I live on The Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. A recent course participant from the Melbourne area told me about the joy they experienced with online learning. Yes, the joy! Who would have thought it possible? It is interesting that many sticklers have explained to me how they prefer face-to-face learning environments and avoid online learning for various reasons. Their position may change when their living context changes.

My purpose here is to explain why I offer online courses. I am a teacher at heart. I have held other roles in the past, after starting my working life as a medical scientist, then secondary teacher, TAFE lecturer, head of school, university deputy dean, and small business owner.

I love to learn, and I love working out how to help other people to learn by determining the ways that work for them. I have taught at secondary, TAFE and tertiary levels. I was a perpetual part-time student for many years during my full-time working life. I designed and taught online TAFE health sector courses during the Covid-19 pandemic so that students could proceed with their work qualification studies. I am still up to date with new developments in vocational education, learning theory and practice, and online learning.

Of course, the online learning experience is different from face-to-face learning. It involves learning about using some home-based computer and video-conferencing technology. Also being mindful of the personal security and privacy concerns that might entail. However, it still involves a teacher or tutor gently leading, a group of individuals expecting to learn something new in an interesting way, and an agenda or objectives that set out steps in a logical way to achieve the learning.

The tutor, however, needs to be aware of the distinct difference between engaging adult participants and secondary school students to learn. I am careful not to call adult participants “students” but rather as participants, and I tend to refer to “sessions” rather than “classes”. Using secondary school terminology is somewhat of a putdown right from the start.

In my own case of offering online learning, I have a distinct group of participants in mind. While everyone is welcome to be engaged in my online sessions, I am acutely aware of what is occurring in society with respect to loneliness and social isolation. Some people quickly respond to me, “Well, they just need to get out more.” Unfortunately, it is not that simple if the people concerned are aged, immobile, ill, shut-in, shy, socially awkward, lonely, isolated, hurt, and feeling left out due to a clinical psychological event.

 

Adult social isolation and loneliness

 

In February 2024, Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) researchers encouraged communities to support older people better. A new report revealed the experiences and impacts of social and geographical isolation. Isolation can come about through a range of factors, including family conflict, illness, or reduced mobility, but the local community also plays a critical role.

 

Ageism and social stigma around the ageing process can lead to social isolation. If a person has limited contact with family and friends, neighbours, shopkeepers and strangers on the street, online contact opportunities could be the person’s only broader social contact for the day or even week.

If you are socially isolated or feeling lonely, it can put your physical and mental health at risk. Any adults who are lonely or socially isolated are less healthy, have longer hospital stays, are admitted to the hospital more often, and are more likely to die earlier than those with meaningful and supportive social connections.

 

Some people simply are not inclined to be comfortable with groups of people and find it easier to be online and, therefore, able to control the amount of interaction they can comfortably manage. It is possible to remain anonymous by keeping a web camera and microphone turned off. This is also quite useful if you have just come back from the dentist. It can be very desirable if you are not feeling very well and yet would benefit from some distraction on an interesting topic without advertisements.

Microsoft Teams video-conferencing

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                                   Click for video of online course and interaction

 

I am often asked why I don’t use Zoom, however many video conferencing services exist. Microsoft Teams is one of the most cybersecure videoconferencing providers whereas Zoom is a known data collection and data sales site.

 

I use Teams because I have a Microsoft small business account, and course participants benefit from full 24/7 technical support at no cost if they encounter technical difficulties.

 

I also provide a test session before any of my courses start. I provide one-to-one sessions if needed to help participants get set up and feel confident. Participants can maintain complete privacy and anonymity from the group if they prefer to. The Teams screen looks and feels like Zoom with all the added support of my Microsoft business account if we need it. It’s easy. Teams is another well-recognised, cybersecure way to provide online courses and video conferencing.

Online courses can be accessed from your desktop or laptop computer, smartphone, Apple iPad, or Android Tablet. People in hospital have joined my online courses using their smartphones. One occasion, a participant joined the group on their smartphone from their parked car between appointments.

If you don’t have an internet connection or computer, you and some friends could book time on a local library computer to engage with an online course. The benefit is that there would be someone available to assist you.

 

Hybrid Online courses

 

This is a service where an online course participant selects an online at home course and broadcasts it live on a TV or computer screen in their lounge room at home with friends in attendance. Participants can engage with other participants who are online via Microsoft Teams using their home computer. This is a great opportunity to meet people from afar who are interested in the same subject especially if you don't want to be involved with computers at all!

 

Why are my online courses offered at that time?

 

From my experience so far, I have learned that the best days for online courses are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and the best time slot is 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
I tried morning timeslots, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.; however, the enrolments were very low. I proceeded, however.

