Ep79: Minh Huynh, Learning Experience Designer

In this episode we chat about Minh’s early inspiration from a high school chemistry teacher, leading to studies in medical science at Sydney University and further research in biology and cancer. Minh shares some of the challenges of being ‘first-in-family’ as well as the opportunities, complications and struggles in completing honours research and a PhD. We explore the significance of taking a career pause and the benefits of a career change. Minh shares her positive experiences with music, creativity and singing, which offered a break from the intensities of research and academia. We find out more about Minh’s move away from medical research and towards learning and teaching. Minh outlines how she flipped face-to-face teaching approaches to online during the global pandemic with the central question: How do we design learning resources that are going to work for the needs of students? Minh outlines her ‘third space’ academic role and how she co-designs learning resources with academics and students and supports and enhances the student experience, including activities involving generative Artificial Intelligence tools (AI). Minh reflects on the pressures and obligations when student follow a prescribed path, in contrast to modes of learning with broader, more creative boundaries. Minh emphasises the value of connecting with people, building community and encouraging a sense of belonging and the role of curiosity and openness to new ideas and connections. Minh aims to foster student’s unique voice, a ‘why-does-this-matter?’ approach, and a love and enjoyment of learning, particularly in transitional times, in an era of AI and rapid change. Here’s my conversation with Minh Huynh. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minh-d-huynh/ Transition program: https://educational-innovation.sydney.edu.au/teaching@sydney/transition-to-university-2023-update/ Transition + biology: https://educational-innovation.sydney.edu.au/teaching@sydney/bridging-first-year-barriers-fostering-belonging-in-the-biology-learning-space%e2%80%af/ Cogniti feedback agent: https://educational-innovation.sydney.edu.au/teaching@sydney/navigating-biology-with-ai-transforming-first-year-learning-with-socratic-tutoring-and-improved-feedback/ How to put a rubric in system message: https://cogniti.ai/docs/how-do-i-put-a-rubric-or-other-table-into-the-agent/ Presentation about the Cogniti feedback agent with a demo at 01:29: https://youtu.be/7DtRwO6QWLA AI in education Canvas site co-designed with students, it's an open site so anyone should be able to access it: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/51655