Shadow Education Minister visits VU

Labor Government deputy leader The Honourable Tanya Plibersek, gave Victoria University’s new high-tech learning and teaching space, the HIVE, a thumbs-up during her visit to VU yesterday.

After meeting with Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Dawkins AO, the Shadow Minister for Education met with VU students and alumni to hear their stories of how education has opened doors for them.

As one of the first visitors to the HIVE, Ms Plibersek witnessed blended learning demonstrations used at VU, including examples of Victoria Polytechnic’s interactive games that recently received top honours in the LearnX Impact Awards.

The HIVE, featuring two studios of dancing robots, 3D printers, iPads, and virtual reality equipment, is based at VU’s Footscray Park Campus.

It will support VU educators to make the most of new technologies at a time of fundamental change in the way the university is delivering its courses.

Starting next year, VU will offer a First Year Model, an Australian-first in the way education is offered to first-year students. Among other features, students will work collaboratively in small groups and with technology to develop key transferable skills such as problem-solving, creativity, digital literacy, and critical thinking that are increasingly in demand by employers for university graduates.

The HIVE Program Manager Dr Stefan Schutt said the facility will use research and evidence to design its activities and facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas.

“We want the HIVE to establish itself as a visible, attractive and welcoming space for teachers to play, share and learn,” he said.

Director of VU's Connected Learning, Trish McCluskey said the HIVE will focus on engaging educators in connected, collaborative and creative learning design and development.

Note: As of 2021, the blended learning model is now known as the interactive e-learning model.