Content
Past achievements
PEN meeting at Bond University
November 2009
In mid-November, the Manager OLT, Promoting Excellence Project Officer, and Grants and Awards Officer attended a two-day meeting of the Queensland Promoting Excellence Network (PEN) held at Bond University. The Network meets several times a year to discuss issues and share ideas related to the ALTC Promoting Excellence Initiative (PEI). The PEI aims to consolidate the capacity of institutions to engage constructively with the programs of the ALTC and foster a climate of collaboration, valuing diversity and inclusiveness across the sector. The Acting Director of ALTC Grants, Awards and Fellowships, Associate Professor Peter Hutchings, attended Day 1 of the meeting and provided members with a presentation and workshop on the development of ALTC program award applications. The next meeting of the network will be held at the University of Southern Queensland in March 2010.
ALTC Leadership and Priority Project Grants information session
November 2009
In early November, the Office of Learning and Teaching ran an information session on ALTC Leadership grants and Priority Project grants. The session included presentations from Tilly Hinton, Manager OLT, Tania Stevenson, Grants and Awards Officer, and Professor Graham Davidson regarding his involvement in the Leadership Grant 'Developing cross-disciplinary leadership capacity for enhancing the professional education of multidisciplinary mental health workers’.
ALTC Awards Evidence workshop
November 2009
In early November 2009, the Manager OLT, Ms Tilly Hinton facilitated an ALTC Awards Evidence workshop that outlined the following:
- examples of the types of evidence that can be used to support a nomination
- how to identify the most appropriate form of evidence to support a case
- how to effectively incorporate evidence into an application.
Promoting Excellence Initiative national meeting
October 2009
In late-October 2009, the Manager OLT and Promoting Excellence Project Officer attended a two-day ALTC Promoting Excellence Initiative Workshop in Adelaide. The workshop was attended by two representatives from each Australian Higher Education institution and it included the following sessions:
- Presentation: PEI – Sustaining the PEI Momentum - Professor Geoff Crisp, ALTC Fellow and Director, CLPD, The University of Adelaide
- Q and A: New priorities, new processes, Associate Professor Peter Hutchings and Ms Siobhan Lenihan, ALTC
- Presentations: PEI Snapshots, University of the Sunshine Coast – Ms Tilly Hinton, Monash University – Dr Lorraine Bennett, The University of Newcastle - Professor Gail Huon and University of South Australia – Dr Peter Hill
- Group activity: PEI Evaluation.
Information sessions
October 2009
Due to a high level of interest, ALTC Citations information sessions were run in September and October in 2009. Presentations were delivered by Tilly Hinton, (Manager OLT and ALTC Citations National Assessor) and previous citation recipients from USC. The session was attended by a mix of academic and APT staff.
Citations Award workshop
October 2009
In October 2009, Dr Jill Lawrence, a previous ALTC Citation and ALTC AAUT winner from USQ, presented a workshop to USC staff covering all aspects of preparing and applying for an ALTC Citation. Prospective applicants also had the opportunity to meet with Jill to discuss their ideas and receive feedback on their draft applications.
Wall of Fame — 2nd unveiling
September 2009
The University held a special breakfast celebration on 16 September to honour its 2009 ALTC award winners — Dr Ann Parkinson, Anna Potter, Dr Monte Wynder, Kylie Russell, Tegan McFarland, Margot Reeh and Liani Eckard. USC's Australian Learning and Teaching Council Wall of Fame was established in December 2008 to celebrate the success of its award-winning academics. A feature wall on the second floor of the USC Library is adorned with framed photographs of academic staff who have received national recognition for their outstanding contributions to teaching and learning.
The unveiling of 2009 ALTC Award recipients was attended by the Vice-Chancellor, DVC, OLT staff, previous ALTC recipients, staff currently applying for ALTC recognition, and other key Learning and Teaching staff.
For more information about this year's Citations winners, visit: www.usc.edu.au/University/NewsEvents/News/2009News/Citations09.htm
ALTC citations success 2009
July 2009
On July 8, the ALTC announced its 2009 Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. An unprecedented six of USC’s nominations were successful, a testament to the University’s expanding focus on quality education. The Citations recipients received their awards at a ceremony in Brisbane on 18 August 2009.
