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Monday, 29 August 2016

Anthropologist, film maker and UWA graduate Michelle Bunting has more than a few strings in her bow.

Now a Learning Technologist with the Centre for Education Futures (CEF), Michelle’s combining her passion for teaching and creative flair to investigate how video can be used to engage and inspire students at UWA.

“I studied at UWA as a young mature age student. Studying anthropology was everything I hoped for and more. I loved immersing myself in different cultures, learning to see the world from different perspectives.

“Following Honours in 2011, I stayed on to teach for the year. I was completely out of my comfort zone but I loved anthropology and wanted to share my passion for culture with students,” she says.

Michelle’s background also includes working in factual television.

“I attended film school (at the same time as my undergrad degree), and subsequently worked on SBS programs ‘ Who do you think you are ?’ and ‘ Shaun Micallef’s Stairway to Heaven’ .

“I would love to one day make cultural documentaries for the BBC,” she says.

In the meantime Michelle and the team at CEF are focused on supporting UWA staff deliver superior education through innovation and technology.

One new initiative for 2016 is mLearning month with events running from 2-30 September .

“Learning isn’t restricted to the classroom anymore, and we are really focused on enhancing the student experience by adopting and integrating new technology into teaching materials.

“Young people lead such mobile lives now so we need to provide a learning experience that is flexible and fits in with their demanding lifestyles.

“mLearning month is all about showcasing what mobile technology can offer the teaching environment, whether it’s through videos, apps or virtual reality. It’s definitely a new approach to learning and illustrates how UWA is adapting to the changing needs of our students,” Michelle says.

Michelle will put her filmmaking skills into action at her workshop on 29 September that will focus on the key steps for shooting high quality video using a mobile device.

“It’s all about building solid foundations so attendees feel confident shooting great video on their own. There are only a few places left but with enough interest we’ll hold more workshops.

“My colleague, Callan Rose, manages the CEF Media Rooms (available to all UWA staff) and has some great ideas on how video can be used to engage and motivate students to learn so hopefully he’ll also run workshops in the future.”

Michelle says that mLearning month provides a great opportunity to staff who want to learn more about using new technology in their teaching but don’t quite know where to start.

“People will be able to get a feel for the technology, be able to have a play with it and hopefully become more familiar and confident with using it in their own teaching practices.

“Events are filling up fast which is great to see, and I think shows there is definitely an appetite for learning about new technologies. It’s going to be a busy month but I’m looking forward to it,” she says.

Register for mLearning month events here .

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