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Edition 7, 2009

28 August 2009

Design for Learning Forums

In support of the University's Curriculum Review White Paper "Design for Learning" a series of forums and workshops will be held on a regular basis. On Friday 4 September, Professor Ron Oliver (Edith Cowan University) will present two seminars, and on Friday 18 September, Professor Denise Chalmers (UWA) will present three different sessions on topics relevant to the recommendations in the Design for Learning document.

Designing for Learning with ICT

• Presented by Professor Ron Oliver
• Friday 4 September 2009
• 1.00 pm - 2.15 pm
• Bundoora, HUED Lecture Theatre
• Register online

Whilst information and communication technology (ICT) is now becoming a mainstream component of learning and teaching in higher education, in many instances its use fails to take full potential of the learning opportunities offered. This presentation will explore the notion of learning design as a process and a product and a means to facilitate the use of contemporary technologies and learning approaches to engage and motivate learners. It will showcase examples of strong practice and provide pragmatic and practical solutions that teachers can use to create effective ICT-based learning settings.

Authentic Learning as a Design Strategy for Blended Learning

• Presented by Professor Ron Oliver
• Friday 4 September 2009
• 2.30 pm - 4.00 pm
• Bundoora, HUED 108
• Register Online

This workshop will explore the application of authentic learning as a design strategy for technology-supported blended learning settings. It will showcase examples of authentic learning settings and explore learning designs for local settings. It will lead participants through the process of implementing an authentic learning design in a blended setting of their own choosing.

CTLC SoLT Seminar: Challenges in recognising and rewarding the scholarship of teaching

• Presented by Professor Denise Chalmers
• Friday 18 September 2009
• 10.30 am - 12 noon
• Bundoora, CTLC Meeting Room
• RSVP to r.hodge@latrobe.edu.au

Throughout much of the previous century, little attention was paid to the concept of scholarship in universities, particularly related to teaching. Rather, it was the concept of original research that was the main driver in universities seeking the prestige of research situated in disciplines. Promotion and career progression was largely contingent on achieving success in research, with barely a passing reference to the scholarship and practice of teaching.  As a consequence, the status of teaching was seen to be inferior to that of research. Academics choosing to pursue research into teaching and learning and direct their attention to the learning of their students risked career progression and access to tenure and promotion.

In this seminar we will examine initiatives to redress the balance of recognizing and rewarding teaching in relation to research and review current practices and evidence of change. While there has been little change to date in the ultimate symbol of recognition and reward – that of promotion and tenure – there are some promising signs of progress and that change is underway.

Challenges in recognising and rewarding quality teaching in universities: A framework and tools

• Presented by Professor Denise Chalmers
• Friday 18 September 2009
• 1.00 pm - 2.15 pm
• Register online

The presentation draws on a national project to develop an approach to recognizing and rewarding teaching and learning that can be applied across the Australian university sector.  The mechanism for such an approach is the development and implementation of agreed indicators and metrics. A framework that identifies indicators and outcomes of teaching quality at the multiple levels within an institution has been developed with tools that assist in identifying systems and processes that support and value teaching quality.

This framework links the indicators across four dimensions. The Institutional Climate and Systems dimension forms the basis upon which the other dimensions are built. The dimensions of Assessment; Engagement and Learning Community; and Diversity are theoretically and empirically supported by the literature as having a strong alignment with quality student learning and experiences.  There will be an opportunity to discuss each of the dimensions and their indicators.

Workshop: Developing a Communications Skills Framework: Planning writing, speaking, critical and information literacy, and interpersonal skills development across the curriculum

• Presented by Professor Denise Chalmers
• Friday 18 September 2009
• 2.30 pm - 4.00 pm
• Register online

UWA has undertaken a significant curriculum review and development process.  One recommendation was the Communication Skills should be explicitly taught and assessed in each of the programs of study.  A working party was established to advise the interim Boards of Studies on how this might be achieved. A Communication Skills framework that applies across the curriculum has now been developed to guide the development of students’ Communication Skills throughout the curriculum. There will be an opportunity to consider the framework and its application to the curriculum at La Trobe University.

Professor Oliver - Biographical Note

Professor Ron Oliver is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. Throughout his teaching career he has used emerging technologies to engage and motivate his students and has actively researched to inform his practice and knowledge.

Ron has a particular interest in learning and passionately argues the need for relevance and engagement in curricula. He and his colleagues have developed many successful models for improving student learning through democratised and authentic settings, with and without technology support.

Ron has won many awards for his innovative teaching and research with learning technologies including an Australian Award for University Teaching (1997), Australian Learning and Teaching Council Fellowship (2006) and a Fellowship from the Association for the Advancement for Computer in Education (2007).

Professor Chalmers - Biographical Note

Professor Denise Chalmers is Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) at the University of Western Australia. She is currently leading a national ALTC project on rewarding and recognising quality teaching and learning through developing teaching and learning indicators in Australian universities, and serving as President, Council of Australian Directors for Academic Development (CADAD)

Prior to this, Denise was a foundation Director at the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (renamed the Australian Learning and Teaching Council), a national organisation established to promote the quality of teaching and learning in Australian higher education, with specific responsibility for Awards, Fellowships and International Links.  In her previous position as Director of The Teaching and Educational Development Institute (TEDI) at the University of Queensland she was responsible for supporting the enhancement of teaching and learning, professional development, e-learning resources development and evaluation of teaching across the University. 

Denise has previously led national projects on teaching large classes and training, managing and supporting sessional teachers and been a member of two national Carrick Institute projects: The Teaching of Psychology, and Strategies for Effective Dissemination of Projects. She has researched and published on teaching and learning at university and consulted widely both nationally and internationally. 

