A perspective on supporting STEM academics with blended learning at an Australian university

Rachael Hains-Wesson
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Russell Tytler
Deakin University, Australia

Design-based educational research can aid in providing a lens into understanding the complexities around imaginative methods, while also creating an avenue to share personal insights to support the solving of teaching and learning problems to direct future efforts. In this study, the 'I' narrative was extensively utilised in the form of an autoethnography perspective. This was achieved by incorporating three self-report methods within a design experiment, in order to explore the messiness associated with showcasing the creation and modification of a faculty-wide blended learning framework for STEM teachers. Data generation procedures from three sources provided the evidential basis for investigating this process: (1) self-reflection, (2) key literature findings, and (3) critical discussions from a community of inquiry. The findings identified three particular features of the process of change that were challenging, for which STEM academics required support: educators' professional context; finding models to support change in practice; and identifying the change agent. The paper argues for the program of a personal and complex methodology to inform practice, providing insights into the change process, because process is just as important as product.

STEM

The rapid growth in online teaching across the Australian university sector (Fletcher & Bullock, 2015) and the requirement to enhance the delivery of all STEM subjects sees blended learning as a positive option for such improvement (Marginson, Tytler, Freeman & Roberts, 2013; Picciano, 2009; Torrisi-Steele, 2011). For more than a decade, blended learning was judged as "all pervasive in the training industry" (Reay, 2001, p. 6). The members of the American Society for Training and Development have also argued that blended learning was one of the top emerging trends in the knowledge delivery industry (Finn, 2002). However, the term blended learning can mean different things to many people. Torrisi-Steele's (2011) definition states, "blended learning aims to enrich student-centred learning experiences made possible by the harmonious integration of various strategies, achieved by combining f2f [face-to-face] interaction with ICT [information communications technology]" (p. 366). This is a useful definition, because of the emphasis on the "harmonious integration" of ICT into the face-to-face learning environment. Torrisi-Steele's (2011) work also suggests three dimensions for creating an effective blended learning model:

• The learning experience: learner-centred experiences that lead to active participation, addressing diversity of needs among learners, supporting learners to take a deeper approach to learning;
• The strategies: constructive alignment regarding the learning, outcomes, teaching methods, assessment tasks and a focus on a universal design that is flexible with variation in learning environments; and
• The tools used to implement the strategies: ICT to implement and improve innovation (p. 366).

Deakin University

• provide and support a faculty-wide blended learning framework to improve practice, and;
• provide and support teaching staff to implement 'best' practice models in blended learning for lectures, laboratories and practicals.

Background

Throughout my time as a blended learning specialist, I was continually reflecting on self, other, and context, and began to value the recognition of myself as a subject of the research (Dyson, 2007), and a researcher within the research. For example, I found that one of the main challenges for STEM academics was the dichotomy between the values associated with research output, versus the importance of implementing instructional change. On the one hand, to assist academics to improve instruction, Deakin University's LIVE 2020 Agenda (2014a) advocated for every faculty to complete a university-wide Course Enhancement Process by 2016 (Deakin University, 2014b). The program aimed to harness the capabilities of blended learning that used technology for the purpose of student engagement. It was a university-wide collaborative effort between faculty members in each school, and focused on enabling graduates to become highly employable through course experiences that were personal, relevant and engaging wherever learning took place (on campus, in the cloud, or in industry settings). On the other hand, the faculty's research culture encouraged STEM teachers to pursue discipline-specific research and funding outputs for promotion and tenure. The opposing interests did not sit side-by-side so easily.

Further, SEBE's organisational structure was such that it was common for teaching and learning projects to operate within a top-down decision making culture - an organisational system that commonly operates within the higher education sector, especially when technological-driven initiatives are being implemented at a university-wide level (Hains-Wesson, Wakeling & Aldred, 2014). Usually, this type of operational style is implemented due to limited finances, resources and time. As an alternative, Slade, Murfin & Readman (2013) advocated a middle-out approach, where mid-year career academics, professional staff and learning designers work together (as teaching and learning champions) to showcase good practice in order to influence instructional change over a longer period of time. However, this particular style was not always achievable in SEBE's context of operation, because of the need for urgent results via the university-wide Course Enhancement Process.