More information on the awards and recipients
Sessional Staff Development Day
July 2009
The Sessional Staff Development Day for Semester 2 was held on Thursday 23 July. In response to feedback from the event in Semester 1, the program was changed to incorporate greater opportunities to share practices among new and existing sessional colleagues. This was achieved by the inclusion of a welcome from the Vice-Chancellor at commencement of the day, interactive panels in the workshops and plenary, and an informal networking opportunity with drinks after the day's conclusion. Another improvement resulting from the feedback was the rescheduling of the optional staff development workshops to the day following the event, to allow increased awareness and promotion of the sessions available. Feedback received via the evaluation process confirms that the experience was considered by the majority of participants to be extremely valuable. The event was attended by 52 sessional staff members.
OLT staff present at HERDSA 2009
July 2009
OLT staff, Cynthia Tait and Tilly Hinton both presented at the HERDSA Conference in Darwin in early July. Cynthia presented a refereed paper on ‘Exploring the role of the teacher-as-designer in online creative writing pedagogy’ (with Wendy Fountain, UTas). Tilly presented a workshop on ‘Making Change: the place of universities in fostering civic engagement, agency and activism’.
Professional Development Plan
June 2009
The 2009 Professional Development Plan, developed via extensive consultation led by Learning and Teaching Management Committee in 2008 and early 2009, is now in place. The plan sets priority areas for professional development, which are:
Curriculum, Assessment, Pedagogy and Improvement (an LTMC-identified priority for 2009)
Program and Discipline Leadership (an LTMC-identified priority for 2009)
- e-Learning (a Strategic Plan priority)
- Teaching-research nexus (a Strategic Plan priority)
- Australian Learning and Teaching Council
- Core activities
The plan forms the backbone of the Office of Learning and Teaching’s delivery of professional development. Regular reporting to Learning and Teaching Management Committee will happen biannually, with the first report due in August 2009. Preparations for delivery of Professional Development activities in the latter half of the year are well under way with the Office of Learning and Teaching endeavouring to schedule activities in advance for the remainder of 2009 to allow greater promotion of activities to staff and enable them to plan their participation.
Vice-Chancellor's Colloquium 2009
June 2009
The Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Colloquium, held on Wednesday 10 June, was a tremendous success with almost 150 staff and guests enjoying a rich program built around the theme of Curriculum Design and Assessment. Planning is now underway for the 2010 Colloquium.
Learning and Teaching induction
May 2009
Learning and Teaching Induction was held in late May, the first of several sessions throughout 2009. Eight new T&R staff attended, and all were either satisfied or very satisfied with the program.
Assessment Procedures professional development
May 2009
Cynthia Tait and Faculty Learning and Teaching Coordinators worked together to design and deliver professional development workshops for staff on the new Assessment Procedures. These have been delivered in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and in Faculty of Business, and are being planned for Faculty of Science, Health and Education.
Curriculum design support
May 2009
Cynthia Tait was invited by Chris Dann, Lecturer in Education to support the facilitation of the development of a proposed primary program for education. All of the Education discipline team who were interested attended a day long professional development planning session, lead by Chris, with the result being a constructively aligned program, grown out of the vision of Chris and developed by the whole Education discipline team who attended.
Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding University Teacher for 2009
April 2009
Congratulations to Associate Professor Stephen Lamble who is the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding for University Teacher for 2009. Associate Professor Stephen Lamble is Head of the School of Communication and the leader of USC’s very successful Journalism program.
Associate Professor Lamble is well recognised in the journalism profession in Australia and is the co-author of a university textbook used in journalism programs across Australia. He has received accolades from his students for the online learning resources he has developed, and has been recognised by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council with a citation for his contributions to higher education.
Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding Service (T&R staff) for 2009
April 2009
Congratulations to the recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding Service (T&R staff) for 2009, the members of the Learning and Teaching Management Committee. The Learning and Teaching Management Committee advises the Academic Board and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor on the leadership and management of learning and teaching across the University.
At USC, the academic committees play a critical role in ensuring the quality of the academic work and the management of academic processes. Under the leadership of Associate Professor Joanne Scott, who chairs the LTMC, the committee has achieved outstanding results in relation to staff participation and engagement with wider learning and teaching processes, and in 2008 successfully completed a very ambitious program of policy development, planning and quality assurance.
