Models of Engagement: Key characteristics

Discover our three distinctive learning models designed to promote students as active participants in our learning community, each drawing on Charles Sturt University's strengths and regional focus.

These models are actively being refined through collaboration with university stakeholders. The characteristics outlined below represent our current framework, which will continue to develop as we progress through this initiative.

Our three Models of Engagement

Discover the models below by clicking each card to learn more.

In-Person Immersive

Learning that happens best when you’re there.

This model supports students who benefit from structured campus rhythms, immersive face-to-face engagement and supervised, practice-rich learning environments that build professional capability and community connection.

Fully Online

Online study that meets you where you are and supports where you’re going.

This model ensures accessibility, flexibility and robust assurance of learning without any requirement for campus attendance.

Combined

Learning designed around you, in the settings where learning works best.

This model supports students who value the flexibility of online learning while also benefiting from immersive, in-person learning experiences delivered through intensives or scheduled campus sessions.

Foundational elements for all models

There are 12 Foundational Principles that apply across all coursework award courses. Together, they articulate Charles Sturt University’s shared approach to quality, coherence and student success across every Model of Engagement.

Courses foster a culture of academic integrity through explicit development of ethical scholarship, responsible AI use and assessment design that reinforces integrity principles.

Courses are designed using Universal Design for Learning principles to ensure equitable access and participation for diverse students. Flexible learning pathways, culturally responsive practices, reasonable adjustments, and coordinated support services help all students succeed.

Culturally competent and safe practices are embedded across curriculum and assessment, guided by the Indigenous Cultural Competency Pedagogical Framework and developed in partnership with Indigenous staff and communities. First Nations knowledges are integrated respectfully and appropriately, with all content approved through required governance processes.

Assessment is intentionally designed, sequenced and aligned across the whole course to ensure cumulative capability development, robust evidence of learning and credible assurance of Course Learning Outcomes.

Learning environments - digital and physical - are accessible, secure, fit-for-purpose and supported by institutionally approved technologies and resources.

Timely, actionable and model-responsive feedback supports progression, builds evaluative judgement and strengthens students’ capacity to reflect and improve.

Students are supported through coordinated academic, wellbeing and career services, with low-stakes early diagnostics and intervention embedded across the lifecycle.

Teaching is informed by evidence-based, mode-appropriate pedagogies that foster engagement, relational connection and scholarly practice, with staff continually developing their teaching capability.

Opportunities for purposeful peer interaction and collaboration are intentionally designed to support belonging, engagement and learning.

Courses are intentionally designed within each Model of Engagement to ensure equivalent, not identical, high‑quality learning experiences. Model‑specific expectations are clearly communicated so students can make informed choices about how they study.

Transition is a continuous, lifecycle‑wide process supported through intentional curriculum design, structured scaffolding, and coordinated institutional supports. Guided by transition pedagogy principles, staff across the university play a shared role in helping students navigate key transition points and build preparedness for ongoing success.

Work-integrated learning is intentionally embedded and aligned with policy and accreditation requirements providing authentic professional experiences that develop capability, strengthen community contribution, and are supported through effective preparation, supervision and partnerships.

Fully Online

Your learning, your way

A flexible and supportive online learning experience that moves with you - designed to connect you with others, immerse you in purposeful learning and prepare you for your career, wherever you are.

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Course Structure

  • Entirely online across all course years.
  • At least 90% asynchronous workload, up to 10% planned synchronous.
  • No single-campus requirement.

Assessment & Feedback

  • Early assessments unweighted; programmatic feedback integrated.
  • Authentic, career-linked assessment twice yearly.
  • Secure authentication technologies as required.

Learning Experience

  • Strong teaching presence via sequenced interactions and media-rich content.
  • Focus on practical skills, industry relevance, peer collaboration, and cultural safety.
  • Tailored onboarding for digital confidence.

Staff Experience

  • Dedicated PD in online pedagogy and large cohort teaching.
  • Appropriate staff–student ratios for scalable online delivery.
  • Analytics to inform student progress and enable early intervention.

