Global Utilities

Faculty of Education, Bundoora

Academic Staff Profiles

Dr Wan Ng  

Senior Lecturer

Co-ordinator, Postgraduate Research

Faculty of Education

Bundoora Campus
Education 1 Building, Room 332
Phone: +61 3 9479 2782
Fax: +61 3 9479 3070
Email: w.ng@latrobe.edu.au

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Qualifications

BSc (Melbourne) BSc(Hons) PhD (Monash) DipEd (Monash)

Background

Prior to teaching Wan gained a PhD degree in Biochemistry at Monash University and undertook postdoctoral research work for about three years in the same department. In her 10 years (spanning all of the 1990s) of teaching at secondary schools, apart from holding various positions of responsibilities at the school level, she made numerous contributions to different areas of science education:

  • Member of the 1998 VCE Chemistry Accreditation panel (Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority)
  • Member of the VCE Chemistry Exam Setting panel (1999-2000) and assessor for VCE Chemistry exams (1999-2002)
  • Professional development leader for DE&T's Science in Schools Strategy and author of a Science and ICT module for primary and secondary teachers (2000-2002)
  • Online facilitator for a science extended professional development online course for teachers in secondary schools (2000)
  • Co-director of the Victorian Science Talent Search (1994-1998)
  • Member of Council of the Science Teachers Association of Victoria (STAV), convening Publications (2000-2004)
  • Presenter of numerous workshops at state and national science conferences Editor for the secondary science teachers journal, LabTalk. (2001-2004)
  • Co-author of a year 12 Chemistry text book, Chemical Connections II , John Wiley & Sons Press. (2000)
  • Co-author of a teachers' manual for the New South Wales Chemistry options course, Heinemann Press. (2002)
  • Author of numerous articles for LabTalk and the primary science teachers journal, Let's Find Out.

Since joining La Trobe University in 2002, she has been a :

  • Member of the Victorian Department of Educations & Training Schools Innovation and Teaching (SIT) reference panel (2003).
  • Member of the Australian Government Australian Schools Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics advisory panel (Victorian branch) (2005-2006).
  • Member of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre advisory panel (2007 - ongoing)

Wan has also won several science teacher awards - Shell Science Teachers' Award (1997), BHP (1996) and DE&T/Engineering Institute Merit Awards (1999). She was nominated for the Australian University Teaching Aware (Early Career category) in 2004.

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Research interests

  • ICT use (including online) in teaching and learning
  • Innovative and integrated curriculum
  • Gifted and talented education
  • Science education
  • Teacher education
  • Children being motivated and creative in science learning
  • Culture and language in Science teaching and learning
  • Learning and research with handhelds (also called PDAs, pocket PCs)

Higher degree supervision/co-supervision

  • ICT use and literacy development (PhD)
  • Simulations in chemistry and physics education (EdD)
  • Telementoring of Saudi Arabian gifted students (PhD)
  • Design and ICT comunication in higher education in Malaysia (PhD)
  • On-line learning in higher education in Saudi Arabia (PhD)
  • ICT and physics education in Vietnam (PhD)
  • Science and formative assessment in Saudi Arabian primary schools (PhD)
  • ICT and creativity with Malaysian engineering students (PhD)
  • Science at transitional school levels (MEd)
  • Mobile technology in classrooms (MEd)
  • ICT use in language learning (MEd)
  • Masters minor thesis students in the area of gifted education and the use of technologies (including online technologies) in specialist science education and teacher education

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Grants

  • (2007) $60 000. Emerging science for middle years students. DEST, Australian Schools Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASSISTM) Initiative.
  • (2007) $7 600 (with Jenny Ryder, Howard Nicholas, Chris Campbell & Caroline Walta). Transformative learning experiences through online learning with WebCT. Faculty of Education Research Grant, La Trobe University.
  • (2006) $76 000 From Fundamental to New Chemistry. DEST, Australian Schools Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) Inititative.
  • (2006) $80 000 (with Howard Nicholas) Engaging students in Science and Technology using mechatronics. DEST, Australian Schools Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) Inititative.
  • (2006) $7 700 (with Howard Nicholas) Assessing online learning to engage high ability adolescent learners. Faculty of Education Research Grant, La Trobe University.
  • (2006) $8 000 (with Howard Nicholas [project co-ordinator], Pamela Wright, Athena Vongalis-Macrow and Alan Williams). Computer-mediated resources to support intercultural access and engagement for Non-English speaking background teacher education students. La Trobe University Higher Education Equity Support Program.
  • (2005/06) $6 300 (with Alan Williams and Howard Nicholas) Student Beliefs and Experiences of the Diploma in Education course. School of Educational Studies, Faculty of Education grant, La Trobe University.
  • (2005) $115 000 (with Bernie Neville [project co-ordinator]) Expert Teacher-in-Residence Partnership project (Primary Science). DEST, Australian Schools Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) Initiative.
  • (2005) $4 500 Sun, Science and Society (gifted project). Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, La Trobe University and Science Teachers' Association of Victoria (STAV).
  • (2004) $10 000 Gifted Education. Australian Department of Education, Science & Training (DEST), Quality Outcomes Initiative.
  • (2004) $9 500. Sun & Science. Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, La Trobe University; Science Teachers' Association of Victoria (STAV) and the Australian Institute for Physics (AIP).
  • (2003) $9 500. Sun & Science. Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, La Trobe University; Science Teachers' Association of Victoria (STAV) and the Australian Institute for Physics (AIP).
  • (2002) $18 000. Sun & Science. Victorian Department of Education & Training's Science Partnership Initiative. Website www.latrobe.edu.au/educationalstudies/Solar/solar.htm. An issue of LabTalk [volume 47 (3), 2003] has been devoted to this project.