Learning and Teaching funding opportunities calendar released
April 2009
All staff at USC have received a large wall-planner outlining key dates for grants and awards and fellowships funding for learning and teaching. These focus on the schemes of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, as well as internal funding opportunities. Extra copies of the calendar can be obtained by emailing altcexcellence@usc.edu.au
Graduate Skills forum
April 2009
Recently, 20 USC staff and students participated in a Graduate Skills forum to discuss the skills sets needed by graduates to equip them for work, further study and other pursuits beyond graduation. The event was part of Learning and Teaching Management Committee's review of Graduate Attributes.
Presentation to staff on the ALTC Promoting Excellence Project
April 2009
On 7 April 2009, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the Manager of the Office of Learning and Teaching provided staff with a joint presentation on the ALTC (Australian Learning and Teaching Council) Promoting Excellence Project. The presentation was well attended. It featured information on funding and support available for staff wanting to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, as well as an outline of the project. A copy of the presentation is available on the USC portal.
Final assessment and celebration evening for Foundations of University Teaching Course for 2008-2009
April 2009
On 7 April 2009, a final assessment and celebration evening for USC’S Foundations of University Teaching Course for 2008-2009 was held. Participants presented a collected series of reflections about what they had learned during the course and their plans for implementing what they had learned into the teaching practice. Twenty seven of the 33 participants attended the evening and presented their reflections to invited guests from across the University community and from Queensland Health. The Deputy-Vice Chancellor commended the participants on their work, emphasising the importance of learning and teaching at USC and thanked them for the valuable contribution they were making through their participation in this course.
Members of the University community will be invited to participate in the course for 2009–2010 in early Semester 2, 2009. For more information, please email academicdevelopment@usc.edu.au
Promoting Excellence Network convenes at USC
March 2009
In March 2009, 26 staff from 10 universities met to share highlights and best practice from ALTC-funded Promoting Excellence Projects. The event included presentations by Australian Learning and Teaching Council Director of Programs and Networks Dr Elizabeth McDonald, consultations about future directions for supporting and fostering engagement with the ALTC and the sharing of resources developed across the 10 institutions represented.
Wall of Fame features top academics
December 2008
The University of the Sunshine Coast recently launched its Australian Learning and Teaching Council Wall of Fame to celebrate the success of its award-winning academics. A feature wall on the second floor of the USC Library has been adorned with framed photographs of academic staff who have received national recognition for their outstanding contributions to teaching and learning. Chair of USC’s Learning and Teaching Management Committee Associate Professor Joanne Scott unveiled the Wall of Fame at a ceremony held on Monday 1 December 2008.
Six USC academics have received Australian Learning and Teaching Council (formerly Carrick) Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning in the three years since the awards began. The recipients are Associate Professor Gary Crew and Lecturer Dr Maria Raciti in 2006, Associate Professor Karen Brooks and Lecturer Gayle Mayes in 2007 and Associate Professor Stephen Lamble and Associate Lecturer Gill Cowden in 2008. Their expertise ranges from Creative Writing to Tourism and from Popular Culture to Business Marketing and Journalism.
The Wall of Fame launch was attended by previous ALTC recipients, staff currently applying for ALTC recognition, and other University staff.
Graduate attributes in the spotlight
November 2008
Students, leading industry figures and University staff provided input into the redevelopment of USC Graduate Attributes, in November 2008. The Forum included panel discussions, a workshop by Dr Clair Hughes and the presentation of a new graduate attributes model for the University.
Promoting excellence initiative
October 2008
The Office of Learning and Teaching was successful in gaining A$220,000 of funding from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. The funding will assist University staff to engage with the programs and resources provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. The project runs until December 2010 and is led by Tilly Hinton in the Office of Learning and Teaching. An advisory Reference Group is chaired by Associate Professor Stephen Lamble.
The Promoting Excellence Project aims to:
- build and consolidate institutional systems to support staff to engage constructively with the ALTC
- make USC better able to support excellent ALTC applications that contribute to outstanding teaching and learning outcomes
- undertake proactive ALTC engagement measures that would be difficult to achieve within routine budget allocations
Learning and teaching quality recognised again
August 2008
The 2009 Good Universities Guide has awarded top marks (five stars) for USC’s staff qualifications, teaching quality, graduates’ satisfaction with their overall university experience, and their satisfaction with the generic skills they gained while at university. USC also scored well (four stars) for access by equity groups and for Indigenous enrolments.