I am open to suggestions and negotiations. Maybe evenings and weekend courses are of interest to some participants?

 

Online course interest and enrolments

 

I will have successfully presented some 50 Online courses over 4 years. The enrolment numbers were quite diverse, ranging from 1 to 14, depending on the subject area, time and day offered. This is indeed a very positive outcome, especially in the formative year of 2021.

There was a very small attrition due to illness or changes in personal circumstances. There were repeat enrolments when participants found the initial experience different and a positive one. Of course, not all topics are attractive to the same participants. Some courses were developed as a direct result of participant requests. I also changed the names of some courses based on the participants' advice. This was another way of having them directly involved. I discovered that the “Science” course category meant “too hard” and have therefore introduced my category, "science for non-scientists".

 

Participant feedback

 

Who would have thought?

Jay, Highvale

 

Who would have thought that sitting through 8 weeks of classes on Albert Einstein would be so enjoyable? Through the expert guidance of Dr Bruce Watson, the class explored topics like: The Life of Einstein, Einstein’s First Wife, Einstein’s Brain and Big Idea, E= mc2, Theory of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

Enrolling in this online course, I was assured by Bruce’s words, ‘No prior knowledge of physics required.’ Using the medium of film, Einstein’s complicated physics concepts were explained visually to great effect. In between each two-hour session, Bruce always welcomed our comments, thoughts or questions. After a lesson, an online link to the films we had just seen was provided for us to review at leisure.

I finished this course with a greater understanding of Einstein the man, and the period of history in which he lived. As a lifelong pacifist, he looked on with horror when the
atomic bomb was developed using his equation E=mc2.

On the physics side, this course has partly filled the very wide gap in my scientific
knowledge. Being only able to grasp a little of Einstein’s theories and concepts does not actually make me feel small. Instead, it gives me a greater appreciation of this man’s great mind and genius. Anyone can be inspired by Einstein’s vast imagination and dogged perseverance as he worked on his theories. In his own words, Einstein the
philosopher said:

‘Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.’ ‘I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.’

 

Why I enjoy the method by which Bruce delivers his Online courses?
Siew, Highvale

 

I joined the 2023 online class Finding Psychology in Films. I found it to be a game-changer and was hooked from then on. Hence, in Terms 1 and 2 of 2024, I immediately enrolled in Thinking about Einstein, Surviving Silent to Sound Comedy and Appreciating the Art of Film.

Why do I enjoy the method by which Bruce delivers his courses? He incorporates a good mix of multimedia elements, theoretical research, real-world examples and interactive discussions. All these helps to ensure a well-rounded learning experience.

In the courses on Einstein and the Art of Film for example, he was able to distil complex concepts into digestible chunks. This was an effective approach to learning and made discovering the world of knowledge very engaging and enjoyable. I have gained a deeper
understanding of subjects new to me and developed an invaluable appreciation for them.
When I participated in the course on Laurel and Hardy in Silent to Sound Comedy, I saw the ingenuity of the famous duos with adult eyes. That to me, was a transformative journey.

Bruce’s passion for the subjects delivered through his courses, is palpable. The invaluable insights he offers in a rather unassuming manner, provide for an enriching session every time. I always come away from the Teams meetings inspired by fresh
ideas and knowing that I have invested two hours in something worthwhile.

 

Alternative to face-to-face classes
Peter, Geelong

 

Due to some health limitations, I decided to go with the online option.
Whilst using 'Teams' software can have its challenges [and limits face-to-face
interactions], I have really enjoyed Dr Bruce Watsons classes which have proved to be most enlightening.

Courses I am completing this term included:
•"What if faith was not a myth?" - understanding and questioning our belief systems,
•"Living science for non-scientists#2" - a system-by-system review of the human body,
•"Appreciating the art of film" - an examination of all major aspects of movie production, [keeping perhaps the best for last],
•"Facing off social media" - an analysis of the implications, both positives and negatives, of Facebook, etc.

 

Bruce sources some brilliant resources for these topics and includes an up-to-date website for reviews or re-runs.

 

For enquiring minds
Rita and Bill, Geelong

 

We learnt so much from Bruce’s wonderful variety of courses - they opened up whole
new worlds for us to explore on our own.

 

His research and knowledge of his subject and topic are outstanding. If he's asked a question during class that he can't answer immediately, he will do even more research and find the answer for you.

We would encourage anyone with an enquiring mind to join and participate in any of Bruce Watson's classes. You don't have to leave the warmth and comfort of your home and drive to classes, as they are all delivered online.

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