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Consultancy Work

  • (2007) Critical friend to ASISTM funded project Product Design Manufacturing Challenge.
  • (2007) Consultant to ASISTM funded project Creating Wonderment, Awe and a Sense of Achievement for Indigenous Students.
  • (2006-7) With Howard Nicholas. Pocket PCs for m-generation. A commissioned research project for 3 primary and 2 secondary schools.
  • (2006-7) Critical friend to ASISTM funded project The Impact of Human Habitation on Darebin Creek.
  • (2006) With Howard Nicholas and Pam Wright. Higher order thinking, ICT and boys' education. St Helena Secondary College.
  • (2003) Sustainabiity. Preston Girls Secondary College. Funded by the Science Partnership Initiative, Victorian Department of Education & Training funded.

Publications

VCE/HSC Chemistry Text Books

  • Taylor , N., Stockes, R., Ng, W. and Stubbs, A. (2007) Chemistry 2. John Wiley & Sons Publisher.

  • Taylor , N., Derbogosian, M., Ng, W., Stubbs, A., Stokes, R., Bowen, S., Raphael, S., and Moloney, J. (2007) Chemistry 1. John Wiley & Sons Publisher.

  • Deretic, G., Broadhead, G., Downie, E., Ng, W. and Spence, R. (2002) Chemistry Practical Manual Teacher's Resource Book. Heinemann Publisher

  • Jame, M., Stokes, R., Ng, W. and Moloney, J. (2000) Chemical Connections II. John Wiley & Sons Publisher.

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Refereed Book Chapter

Ng, W. (2006). Web-based Technologies, Technology Literacy and Learning in Tan, L.W.H. and Subramaniam, R. (Eds). Handbook of Research on Literacy in Technology at the K1-2 Level. Hershey, USA : Idea Group Publishing. p 94-117.

Refereed Journal Articles

  • Ng. W. (under review) Self-directed learning with web-based technologies. Enclyopedia for online and distance learning.
  • Nicholas, H. & Ng, W. (under review) Ubiquitous learning and handhelds: An overview of theory and pedagogy. Encylopedia for online and distance learning.
  • Nicholas, H. & Ng, W. (under review) Capacity and limitations of online technologies for extended learning of secondary students'. Journal of Research on Technology in Education.
  • Ng, W. Nicholas, H. & Wiliams, A. (under review) How experiences in schools influence pre-service teachers' beliefs about teaching efficacy and good teaching. Teaching and Teacher Education Journal.
  • Nicholas, H. & Ng. W. (under review). Blending creativity, science and drama. Gifted and Talented International.
  • Ng, W. (in press, first issue 2008). Virtual teamwork: students learning about ethics in an online environment. Journal of Research in Science & Technological Education.
  • Ng, W. & Nicholas, H. (2007) Conceptualising the use of online technologies for gifted secondary students. Roeper Review (A Journal on Gifted Education), 29 (3), 190-196.
  • Ng, W. & Nguyen, V.T. (2006) Investigating the integration of everyday phenomena and practical work in physics teaching in Vietnamese high schools. International Education Journal 7(1), 36-50.
  • Ng, W. (2005) Web-based Technologies for Learning: Students' perceptions of the benefits of the use of simulations in learning about forces and motion. International Journal of Learning, 11 p 539-548.
  • Ng, W. & Gunstone, R. (2003) Science and Computer-based Technologies in Victorian Government Schools: Attitudes of Secondary Science Teachers. Journal of Research in Science and Technology Education, 21 (2), 243-264 .
  • Ng, W. and Gunstone, R. (2002) Students' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of the World Wide Web as a Research and Teaching tool in Science Learning. Journal of Research in Science Education, 32(4), 489-510.

