Interactive and Integrated Timetable

Interactive and Integrated Timetable

Uma Palanisamy

Gen Z learners are hands-on, want to be directly involved in the learning process, and expect on-demand services that are available at any time with low barriers to access. The Monash Medical program follows a curriculum where four themes are integrated horizontally within each year and vertically across five years of study. It has an outcome-based focus and offers students a wide range of learning opportunities and learning resources. Moodle is an effective tool for channeling learning resources. It however requires multiple-logins, is non-seamless and unable to function as a timetable. This led to its compromised usage, lack of SDL, pre-class preparation and inability to integrate the various themes in the medical program. Hence the conceptualisation of the Interactive and Integrated timetable (IIT). IIT consolidates all learning resources and information into one repository. Lecture notes/recording, study guides, pre and post-reading material, zoom and attendance links can be accessed seamlessly via direct links to Moodle. Its features include synchronisation with Google calendar, personalised view of a student’s timetable in different formats, pop-up view of teaching session details, a drop-down expanded view of student grouping, type of session, discipline, learning objectives, personalised note entry and colour-coded teaching session. Most importantly, the integrated nature of the curriculum is clearly featured through the weekly and session learning objectives embedded in IIT. Furthermore, students are able to access their learning materials throughout their 5-year medical program, supporting vertical integration. IIT supports the current generation of self-directed and informal learners. Students’ feedback and continual recommendations for improvements in IIT have been extremely encouraging. Quantitative data suggests that IIT supports our students’ learning and ensures a conducive learning environment. It is foreseeable that IIT can be adapted to any undergraduate course which uses different teaching resources and methods, and at any education level.