Successful Inaugural Welcome to La Trobe for New Academics

Thirty new academic staff attended the first "Welcome to Academic Life at La Trobe University" program on 14 August.  The focus of the orientation program was primarily about teaching and learning aspects of academic life. Professors Belinda Probert, Tom Angelo and Tim Brown provided a compelling vision of the future of LaTrobe, including the Design for Learning and the new promotion policy.  The faculty Associate Deans (Academic) introduced themselves and a panel of recently appointed academics (Brendon Munge, Rachel Buchanan, Anita Raspovic, Venkat Narayanan, Alikki Vernon) shared their tips for getting ahead at La Trobe. The afternoon finished off with vibrant discussion over wine and cheese.

If you were unable to attend this orientation or would like information about the orientation program, please contact Dr Jeanette Fyffe.

Welcome to New CTLC Staff

Dr Judith Lyons (Judy) joined us in CTLC from Oxford Brookes University in July 2009. Judy is an Academic and Curriculum Developer (Professional Development Programs) and will contribute to the work in Design for learning initiative in order to meet the university's strategic aims.

Prior to Oxford Brookes University Judy worked in Learning and Teaching Development Unit at RMIT. She contributed to educational and academic development work at these universities: focussing on curriculum review and renewal for capability-based curriculum, embedding teaching innovations into curriculum, teaching into Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and conducting university-wide professional development programs. She holds a PhD in Higher Education, Masters in Education and a Bachelors Degree in Applied Science (Advanced Nursing Education).

Judy has a keen interest and passion for learning and teaching in Higher Education particularly blended e-learning, evaluation of learning and midwifery education. She has extensive teaching experience in industry and higher education, educational and curriculum design, teaching innovations using learning technologies and midwifery. Judy has received patent, awards and major grants for teaching innovations.

Ms Kate Lumley joined the CTLC team in July as the new Multimedia Production Technician. She studied Media Studies right here at La Trobe and since graduating has worked for multiple independent television production companies. Kate also spent time abroad working as a media specialist at a secondary school in London.

 

Update: Design for Learning

The four working groups commence next week. Below is a summary of the work that each group will undertake as part of the Design for Learning white paper.

1.  First Year Experience (FYE)

Develop a comprehensive, research-based plan for providing all LTU first-year students with the opportunities, experiences, information and resources necessary for high quality learning, academic success, and satisfaction. The scope of this plan would likely include research-informed recommendations regarding the most effective approaches to new student recruitment, orientation, diagnostic assessment, supplemental/additional learning assistance and other support services, the overall structure of the first-year curriculum, and teaching, assessment and feedback.

2.  Curriculum Design Guidelines (CDG)

Develop University-wide design guidelines for the development of, assessment of, feedback on, and evaluation of graduate capabilities through cornerstones, midpoints/checkpoints, and capstones -- and recommendations for the design of additional aspects of the curriculum structure.

3.  Program Mapping and Review (PMR)

Develop a consistent, efficient and flexible University-wide process for mapping all undergraduate degree programs and related processes for reviewing programs against the to-be-designed La Trobe curriculum quality criteria and standards. N.B. This working group will build directly on the efforts of the C-Ren Pilot Project currently underway in the Faculty of Law and Management.

4.  Learning Outcomes and Standards (LOS)

Develop the University-wide system of indicators, measures and standards required to provide evidence of the extent to and levels at which student are achieving graduate capabilities.  Also, to provide programs with information needed to adjust teaching, academic support and curriculum in order to continually improve that learning.

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Colloquium

The annual CTL Colloquium will be held on 3-4 December 2009 at the John Scott Meeting House. A reference group is currently planning the Colloquium and will soon issue a Call for Papers. For further information, please contact the Colloquium Organiser, Jason Brown.

ePortfolio Showcase Event

This event explores UniSA’s implementation of ePortfolios using PebblePad.  Staff and students will ‘Tell Stories’ followed by Q&A, with discussion of the questions by all participants. Jenny Masters (Education, Bendigo) will present her experience of the PebblePad trial at La Trobe.

• 23 September 2009, 2 pm - 5 pm 
• Access Grid link up to UniSA
• Bundoora Access Grid Room, Physical Sciences 2 (PS2), Level 3
• No RSVP required.
• Further information - John Hannon

Lochaber No More

A history in narrative and song

• Performance by Braemar and guest artists
• Presented by La Trobe University and the School of Historical and European Studies
• Sponsored by the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Centre, La Trobe University

The story of the Jacobite rebellions, romanticised in song and felt deeply in the hearts of Scottish people and their descendants all over the world. The story begins with injustice and ends with the destruction of the Scottish Clan system and the virtual destruction of Scottish language, music and culture. During this story, tens of thousands of Scots are butchered, or humiliated and forced to flee from their homes.

But this is also a story of hope and endurance. Forced or otherwise, the whole world has benefited from the emigration of the Scots. The Scots, Highland and Lowland, shine in the world because they are tough, determined, honest and loyal.

Sunday 20 September 2009 at 3 pm
Agora lecture theatre, La Trobe University
Melbourne (Bundoora) campus

More details and registration on the CTLC website.

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:

• Effective teaching for Higher Learning (3-Day Workshop) 28-30 September (Bendigo), 23-25 November (Bundoora) and 9-11 December (Bundoora)
• LMS Fundamentals (December dates available in Bundoora, Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga)

Conferences

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

• 3rd Biennial Threshold Concepts Symposium
  - University of New South Wales, Sydney
  - 1-2 July, 2010
  - Call for papers 25 Jan 2010
• Enhancing undergraduate engagement through research and inquiry
  - 23 September 2009, Sydney
  - ALTC roundtable
  

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