Technology & Access

  • Consistent LMS and collaboration tools.
  • Tools for virtual activities and simulations.
  • Embedded e-portfolios.
  • Inclusive design supporting diverse needs.

Support & Engagement

  • “Virtual campus” experience.
  • Dedicated online wellbeing program with proactive outreach.
  • 24-hour response to student queries.
  • Peer, course-based, and industry mentoring.
  • Virtual social events to counter isolation.

(HIDDEN)

In-Person Immersive

You have to be there

A connected in person learning experience where you learn face to face, build lasting friendships and professional networks, and gain real world experience that prepares you for your career — all in inspiring regional campuses and community settings.

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Course Structure

  • In-person learning across all years and levels of the course.
  • Max. 25% online enrolments (e.g. electives).
  • ESOS/CRICOS compatibility.
  • Single campus location with regional and community focus~3 hours weekly scheduled synchronous activity per subject (more for lab-based subjects).

Assessment & Feedback

  • Aligned assessment across in-person and online components.
  • Authentic, career-linked assessment with attendance incentives.
  • Twice-yearly programmatic assessment with e-portfolio integration.
  • Scaffolded feedback and professional skill documentation throughout the course.

Learning Experience

  • Practical, clinical, and place-based teaching aligned with accreditation requirements.
  • Peer collaboration, cultural safety, and professional skill development prioritised.
  • Experiential learning using specialised facilities and VR/AR/AI technology.
  • Cohort building and onboarding to foster academic skills and belonging.

Staff Experience

  • PD focused on in-person pedagogy and large cohort strategies.
  • Staff–student ratios appropriate to hands-on learning.
  • Analytics used for early intervention and personalised support.

Technology & Access

  • Consistent LMS and ed-tech tools with BYOD support, reliable Wi-Fi, and device charging.
  • Industry-leading facilities designed for sustainability and student-centred learning.
  • E-portfolios embedded for professional development.
  • Lecture recordings used with care, not a substitute for attendance.

Support & Engagement

  • On-campus wellbeing and community-based activities integrated into student life.
  • Library central to support delivery, plus informal learning spaces.
  • Industry mentoring embedded on campus.
  • Social events and community-based activities to foster connection.

Combined

Learn online, connect in person

A balanced and integrated experience that blends flexible online study with immersive in-person learning — supporting your progress, your connections and your career goals, wherever you are.​

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Course Structure

  • In-person during set teaching periods, plus online study (discipline specific).
  • ESOS/CRICOS compatibility as appropriate.
  • Single campus, with options for intensives, fieldwork, remote sites.
  • Blend of async materials,  scheduled face-to-face sessions and workshops.

Assessment & Feedback

  • Aligned assessment across in-person and online components.
  • Authentic, career-focused tasks.
  • Twice-yearly programmatic assessment with e-portfolio integration.
  • Scaffolded feedback and professional skill documentation throughout the course.

Learning Experience

  • Intensive workshops with practical, hands-on learning.
  • Online group work, projects, peer review.
  • Place-based and community-based learning.
  • Specialised facilities and immersive tech (VR/AR/AI).
  • Cohort building and onboarding for in-person elements.

Staff Experience

  • PD in both in-person and online.
  • Staff–student ratios as appropriate.
  • Analytics used for early intervention and personalised support.

Technology & Access

  • Consistent LMS and ed-tech tools.
  • Technologies to support appropriate practical learning in online components.
  • E-portfolios embedded for professional development.
  • Lecture recordings used with care, not a substitute for attendance.

Support & Engagement

  • Wellbeing program for both on-campus and online.
  • 24-hour response to queries.
  • Course mentors for all students.
  • Intensives and industry engagement to build community.
  • Proactive online wellbeing support.

Ready to learn more? (HIDDEN)

These models are designed to support diverse learning needs and teaching approaches. As we continue developing them, your feedback is invaluable. Contact us to discuss any of the models, share your thoughts, or explore how they might work in your context.

Contact us