Educating: Online & Face to Face
Role: Create and deliver blogs, podcasts, online lectures, tours
In collaboration with University of Newcastle Australia, edX and Academy Travel
Drawing Nature, Science & Culture: NHI101x
I co-created and taught the Internationally Award winning online course, Drawing Nature, Science and Culture with colleague Dr. Andrew Howells. The popular course was offered through edX and has between 2017 - 2023 it has taught over 150,000 people, of all ages, from many countries. My goal when writing and delivering the content was to provide high quality teaching in a friendly and approachable manner.
Creative thinking
Our free online course includes 6 modules with animated how-to videos, easy to digest theory, conversational lectures, inspirational artworks, and a very active discussion board where students from around the world can encourage each other. Creation of the course included many creative problem solving moments and lots of out-of-the-box thinking!
Positive Student Reviews with a 5 star rating
10/10 Great course! Highly recommended! A really lovely way to engage with nature and enjoy seeing and drawing. Course content was really approachable and the course well-paced with good tuition. Tutors were really engaging and supportive. Well done - this is a great concept for on-line study!
10/10 Fantastic instructors and material. One of my favorite MOOCs so far. You end up learning how to draw accurately but also about the complexity and fascinating natural illustration field.
10/10 It was an eye opener in many senses. Being a well-planned course it brought out the most enthusiastic qualities from those taking part under the very competent tutors' instructional advice. The peer information and assessment was like gold dust with intriguing snippets of information and supportive comments and I would recommend this course to everyone who might consider taking part.
10/10 Wonderful introductory course, great content and clear instructions. Thank you to the wonderful lecturers, I loved the instructional videos they were easy to watch and so encouraging. Thank you to Newcastle University for making this opportunity available.
10/10 This course was fun, challenging and inspiring. The level of instruction was basic enough for a novice such as myself, but absolutely pushed me to my limit of ability. The modules were presented well and the instructors were encouraging and professional. I have learned so much in this course. Thank you for such a great course!!!!
2017 edX online course of the year
Our unique MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) taught observation and traditional drawing skills to thousands around the world. It was the first of its kind online to do this and we were awarded the very prestigious edX Online Teaching prize for our efforts.
edX CEO and MIT Professor, Anant Agarwal, recognised the significance of the win.
“We are delighted to present the University of Newcastle Professors Andrew Howells and Bernadette Drabsch with the edX Prize. The Drawing Nature, Science and Culture course is not only beautiful and creative, but it is also an incredible example of excellent and innovative course design and delivery. The course harnesses the power of learner focused online teaching techniques, effectively simulating the experience of the traditional face-to-face studio environment for learners all over the world. We are honoured to recognise Doctors Howells and Drabsch and we thank them for their dedication to the edX mission of increasing access to high-quality education for all learners, everywhere.”
Face-to-Face teaching and Field Trips
I lectured at the University of Newcastle between 2012 - 2022. In addition to on campus teaching, I organised numerous field trips and assisted with Work Integrated Learning opportunities for my students during this time.
Positive Student Reviews
· Dr Bernadette Drabsch is a passionate, organised and enthusiastic teacher, she has high expectations, that are clearly outlined and then teaches all the tools needed to achieve maximum results. She motivated the students with their diverse choice of subject matter for assignments by assisting each personally.
· Bernadette was a superb teacher, her enthusiasm for the subject was infectious and inspiring. She’s great at explaining things and was always available to provide guidance.
· Bernadette was always available to help us with any queries, her lectures were fascinating and inspired me to want to learn more, and I enjoyed every minute of this course.
· Bernadette is a brilliant teacher with a great deal of experience. She is well organised and makes the course very interesting and informative.
· Dr Bernadette Drabsch really is wonderful and I am very grateful to have her lecture in this subject.
· Really great course, I learnt so much. I think Bernadette brings out the best in people, makes us want to produce our best work for her.
. Bernie is exceptionally well organised, always available to help and clearly knows exactly what this process looks like in the real world.
· Bernadette is an excellent and knowledgeable teacher. I would love to enrol in more courses with her. Overall this subject is so important for developing the way I think about Indigenous culture and history. I feel like I’ve grown as a member of the community because of it.
· I haven’t experienced a course that combines creativity and cultural awareness at the same time until this one. I found it very interesting and rewarding.
· I would like to congratulate Bernadette Drabsch for an extremely well run and satisfying course. The field day at Baiame Cave was brilliant and the subsequent classes were enlightening. I think we are so lucky to have someone of Bernadette’s calibre to teach in this field. She is world class.
Online lectures, blogs & tours
Since mid-2023 I’ve been delivering online lectures and writing blogs for Academy Travel. These focus on ancient art and female histories.
Tales of Trailblazing High-Country Women — Academy Travel | Tailored Small Group Journeys
I also lead history-based tours for Academy Travel within Australia, the Mediterranean and Near East.
Tour Leader | Dr Bernadette Drabsch — Academy Travel | Tailored Small Group Journeys