In a similar study (Hains-Wesson, et al, 2014) at a different university, my colleagues and I explored the challenges of operating within a top-down decision making model, which was similar to SEBE's. We discovered that functioning effectively as academic support staff, while being responsible for strategic initiatives within a multi-faceted system (Hains-Wesson et al, 2014, p. 156), presented pedagogical uncertainties, a circumstance demanding further investigation.

Therefore, this study, first describes and shares (via the 'I' experience) my practitioner's journey as the blended learning framework was being developed and modified within SEBE's teaching and learning environment. Second, I interpret and analyse personal learnings, understandings and experiences around the pre-, during and post-design of the model in order to share my insights with those who operate in similar contexts (Reeves, et al, 2011; Wozniak, et al, 2012). The following research questions guided this qualitative, design-based inquiry.

1. What changes, growth and understanding have occurred within my role that has fed into the provision of the blended learning process?
2. What understandings have impacted on the refinement of the process leading to the development of the blended learning model within the design experiment?

Methodology

A further complicating factor was that STEM academics were implementing blended learning at differing levels already, and had different learning and teaching needs. I chose a design experiment that incorporated self-report methods because the methods were open, involved reflection that was based on a personal venture (Mooney, 1957), and were cyclic in nature while bridging theory with practice (Dyson, 2007; Opie, 2004). Design experiment and self-report methods allow teachers to be researchers and observers (Lincoln & Denzin, 1994; Lincoln & Guba, 1985), to directly contribute to their own self-realisation (Mooney, 1957). This is for the reason articulated by Bakker (2004), "if you want to understand something you have to change it, and if you want to change something you have to understand it" (p. 37). However, Zeichner and Noffke (2001) cautioned that researchers who use such perspectives and methods might become limited by their preconceptions, because it is difficult to avoid bias towards self-validation. However, others have acknowledged that such research thinking and practices strengthen educational discourse, and support change in curriculum and pedagogy that can improve the quality of students' learning experiences (Barab & Squire, 2004; Ruthven, 2005).

Method

Figure 1: The design experiment cycles as suggested by Nieveen & Folmer (2013, p. 159)

The self-report method also helped me to understand the internal 'going-ons' within the design experiment, which were often messy in nature. A highly useful way of documenting and exploring the 'messiness' that was associated with such a complex methodology, namely reflection on self, other, and context around organic moments of discovery, which occurred in the present, continuously and/or retrospectively (see Table 1). Additionally, this process enabled me to navigate effectively and focus on personal understandings and those of my colleagues who operated within a top-down decision making culture. This in turn, helped me to create alternative avenues in order to work effectively with STEM academics who were often at the coal face for change, relying on initiatives and support to occur at the macro level. Table 1 illustrates how the key reflective strategies within the self-report method corresponded to the design experiment's cycle phases in terms of its inner, middle and outer circles (see Figure 1). To help explain this further, I have numbered (1-6) the key 'I' narratives as reflective strategies alongside the inner, middle and outer circles that are associated with the design experiment phases, which are depicted in Figure 1.

Hamilton and Pinnegar (1998) pointed out that self-report studies which use a similar process, "involve a thoughtful look at texts read, experiences had, people known and ideas considered" (p. 236). In the case of this study, this included "note-taking, memory work, narrative writing, observation and interview" (Hamilton, Smith & Worthington, 2008, p. 22), and formed the main data generation processes. Essentially, the methods allowed for a systematic approach to data collection, analysis, and interpretation about self, other and context (Ngunjiri, et al, 2010), which aided in developing and/or modifying the blended learning model. I discuss each data generation process in more detail in the following section.

No.	Key reflective strategies according to Fletcher and Bullock (2015)	No.	Key design experiment stages according to Nieveen & Folmer (2013)
1	Being aware of my self-focused perspective	1	Outer-circle: Design research
2	Improving my understanding of self and my practice	2	Outer-circle: Design research
3	Reflections	3	Inner-circle: Research - analyse, evaluate, reflect
4	Literature findings	4	Inner-circle: Research - analyse, evaluate, reflect
5	Community of inquiry: critically informed discussions and feedback	5	Mid-circle: Construct, refine, continuing design, and design
6	Reflections, community of inquiry and literature findings	6	Mid-circle: specified design principles, refined design principles, final design principles, tentative design principles

Data generation

Reflective practice

STEM research: literature on blended learning in STEM

A community of inquiry (or a community of practice)

Data analysis

Results

1. My understanding of STEM educators' learning styles;
2. Alternative ways to share blended learning information, and
3. Developing my personal identity as a blended learning specialist and researcher (see Table 2).

