Dr James Vassie (he/him) is a Senior Education Designer in the Educational Innovation team within the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Portfolio at UNSW Sydney. With a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, James has eight years of experience applying his analytical and problem-solving skills to educational technology, focusing on how digital tools can support innovation in teaching and learning. 

Recently, James led the transformative Moodle Enhance project at UNSW, which introduced a new theme and a standardised course template across over 4,000 Moodle courses, co-designed with students, teachers, and support staff. This initiative significantly improved the overall user experience by ensuring consistency and accessibility in course design, making it easier for students to navigate and engage with their Moodle courses. By providing a unified structure, the project reduced cognitive load, allowing students to focus on learning rather than adjusting to different course layouts. 

In his presentation at MoodleMoot Australia 2024, Dr Vassie will share key insights from the Moodle Enhance project and provide an overview of UNSW’s Educational Technology Roadmap. This roadmap envisions a cohesive digital learning ecosystem with the LMS continuing to be a critical component. James will highlight the key role Moodle can play in this ecosystem, emphasising the need for adaptable solutions that ensure seamless user experiences, support assessments, and promote lifelong learning. He will also discuss how universities can adapt to the generative AI revolution.