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Referred Conference Proceedings

  • Nicholas, H. & Ng, W. (2004). Probing preconceptions to create new concepts while learning science through English. Proceedings of the Seminar on Best Practices and Innovations in the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics at the Secondary School Level. APEC sponsored, Malaysia, July 2004. p.236-258 Also published at the US Knowledge Bank website.
  • Ng, W. & Nicholas, H. (2004) Promoting higher order thinking skills and creativity in science learning through drama and ICT. Proceedings of the Seminar on Best Practices and Innovations in the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics at the Secondary School Level. APEC sponsored, Malaysia, July 2004. p. 305-328. Also pbulsihed at the US Knowledge Bank website.
  • Ng, W. (2003) The Status of Computer-based Technologies and Science Education in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Victoria, Australia. Proceedings for the Sixth International Conference on Computer Based Learning in Science. Volume II. Cyprus, p 94-106.

Selected Non-Refereed Journal Articles and Conference Proceedings

  • Ng, W. & Nicholas, H. (2007). Ubiquitous learning with handhelds in schools. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Mobile Learning, Melbourne, Australia. 16-19 October, 2007, p 180-186.
  • Nicholas, H. & Ng, W. (2007). PDAs in the real world of classrooms - what is needed to help learners think? In Al-Zoubi A. Y. (Ed). Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interactive Mobile and Computer Aided Learning, Amman, Jordan, 17-20 April, 2007, CD.
  • Ng, W., Nicholas, H. & Williams, A. (2007). Student Teachers' Evolving Beliefs About Teaching During Secondary Preservice Teacher Education in Australia . Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA), 9-13 April, Chicago, US.
  • Nicholas, H. & Ng, W. (2003, December 2-4) Using English in the teaching of science. Paper presented to the ELTC EteMS Conference 2003, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia .
  • Ng, W. (2003). Learning science in context. LabTalk, 47 (1), 9-12.
  • Ng, W. (2003). The sun. LabTalk 47, (1), 23-27.
  • Ng, W.(2002). What is your lung capacity? Let's Find Out, 19 (5), 26-29.
  • Ng,W (2001). Apples and VCE Unit 4 Food Chemistry LabTalk, 45 (3), 40-44

Commissioned Research Reports

  • Ng, W. & Nicholas, H. (2007). Pocket PCs for m-generation learners.

International Conference presentations

  • Ng. W. & H. Nicholas (2007) Handheld computing integrates multiliteracies. Invited presentation to the Australian Literacy Educators Association (Victoria), Annual Conference. Melbourne, October 26-27
  • Ng. W. & Nicholas, H. (2007) Ubiquitous learning with handhelds in schools. Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Mobile Learning, Melbourne, Australia. 16-19 October, 2007.
  • Nicholas, H. & Ng W. (2007) PDAs in the real word of classroooms - what is needed to help learners think? Paper presented at the 2nd International conference on Interactive mobile and computer aided learning, Amman, Jordan, 16-20 April, 2007.
  • Ng. W. & Nicholas, H. & Williams, A. (2007). Student Teachers' Evolving Beliefs About Teaching During Secondary Preservice Teacher Education in Australia. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference, Chicago, 9-13 April, 2007.
  • Ng. W. & Nicholas, H. (2006). Learning online with high ability students. Paper presented at the 10th European Council for High Ability conference, Lahti, Finland, 13-16 September, 2006.
  • Ng. W. & Nicholas, H. (2006) Catering for 'dispersed groups' of gifted secondary students. Paper presented at the 9th Asia Pacific Conference, Taipei, Taiwan, 31 July - 3 August, 2006.
  • Ng. W. & Salaazar (2005). The Use of Online Technologies in Primary Teacher Education Course. Paper presented at the Technology, Knowledge & Society conference, Hyderabad, India. 12-15 December, 2005.
  • Ng. W. (2005). An interdisciplinary approach to science learning. Paper presented at the Australian Science Teachers Association 54th annual conference, University of Melbourne, Australia, 3-7 July, 2005.
  • Ng. W. (2005). The contextual and interdisciplinary approach to learning science: a case study. Paper presented at the Redesigning Pedagogy: Research, Policy, Practice conference. Singapore, 30 May- 1 June, 2005.
  • Ng. W. (2004). Online Catering For High Ability Students - A Discussion Paper. Paper presented at the International Conference on Educational Technology in Singapore , September, 2004.
  • Ng, W. (2004). Web-based Technologies for Learning. Paper presented at The Eleventh International Literacy and Education Research Network Conference on Learning in Cuba, 27-30, June 2004.
  • Nicholas, H. & Ng, W. (2003). Using English in the Teaching of Science. Paper presented at the English Teaching in Maths and Science (EteMS) conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-4 December 2003.
  • Ng, W. (2003). Learning in Context: Sun & Science. Paper presented at the 9th Annual UNESCO-APEID International Conference on Education, Shanghai, China, November 2003.
  • Ng, W. & Gunstone, R. (2003). Science and Computer-based Technologies in Victorian Government Schools: Attitudes of Secondary Science Teachers. Paper presented at the Sixth International Conference on Computer Based Learning in Science, Cyprus, July 2003.
  • Ng, W. and Gunstone, R. (2002). Attitudes of Secondary Science Teachers in Victorian Government Schools towards Computer-based Technologies and Science Teaching and Learning. Paper presented at the Conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association (CONASTA), Hobart, July 2002.
  • Ng, W. and Gunstone, R. (2001). Use of Computer-based Technologies by Science Teachers in Victorian Schools. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) conference, Perth, December 2001.
  • Ng, W. and Gunstone, R. (2001) Using the WWW as a research tool: a case study: Paper presented at the Australian Science Education Research Association (ASERA) conference, Sydney, July 2001.