ALTC citation success for USC journalism lecturers
August 2008
In August 2008, Associate Professor Stephen Lamble and Ms Gillian Cowden received national recognition for creating innovative curricula and developing research-informed teaching resources that enhance graduate employment opportunities in the profession of journalism.
Stephen and Gill join a growing number of USC staff who have been successful in ALTC (formerly Carrick) grants and awards schemes.
Associate degrees provide new study pathways
July 2008
In Semester 2, 2008, the University welcomed students enrolled in new associate degrees in science, business and arts. These two-year programs are designed as a transition pathway for students new or returning to study, or for students looking for a highly flexible program in broad discipline areas. Special scholarships are also available for students enrolled in associate degrees.
USC staff win Carrick Institute grant
August 2007
In August 2007 Cultural Studies senior lecturer Dr Karen Brooks and Marketing and Tourism lecturer Ms Gayle Mayes, each received citations from the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.
Dr Brooks received her award for sustained public engagement in the field of communication and cultural studies resulting in both theoretical and practical learning outcomes for students.
Gayle Mayes received her award for enhancing students' employability and work readiness by providing a motivational work integrated learning experience.
In other Carrick award news, the University of the Sunshine Coast is leading a consortium of seven universities in an extensive teaching and learning research project that could help reduce the number of students dropping out of higher education across Australia.
Project Leader Dr Lesley Willcoxson said the other universities had jumped at the chance to take part in the study that she and fellow USC academics Dr Mark Manning and Dr Monte Wynder had designed.
The project received an A$219,877 grant under the Carrick Institute’s competitive grant program.
“To get a grant like this with the USC as the lead institution involved in a national study is a huge thing for us,” she said. “It puts USC firmly on the national teaching and learning map.”
More information about the retention of students study
USC-SCT Memorandum of Understanding
July 2007
On 12 July 2007, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas AM and the Acting Director of Sunshine Coast TAFE Joe Willis signed an agreement to help address skill shortages in the region.
This agreement will benefit school leavers and mature-age students through the future development of new joint USC-SCT programs in areas with high student demand and strong employment prospects.
It also will support a more seamless transition for students between the two institutions as well as the development of major infrastructure, including community and sporting facilities.
Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Colloquium
May 2007
The second Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Colloquium was held on Wednesday 30 May 2007. This annual event was a celebration of quality learning and teaching at USC, with the theme being the scholarship of teaching.
The 2007 Colloquium, attended by over 100 participants, was an opportunity for participants to engage in conversations and debate about currency and innovation in learning and teaching, as well as sharing research findings into effective teaching.
Carrick citation winners for 2006
July 2006
In July, the Carrick Institute announced Carrick Citations recipients for 2006. Among the diverse list of winners were Dr Gary Crew and Dr Maria Raciti.
Gary’s citation was for leadership in the creation and ongoing development of a professionally productive Creative Writing department in a new regional university and Maria was recognised for creating a successful relational learning environment for Business students of all abilities.
Learning and Teaching Planning Day galvanises debate
October 2006
The Learning and Teaching Planning Day provided an opportunity for staff from faculties and service areas, particularly those in leadership positions, to consult on the University’s strategic directions in program provision, the scholarship of teaching and institutional learning and teaching strengths.
Keynote speakers Emeritus Professor Millicent Poole and Professor Richard Johnstone made timely and insightful presentations about strategic program development and the scholarship of teaching agenda respectively.
The Planning Day marks the beginning of an exciting process for USC, under the direction of Professor Greg Hill, in defining our learning and teaching identity and identifying our distinctiveness in the sector.
Collaboration Forum
November 2006
For the first time, senior staff from the University and from the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE met together at a Collaboration Forum in October to discuss forward directions for collaboration between the two institutions.
Participants heard an environmental scan report of current collaborative activities, considered models of good practice and formulated a shared understanding of the drivers and benefits of institutional collaboration. From this, five collaborative domains were identified and staff assigned to developing action plans for each. The group meets again in December to continue the process.
Staff at both institutions expressed considerable excitement at the opportunities, which exist in areas such as:
- shared services
- e-learning
- articulation, credit and RPL
- marketplace development
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