Turning Point One: My understanding of STEM educators' learning styles

Self-report data generation (phase 1 and 2)	Theme	Turning point
Self-reflections: He/she does not necessarily want to chat about everything with me - just the basic stuff, like setting up their rubric in the learning management system. He/she wants to learn away from me, come back another time - sometimes he/she doesn't come back at all. He/she came and talked to me. We talked about blended learning, their ideas and how I can support them in order to put them into practice. This was a great outcome. We have some plans now. Literature: STEM educators often seek to optimise their time for discipline-specific research rather than focusing on the improvement of their teaching practice (Fairweather, 2008; Fairweather & Paulsen, 2008). To meet these new standards (improved instruction) it is a daunting enterprise requiring large-scale professional development (PD) of high quality that is adaptable across myriad contexts (Wilson, 2013). STEM educators value PD activities that are close to practice (Penuel, Fishman, Yamaguchi & Gallagher, 2007). Peer feedback: Try to work with educators who are interested in teaching and learning. [The model] will only probably be looked at by those already doing good practice anyway. Others [the uninterested] will take longer - don't give up - it's just better not to wait, that's all.	My understanding of STEM educators' learning styles and the pressures they face - a variety of ways to provide buy-in for instructional change	STEM educators desire professional development that is discipline-specific and easy to implement so that they can spend time on their research
Self-reflections: They don't seem to understand how important it is for me to talk, chat, and discuss this area with large groups of faculty members. I want to get the blended learning message across - that I am here to help - it is frustrating to only ever communicate with the converted. I think it is better to have a philosophy of blended learning - flexibility is the key. In the last twelve months, I have only presented once to a school on blended learning and even then my presentation was cut in half due to someone else going over their presentation time. Literature: Instruction is best designed to meet the needs of a variety of learners (Picciano, 2009). It's best to focus on content knowledge, opportunities for active learning and coherence with other learning activities (Garet, Porter, Desimone, Birman & Yoon, 2001). It is 'safe' to employ online PD, in light of concerns about what might be given up by face-to-face PD (Herold, 2013). Peer feedback: He/she gave a great presentation. He/she always knows just what to say to the difficult ones. I find it difficult answering those tricky questions by painful staffs who don't want to change anyway. Did you see his/her face [dislike] when he/she said: giving student feedback as a cycle of learning is just as important as the content!	The need to work in ways consistent with STEM educators' learning styles - using online models are about STEM educator's learning styles and how they will influence the delivery of professional development, resources and/or models	Finding new ways to present blended learning information that suits the teaching and learning culture for STEM educators
Self-reflections: I get excited when I see educators exchanging roles with me such as when they start telling me all the great things that they are doing in their unit to engage students more. I feel nervous and anxious when I have to think about delivering support for staff to develop eManuals for science laboratory learning, because the literature isn't clear yet - do students' really desire and want this type of blended learning, and if so why? I am always perplexed about understanding the 'best practice' for teaching hard core science, maths and technology in practicals - it's not my area of expertise! I need to be more open. Literature: Change is difficult in higher education: less risk taking and the inquiry required for change to occur (Cohen, 1988). The place to begin to make immediate and measurable change is at the course level (Sunal et al., 2001). Research indicates faculty members are interested and have positive attitudes toward the use of instructional consultation on a personal basis (Sunal et al., 2001). Peer feedback: We need to communicate more within our group, especially if you're working with staff one-on-one. I think it is important to get staff who have implemented something new in the learning and teaching to then showcase what they have done. Scholarship of teaching and learning - it is your thing. Can you do this more? We need to get them wanting to do research in this area. If you use their ideas then invite them to be co-authors with you.	Developing my professional identity as an individual, a team member and researcher in the area of blended learning	The development of the blended learning model will be influenced by my teacher's identity in terms of leadership, skills, and self-efficacy

