24 Challenges and silver linings: Our reflections on delivering experiential learning online during Covid-19

Abstract

As four academics from the University of Sydney, we use a collaborative autoethnographic lens to share our reflections on the extraordinary challenges, and paradoxically, some 'silver linings', which resulted from our emergency online delivery of experiential learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our units, delivered in collaboration with Australian and international organisations, are project-based experiences for senior undergraduate students that explore real-world, complex problems. We critically reflect on how we transformed these Industry and Community Project Units (ICPUs) for delivery online, whilst endeavouring to retain their authentic experiential nature. The transformation included adapting to a range of digital and technical challenges, physical and sensory adjustments in our student-teacher interactions, and modifying our teaching approaches for the collaborative and transdisciplinary components of the ICPUs. We share our optimism in translating what we have learned for future experiential classrooms, as we advance with greater digital competence, resilience, and an enhanced appreciation for diverse communication channels with our students, industry, and community partners.