Current projects

Projects to Implement Design for Learning

DfL Projects funded for 2010

Applications for funding as DfL Special Projects in 2010 were assessed by a panel including two Deans and the DVC. The six projects that have received support are:

First Year Survival Guide
Dr Tania Blanksby will lead a project to further develop the very successful First Year Survival Guide already adopted by parts of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering. The Guide will be further developed to provide an adaptable framework which can be used across faculties, disciplines, and campuses.
Teamwork Learning Resources
Greg Jamieson (Faculty of Law and Management) and Meg Rosse (Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering) will be aiming to define a set of measurable, assessable learning activities that enable the development of the La Trobe “teamwork” capability. These learning activities will be designed to be embedded into any disciplinary context.
Quantitative Literacy Learning Resources
Professor Robert Staudte and Dr Liz Johnson from the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering will lead a multi-faculty and multi-campus team in developing adaptable teaching techniques and resources that can be used to promote quantitative literacy across various disciplines (addressing the numeracy/quantitative literacy graduate capability being adopted by four faculties).
Graduate Capabilities and Assessment through LMS/e-Portfolio
Becoming an independent, lifelong learner requires, among other things, highly developed self-reflection and self-assessment skills. A project team involving staff from Education, Health Sciences and Student Engagement will develop online prompts and activities to help undergraduates document, reflect on and self-assess their engagement in University life, as well as their progress in writing, speaking, critical thinking and the other graduate capabilities. These prompts and activities will be adaptable for use via the LMS and/or e-Portfolios and will be made available to all La Trobe courses.
Information Literacy Adaptable Online Learning Resources
Fiona Salisbury from the Library is leading a team to design, develop and pilot a First Year Success Indicator tool that will help academic staff determine the level of information literacy skills of commencing students and provide formative feedback to help those students needing to improve their skills.
Academic Integrity and Referencing Styles
A combined project led by Julianne East (LAS) and Anne Copland (Library) will develop online learning tools and resources which can be embedded into the curriculum to teach students the University’s approach to academic integrity and commonly used referencing styles. These adaptable online learning resources will also provide formative feedback to students where students don’t have the necessary understanding.

University-wide Design for Learning Tasks

All faculties will be working on the following implementation tasks in 2010. The actual timelines for completion of each task may vary between faculties, depending on work already completed and timing with other projects. For specific dates for your faculty, contact your local DfL Project Manager or the Associate Dean (Academic).

DfL Tasks 2010
2010 Design for Learning Tasks	Who's Responsible?	Who Can Assist?
Define Faculty Graduate Capabilities (FGCs) [FGCs include, but are not limited to, the six La Trobe Graduate Capabilities]	Associate Deans (Academic) Heads of School Course Coordinators	DfL Project Officer CTLC Liaison Academic staff
Define Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) at Faculty and Course levels [ILOs are what students can demonstrate they know and can do at a given point.]	Associate Deans (Academic) Course Coordinators Subject Coordinators	DfL Project Officer CTLC Liaison Academic staff
Set standards for student performance against ILOs at Cornerstone (first-year entry), Mid-Point, and Capstone (final year exit) [Standards will be set for three levels: minimum entry, satisfactory performance, excellent performance.]	Associate Deans (Academic) Course Coordinators Subject Coordinators	DfL Project Officer CTLC Liaison Academic staff Professional accrediting agency staff
Map course curricula backward from final year (exit) to first year (entry) [Mapping will identify where FGCs and course ILOs are taught, assessed, and where feedback for learning is provided.]	Associate Deans (Academic) Course Coordinators Subject Coordinators	DfL Project Officer CTLC Mapping Specialist
Develop diagnostic assessments and follow up for First Year (cornerstone) entry level	Associate Deans (Academic) Course Coordinators	LAS Staff CTLC Liaison
Design Faculty First-Year Experience	Associate Deans (Academic) First Year Coordinators	Student Engagement staff and Enrolment Mgmt staff
Design Cornerstone Elements of courses	Course Coordinators Subject Coordinators	DfL Project Officer CTLC Liaison
Prepare staff for new/revised roles	Associate Deans (Academic) Directors-Teaching & Learning	CTLC Liaison