For example, a simple approach to an educator's learning and teaching requirement, such as placing a rubric online, allowed for doors to be opened for later supportive opportunities, "he/she does not necessarily want to chat with me [about blended learning]É just the basic stuff like setting up a rubric" (see Table 2). At times, STEM academics required help, but only after they had purposely tried-out innovations themselves, and away from me. Once this pattern had repeated itself a few times with good results, I found that academics often dropped-in for 'just-in-time' support and/or phoned, emailed or made an appointment to see me face-to-face, such as: "thanks for the discussion today about using video for student feedback. I will get back to you if I have any trouble" (field note entry, 2015). When an academic felt confident to discuss the faculty's approach to blended learning, the conversations lasted for some time, were robust, informative and a two-way problem solving event. Additionally, the community of inquiry often talked about problematic conversations that had occurred with particular staff who were struggling with making changes in their teaching practice and/or course curriculum design work. Advice was readily shared between members of the community of inquiry in order to boost self and team confidence, such as "don't give up - it's just better not to wait, that's all" (see Table 2).

Turning Point Two: Working in ways consistent with STEM educators' learning styles

This led to providing the blended learning framework via an online format so that academics could access it anywhere and at any time. Figure 3 shows the blended learning model as an artefact (see https://youtu.be/2YGkfBSfO58 for more detail). There were three main reasons for presenting additional information pertaining to the blended learning framework via an open access resource such as YouTube. First, it allowed academics to view and explore the resource in their own time, and as long as they had Internet access, because instruction is best designed to meet the needs of a variety of learners (Picciano, 2009). Second, I found that it was important to realise that it was safe to employ online professional development strategies when options were limited (Herold, 2013).

Figure 2: Blended learning model for STEM for improving practice and instructional change
(see https://youtu.be/2YGkfBSfO58 for a full explanation)

Turning Point Three: Developing my professional identity

I came to understand my practitioner's identity in a STEM-centric faculty as both positive and negative. For example, I found myself trying to refine a process while working with others and receiving external (feedback) information that then required a further refinement of the model. In many ways, I was struggling with knowing how instructional change works as a general concept versus a STEM-centric way of doing things. As a consequence, I was ascertaining a new way of working where I felt torn between supporting academics at a course level versus supporting the individual without extensive knowledge of STEM subjects, because the majority of my opportunities to support STEM academics were at a one-on-one and/or just-in-time support level. Sunal et al. (2001), advocated that faculty members are interested in just-in-time approaches, because these are more personal, noting that change is always difficult. As I became more confident in this area, "it is your thing. Can you do this more" (see Table 2), I felt I had finally turned a corner. I had something worth offering staff compared to my original perspective, which was based on intuition, personal perceptions and feeling stuck when operating within a top-down decision making culture.

Discussion

Stronger forms of collaboration are important in developmental research aiming to define good practice in teaching and learning because of the centrality of practitioner knowledge and thinking in realising such practice. (p. 424).

1. Multiple underlying pressures exist for STEM academics that impact instructional change;
2. STEM academics' working culture and the faculty's decision making culture impact the work of support professionals;
3. It is important to find new ways to engage with the unengaged;
4. My identity as a professional blended learning support academic impacts change, and;
5. In learning about and communicating how to institute a blended learning model, the process was just as important as the product.

Conclusion

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Authors: Dr Rachael Hains-Wesson is a Senior Lecturer in Work-Integrated Learning, Student Advancement at Swinburne University of Technology. She specialises in the following teaching and research areas: blended learning for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), reflective practice, work-integrated learning, creative and performance writing. Rachael has received numerous accolades for her work in the areas of work-integrated learning, performance arts, learning and teaching. Email: rhainswesson@swin.edu.au Web: http://www.rachaelhainswesson.com Russell Tytler is Professor of Science Education at Deakin University. He has researched and written extensively on student learning and reasoning in science, and science investigations. His interest in the role of representation in reasoning and learning in science extends to pedagogy and teacher and school change. He researches and writes on student engagement with science and mathematics, and STEM policy. Email: russell.tytler@deakin.edu.au Web: http://www.deakin.edu.au/profiles/russell-tytler Please cite as: Hains-Wesson, R. & Tytler, R. (2015). A perspective on supporting STEM academics with blended learning at an Australian university. Issues in Educational Research, 25(4), 460-479. http://www.iier.org.au/iier25/hains-wesson.html