online, as well as
questions or comments from the online students can be heard clearly by those joining on-site. This
can facilitate a group discussion that includes the students joining online. AD team lead, Dr Chong
Fui Chin prepared Jam Boards to demonstrate the possibility to annotate slides or worksheets,
making the content clearer to all students as the lecturer explains. With inputs from experienced
academic Dr Eunice Tan, additional tips, and tricks to better engaged students were shared.
The session concluded with an engaged discussion on classroom practices, pedagogical approaches,
and support required for lecturers to maximize the features in the Hybrid Plus Classroom. Key
takeaways include:
Classroom. With a roving camera, ceiling microphones and speakers, extra monitor for the lecturer,
a digital whiteboard, and an integrated Zoom system, this Seminar Room in B block offers the latest
in technology for an inclusive hybrid learning experience. In a hybrid class, the lecturer
simultaneously teaches students who are physically present in the classroom, as well as students
who attend the same class online. This hybrid teaching offers a solution to students who are
incapable of coming to class physically, e.g.: due to illness, visa issues, or unforeseen circumstances.
TAVS colleagues Ethan and Eugene demonstrate the use of the incorporated zoom system.
On 21 March, the Academic Development team, together with Theatre & AV Services (TAVS)
colleagues (Ethan Teh Kay Wee and Eugene Nathan), demonstrated various features of the new
Hybrid Plus Classroom. Program leaders from UOL, RMIT, UB and SIM participated in this 2-hour
session. The extensive demonstration showcased all the technical features the room has to offer.
One of the main benefits is the improved audio and visual experience for the students, due to the
camera, speakers and microphones and the crystal-clear images from the digital whiteboard.
RMIT Academic Director Prof Mark King & UB Resident Director Dr Kevin McKelvey,
Associate Dean Dr Zhang Jianlin and team experiencing the hybrid classroom.
In addition to the technical specifics, AD team lead Laura Visser facilitated the discussion to highlight
the pedagogical principles underpinning effective classroom practices in a hybrid environment.
While many lectures have experience in fully online classes due to the pandemic and circuit breaker,
hybrid teaching is a different case altogether as one balances the need of online and on-site students
simultaneously. The Hybrid Plus Classroom offers all the features to reduce the strain on the lecturer
and focus on delivering content effectively across the different mediums. For example, with the
improved audio, questions from classmates can be heard clearly by those joining online, as well as
questions or comments from the online students can be heard clearly by those joining on-site. This
can facilitate a group discussion that includes the students joining online. AD team lead, Dr Chong
Fui Chin prepared Jam Boards to demonstrate the possibility to annotate slides or worksheets,
making the content clearer to all students as the lecturer explains. With inputs from experienced
academic Dr Eunice Tan, additional tips, and tricks to better engaged students were shared.
The session concluded with an engaged discussion on classroom practices, pedagogical approaches,
and support required for lecturers to maximize the features in the Hybrid Plus Classroom. Key
takeaways include:
- Being intentional to reduce the burden of participation for students.
- Strategy to break the wall of silence is dependent on learning culture and student mindsets.
- Shared practices across university partners programs hold promise to elevate student engagement.