Author: Dana Bui
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Scaffolding learning: Putting principles into practice
Learn how to scaffold learning effectively with practical strategies that connect learning outcomes, expert insights, and student engagement. Discover how to align resources, build interactive activities, and continuously evaluate materials to create meaningful, future-ready learning experiences.
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Equity in Action
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration for Inclusive Teaching Practice As part of the Monash University Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Sharing Circle (EDI-SC), I collaborated with the group on the creation of Equity in Action, an online resource designed to move inclusive teaching from theory to practical application. The initiative stemmed from earlier work mapping the CDIO engineering framework…
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Scaffolding learning: From dependence to independence
Explore how scaffolding learning strategies help educators design structured activities that guide students from dependence to independence. Learn practical tips for aligning scaffolded tasks with clear learning outcomes, building student confidence through progressive complexity, and providing transparent instructions to boost engagement and success.
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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team secondment
Building capability through quality improvement In 2025, I was seconded to the DVC(E) EDI Team and led a project to review the educational design of the EDI program, including training and online modules. Initially, I felt motivated by the opportunity to shape a program that directly impacts equity, diversity, and inclusion outcomes. I began by…
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My ‘Hubs’
Central repositories of teaching and learning resources As a quality scoping project, when I began my role as an Educational Designer at Monash in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in 2017, I audited eighteen courses within the faculty. I did this to understand the quality and educational needs of the faculty. I…
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How to improve group work processes for equitable, engaging, and productive student collaboration
Group work often challenges students and educators alike, but with structured support and clear guidelines, it can foster crucial skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. This article explores strategies to scaffold group collaboration, such as co-creating group contracts, breaking tasks into manageable parts, early low-stakes assessments, and incorporating self and peer review to promote fairness…
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Teaching skills: Building rapport and facilitating engagement
Teaching is not about having all the answers but creating safe, engaging spaces where students feel comfortable to participate and learn. Building authentic rapport through humility, genuine confidence, and student-centered strategies is key to facilitating meaningful engagement. This post explores practical approaches for forming groups, managing silence, and giving impactful feedback that fosters connection and…
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Designing assessments that support student mental health: practical approaches for educators
Discover how thoughtful assessment design can significantly reduce student stress and improve mental health outcomes in university courses. This guide explores the power of workload management, scaffolded tasks, and compassionate policy application to foster resilience, self-awareness, and sustainable success for both students and educators.
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Normalising help-seeking: An inclusive curriculum for student mental health and resilience
Supporting student mental health is more than yellow shirts and cupcakes. This post explores actionable curriculum design strategies for normalising help-seeking, embedding self-regulation skills, and building resilience through meaningful assessment. Learn how educators can create inclusive, supportive learning environments that nurture student wellbeing, reduce stigma, and foster lifelong mental health skills.
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Authenticity, diversity, and sustainability: Good practice for online learning imagery
Purposeful, diverse, and ethically sourced images can play an impactful role in online course learning design by increasing student engagement, promoting representation and developing connections with content. While Creative Commons and public domain collections offer valuable resources, the careful selection of visuals, attention to authentic representation, and consideration of sustainability concerns are key to making…
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Beyond the equality tick-box: Real questions on gender equity in the workplace
This post critically examines the gap between gender equality policies and real workplace experiences. It asks hard questions about collaboration, leadership, and culture to move beyond superficial equality measures. Discover why workplace flexibility alone is not enough and how true inclusion requires shared responsibility and meaningful action.
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Beyond “We love AI”: Exploring the nuances of AI in teaching and learning
This blog post challenges the simplistic narrative of “We love AI” in education by exploring the complex realities of AI integration. It highlights the need for AI literacy among students to prevent misuse, the ethical considerations educators must navigate, and the limitations of AI-generated feedback. The post also reflects on the surprising ways AI can…
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