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USC to hold Learning and Teaching Week
An award-winning psychology professor will tackle one of the most vital and vexed issues in higher education when she gives a keynote address at the University of the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday 17 August.
Professor Keithia Wilson, a former Australian University Teacher of the Year, will discuss how to predict whether first-semester students are likely to succeed – and the implications for curricular practices.
The Griffith University academic, who will identify the personal and institutional factors influencing students’ engagement and academic success, will be among national and international guests at USC’s inaugural Learning and Teaching Week from 16-20 August.
Professor Wilson’s 11am address will be followed by USC Communications Lecturer Anna Potter leading a discussion about the University’s intervention projects for new, at-risk students.
Another highlight of the week will be the annual Vice-Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching Colloquium on Wednesday 18 August.
Key speakers will include Professor Sally Brown from Leeds Metropolitan University in Britain and Dr Ann Stewart, Director of the Equity Office at the University of Queensland.
Professor Brown will give a keynote address at the colloquium on Wednesday at 10.15am. She is a former classroom teacher of English and therapeutic drama now specialising in innovative teaching approaches, inclusivity and assessment.
Professor Phil Race, from Leeds Metropolitan University, is an independent training consultant known for his approachable, highly interactive methods. The former scientist will hold a master class on ‘Making Teaching Work’ on Thursday at 9.15am.
An interactive expo on Tuesday will officially launch a USC project known as eLEAP, which is designed to help staff increase the effective use of online and technology-related learning and teaching in courses.
On Friday 20 August, sessions by USC academics will include how mentoring pre-service teachers can help them succeed in the workplace; and how using a “CSI” assignment can motivate first-year biology students.
USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the University had always put strong emphasis on the professional development of its teachers.
Professor Hill said USC was the only public institution in Queensland to earn five stars for teaching quality in the 2011 Good Universities Guide.
“That quality will be showcased in this week-long celebration on the theme of Diversity and Engagement,” he said.
It will be held in conjunction with the 4th annual Indigenous Education Symposium to be hosted by USC, which includes hundreds of high school students doing workshops on art, culture and the environment.
— Julie Gatehouse