Global Utilities

La Trobe University
Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Edition 2, 2009

6 March 2009

In this edition...

  • iTunes University and the classroom: Can podcasts replace Professors?
  • ALTC Curriculum Development in the Priority Projects Program Reviewed
  • Pearson Education UniServe Science Teaching Award
  • Judi Baron talks about plagiarism online role plays
  • Reporting back from the First Year Experience Curriculum Design Symposium
  • Articulating a Transition Pedagogy: The First Year Experience and Curriculum Design
  • CTLC Workshops
  • Teaching & Learning Seminars, presented by the Faculty of Law and Management
  • Conferences

iTunes University and the classroom: Can podcasts replace Professors?

A research article published late last year found that students who listened to a podcast of a lecture achieved higher marks in an assessment task compared with students who attended the lecture. Should we turn our lecture theatres into recording studios? Read the article at doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2008.11.004

ALTC Curriculum Development in the Priority Projects Program Reviewed

For those people who are preparing an ALTC Priority Projects Program Grant application, the ALTC commissioned Professor Owen Hicks to analyse the types and content of applications received under the new priority “Curriculum Renewal / Development” which was introduced under the Priority Projects Program in 2008. Seventy seven applications were received under this priority. Key findings from the report received in mid February that could be useful to applicants preparing application against this priority for the funding round are summarised on the ALTC Exchange website.

Advice on the upcoming grant application round can be obtained from David Hirst in the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Centre. The La Trobe internal deadline for this grant application is 25 March.

Pearson Education UniServe Science Teaching Award

The Award recognises teaching that improves student learning outcomes from an innovative and integrated use of information and communication technologies (ICT).

Eligibility for the award is open to teachers in Australian universities who have implemented a teaching innovation in a science discipline during 2007/2008.

Entries close 20 April 2009. See award website for further details.

Judi Baron talks about plagiarism online role plays

  • Thursday, 19 March 2009
  • 3:00 PM-4:30 PM
  • Special Collections Room Library, Bundoora

Judi Baron from the University of Adelaide has developed an online role play about plagiarism (which La Trobe is now licensed to use).

This meeting will be an informal, collegial discussion about  the use of the plagiarism e-sim at University of Adelaide, and other aspects of  situational learning, online role plays as well as assessment issues and academic integrity.

RSVP to Claire Brooks.

Reporting back from the First Year Experience Curriculum Design Symposium

If you were unable to attend the recent symposium on 5 and 6 February 2009, you are welcome to attend a 'brown bag lunch' session on Thursday March 12 from 1-2.00 pm in the Library Seminar room (BYO lunch).

Claire Brooks will report back:

  • Summary of main points
  • Present subjective response to issues raised
  • Pose some questions to prompt dialogue
  • Briefly touch on ideas from her QUT and UQ visits

The purpose of the symposium was to work on developing “a guiding philosophy for intentional first year curriculum design that carefully scaffolds and mediates the first year learning experience for contemporary heterogeneous cohorts.” ( Kift and Nelson, 2005).

RSVP to Connie Brand.

Articulating a Transition Pedagogy: The First Year Experience and Curriculum Design

  • Tuesday 24 March
  • 10.30am to 12.00pm
  • Hawthorn Campus.

Professor Sally Kift (ALTC Senior Fellow) will be presenting a seminar as guest speaker at Swinburne University. This Seminar will be of particular interest to staff teaching first year students.

Please see seminar flyer [PDF, 125kb] for full details.

CTLC Workshops

The Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Centre (CTLC) at La Trobe offer a range of workshops and seminars throughout the year. Workshops currently accepting registrations are:

Teaching and Learning Seminars, presented by the Faculty of Law and Management

These public seminars are open to all staff.

Conferences

Please refer to the conference webpage for an extensive list of Australasian and International teaching and learning conferences.