Statistical hydrology teaching using a blended learning approach

This chapter presents the delivery of an advanced statistical hydrology subject through the blended learning approach in Western Sydney University (WSU) as a part of the Master of Engineering degree. It has been found that blended learning is quite effective in delivering the contents of the subject to Master of Engineering students. The subject currently consists of a 5-hour face-to-face workshop and 11 pre-recorded tutorial sessions. The recorded tutorial sessions have been found to be the most useful element of this subject, as they have allowed a student to listen to the materials as many times as needed and at a time that is convenient to him/her. The preparation of a critical literature review has been found to be the most difficult task for the students. It has been found that a 5-hour workshop is inadequate to deliver the subject contents effectively to students, and hence it is proposed that a 2-hour lecture be delivered every week to answer students' queries and facilitate face-to-face engagement among the students themselves, and between the students and lecturer, to enhance learning of this subject. Furthermore, an intra-session and end-of-semester examination are proposed to evaluate student learning in the subject. This will make the blended learning approach more effective for the students of the advanced statistical hydrology subject in WSU in future years.