Suburb as site : virtual collaborative learning for undergraduate photography

This paper describes a learning and teaching approach implemented in an undergraduate photography unit that is designed around a virtual collaborative experience. The approach was adopted several years ago and the process of continually refining the approach to enhance the student experience is outlined as are the benefits and challenges that have been encountered to date. The primary aim of the learning and teaching approach is to allow students to develop graduate attributes and technical skills that will prepare them to work in a contemporary media context – working in the virtual so as to understand approaches to developing and presenting work in the modern photography workplace. The approach also aims to engage and support students in a self reflective process where they examine the self and others focusing on aspects of contemporary culture and lifestyle, architecture and concepts of the home. Central to the approach is a virtual collaborative project where students are matched with partners to develop and present a cohesive virtual photography portfolio that contrasts their local environment: Suburb as Site. Finally, the paper describes the research project that is underway to enhance the collaboration matching process and evaluate the student experience. The research aims to contribute to improved staff understanding of the student experience with a view to further enhancing the learning and teaching approach.