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State Conference Presentations

  • Ng, W. (2007). Emerging Sciences for Middle Years. Paper presented at the Science Teachers Association of Victoria, 22-23 November.

  • Ng, W., Wilson, D. & Aikenhead, R. (2006). From fundamental to new chemistry . Paper presented at the Science Teachers Association of Victoria, 23-24 November.

  • Ng, W. (2006). An Interdisciplinary approach to engaging with everyday Science. Paper presented at the Science Teachers Association of Victoria, 23-24 November.
  • Nicholas, H., Pawlowski, P. & Ng, W. (2006). Engaging students in science and technology using mechatronics. Paper presented at the Science Teachers Association of Victoria, 23-24 November.
  • Ng, W. (2004). Students' perceptions of the effectiveness of the WWW as a research and teaching tool in science learning. Paper presented at the Science Teachers Association of Victoria annual conference, La Trobe University, 25-26 November.
  • Ng, W. & Aikenhead, R. (2003). Free simulation software for chemistry and physics. Paper presented at the ICT and Science Conference, Northcote High School, 29-30 August.
  • Ng, W. & Aikenhead, R. (2003). Science and Literacy assisted with computers. Paper presented at the ICT and Science Conference, Northcote High School, 29-30 August.
  • Ng, W. (2003). Open investigations in primary science teaching. Paper presented at the Primary Science Teachers Conference, Melbourne University (Burnley Campus), 20-21 July.
  • Ng, W. (2003). Sun and science. Paper presented at the VCE Chemistry Conference, Monash University, 28 February.
  • Ng, W. (2003). Sun and science. Paper presented at the VCE Physics Conference, Monash University , 24 February
  • Ng, W. (2003). Sun and science , Paper presented at the VCE Biology Conference, Monash University, 10 February.
  • Ng, W. (2002). Hands-on, minds-on. Paper presented at the Primary Science Teachers' Conference, Melbourne University (Burnley campus), 21 -22 July.

Invited Presenter/Speaker

  • Ng, W. & H. Nicholas (2007, October 27) Handheld computing integrates multiliteracies . Invited presentation to the Australian Literacy Educators Association (Victoria), Annual Conference. Melbourne, October 26-27.

  • Ng, W. (2006). Engaging science learning. Science Coordinators' Conference, Kalorama, Victoria, 1-2 September.

  • Ng, W. (2005). Science Education in Australia . Invited to present to a delegation from China at Melbourne University, Victoria, 16 November.

  • Nicholas, H. & Ng, W. (2004). Probing preconceptions to create new concepts while learning science through English. APEC-sponsored Seminar on Best Practices in Science & Mathematics conference held in Penang, Malaysia from 18-22 July.

  • Ng, W. & Nicholas, H. (2004). Promoting higher order thinking skills and creativity in science learning through drama and ICT. APEC- sponsored Seminar on Best Practices in Science & Mathematics held in Penang, Malaysia from 18-22 July.

Professional Associations Affiliations

  • Council member, Science Teachers Association of Victoria.
  • Australasian science education research association.
  • American Educational Research Association.

  • World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.

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Content Approved by: Director, Faculty of Education - Bundoora
Page maintained by: Web Administrator
Last Updated: 7 March, 2008

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