IComm and Melbourne Polytechnic - Revolutionising Auslan education with Yealink
A Vision of Education Reimagined
In 2024, Melbourne Polytechnic’s Collingwood campus emerged from a $40 million redevelopment backed by the Victorian Government’s Building Better TAFEs Fund. But this is more than just a modern campus.
At the heart of this transformation is Melbourne Polytechnic’s Auslan (Australian Sign Language) program, the only one of its kind in Victoria. The program is designed to better connect with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, offering more than just language skills but an understanding of the culture and history of the Deaf community. It’s a program that changes lives, and it's being brought to life in ways that go beyond traditional teaching methods.
"...For our AUSLAN teachers and students we needed a solution that was flexible. Enabling connection and collaboration to be as seamless as possible for our students both on and off campus, creating not just a connection to each other but also a connection to place and to the Collingwood campus redevelopment. The technology has achieved that, and its flexibility is setting a new benchmark for simplicity and inclusivity in the classroom, paving the way for a more accessible future," said Aaron Quarrell, Service Management & Digital Experience at Melbourne Polytechnic.
The newly revitalised Melbourne Polytechnic Collingwood campus, a hub for innovative and inclusive education.
Teaching Auslan in a Visual World
Imagine a world where learning to communicate means understanding every gesture, every expression, and every movement. For students in the Auslan program, visual communication isn’t just a method, it’s a cornerstone of learning.
This is where Yealink’s innovative boards come in. By integrating Yealink’s 65” and 86” Meeting Boards, Melbourne Polytechnic has introduced a new dimension to Auslan teaching, allowing students to engage with visual content in a more interactive and collaborative way.
Real-Time Interaction: Students can interact directly with visual content, signing and gesturing with their peers, creating a dynamic, unified and inclusive learning environment.
Hybrid Learning Accessibility: Whether students are on-campus or attending remotely, they’re not just watching, they’re actively participating, with clear, real-time visuals that ensure no one is left behind.
Multi-User Collaboration: The boards allow students to collaborate on projects and exercises in real time, reflecting the collaborative nature of communication in Auslan.
For students, the impact has been immediate. Remote learning, once perceived as disconnected, now feels seamless, like being in the same room and fully immersed in the learning experience alongside the instructor.
Classroom Designed for Dynamic Teaching.
Training That Makes an Impact – IComm Adopt + Innovate
A key component of this project was showing the students and instructors not only how to use the technology, but more importantly how this technology can assist their learning and enhance connection to the content.
Dan Polifiore (Adopt + Innovate Practice Manager) and Billy Colosimo (Account Director) were at the forefront of ensuring the best possible adoption and understanding by delivering in-person training sessions that allowed students to understand how the boards could aid their learning experience.
Through tailored, real-time training sessions supported by Auslan translators, we ensured students had the opportunity to not only explore the functionalities of the boards and their impact on learning but also to ask questions and gain deeper insights into how technology can transform their approach to education and cooperation.
"There’s something truly special about seeing students engage with the technology, and understanding how it can change the way they learn," said Billy, Account Director at IComm.
Looking to the Future
The revitalisation of Melbourne Polytechnic’s Collingwood campus shows just how impactful and inspiring technology can be when it’s put at the heart of education. By integrating Yealink’s Meeting Boards, Melbourne Polytechnic is not just teaching students a language, they’re giving them the tools to build relationships and create a more connected world.
At IComm, we’re driven by more than just technology, we’re committed to helping students and educators connect with the tools they need to succeed. Through focused training and a genuine passion for what we do, we strive to make learning more inclusive, accessible and intuitive. We look forward to continuing our work, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive, through our Adopt + Innovate program.
Let's Chat!
Phone: 1300 881 641
Email: hello@icomm.com.au
Yealink 65" in a Meeting Room.
