A Vietnamese international student was involved in writing textbooks while studying for a master's degree in Australia.

A Vietnamese international student was involved in writing course syllabuses with other students while studying for a master’s degree in communications at Deakin University (Australia). That is Nguyen Ngoc Linh (25 years old), who has just completed her master’s degree in communications at Deakin University (Australia).

Nguyen Ngoc Linh shared the good news on her social media account Threads

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT

3 months to complete the draft of the curriculum

After 3 months of completing the course "Communication Concepts", Nguyen Ngoc Linh, a master's student majoring in communication at Deakin University, received an invitation to write the course's textbook. "I was surprised when Ms. Erin Hawley - the lecturer in charge of the course - invited me in September 2023. I had 3 months to complete the manuscript. By May this year, the book was published and put into use in the new school year. This is a rare opportunity for international students like me," said this international student. In this textbook, Ngoc Linh contributed a case study on the topic of identity in communication. "The content of the article was inherited and edited from the final essay of the course. For me, this subject was very abstract when I first started studying. So I believe that case studies will help students understand the content and requirements of the subject, as well as complete the assignments more easily," Linh said. Linh also shared that with a general and multicultural topic such as identity in the media, it is necessary to have an article that reflects the perspective of one's country to connect knowledge and absorb it better. During the writing stage of the textbook, Ngoc Linh could not help but feel worried and anxious. "Although I can do the assignment well, writing the textbook is a completely different matter. I am concerned that my presentation may not meet the academic standards and language style of the textbook. Besides, I have to recall the knowledge that was imparted 3 months before the time of writing to apply it to my article," Linh confided. According to Ngoc Linh, the difficulties were resolved thanks to the enthusiastic help of the instructor. Linh said: “As the main author, Ms. Hawley provided specific guidance on the requirements for writing the textbook related to language, citations, etc. She also gave me detailed feedback so that I could better understand the academic requirements and how to develop the content accordingly. I realized that my perspective was a unique point that could contribute to the value of the textbook.”

Ngoc Linh gives flowers to the main author at the course introduction ceremony

PHOTO: NVCC

13 co-authors are learners

Speaking to Thanh Nien , the main author of the course, Dr. Erin Hawley, Director of the postgraduate program in communication at Deakin University, said that the students were invited to contribute to the course because they came from many different fields. “Some students have been working as journalists, television producers or graphic designers. Each person’s specialized knowledge and cultural background becomes valuable when it is shared among students,” Dr. Hawley said. Regarding the “media concepts” course, Dr. Hawley said that this is a form of open educational materials (OER), in which the foundation is cooperation for educators and learners to inherit and adjust the content when needed. “It makes sense for a curriculum to include the perspectives of learners from multiple countries. This allows learners to understand from both their own and other cultural lenses. No one instructor can represent every culture and identity of their students, so if students only receive one instructor’s perspective, learning will not be effective,” Dr. Hawley added. To publish an open curriculum, Dr. Hawley said: “The author needs to write a proposal and have it approved by a subject expert. This is the same process that applies to open educational materials and commercial textbooks.” According to Dr. Hawley, OER is widely deployed in the world today.

Communication Concepts course has been put into use since September 2024

PHOTO: DEAKIN RESEARCH ONLINE

“OER is therefore not just happening at Deakin University or in Australia. OER focuses on benefiting students and improving their lives and experiences. Students can access OER online for free, thereby reducing the financial burden, compared to commercial textbooks, which are often very expensive,” Dr. Hawley informed. Collaborating with 13 student co-authors, Dr. Hawley said the working process went smoothly. According to Dr. Hawley, the key element of the collaborative process was clarity. “Students needed to be equipped with specific information and time frames. They also needed to be given autonomy in reviewing and editing their manuscripts. In addition, students were provided with information about the Creative Commons licensing system regarding copyright issues, as well as participating in a workshop on open learning resources and copyright organized by library staff,” Dr. Hawley said.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mot-du-hoc-sinh-viet-duoc-tham-gia-viet-giao-trinh-khi-hoc-thac-si-tai-uc-185241109100740115.htm