Pearls, Piths and Perils

The Teaching and Learning Forum has traditionally provided opportunities for discussion around issues of teaching and learning through a number of different formats, most often based on presentations. This year we are providing space in the program for an opportunity to engage in loosely structured dialogue based around a number of current topics in teaching and learning which we are calling Pearls, Piths and Perils.

There are many topics that we could discuss but we have chosen four areas which are topical as well as being relevant to the theme “Experience of Learning”. One of the sessions will be a presentation by WebCT, a generous sponsor of the 2006 Teaching and Learning Forum. We are also providing an open space for those who may wish to raise issues of their own.

Each session will have a facilitator but the discussion will be loosely structured to provide everyone with an opportunity to contribute to the discussion.

Transnational Education (TNE)

Many Australian universities offer programs offshore, particular in South East Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The goals of such programs vary and may include building the university and or faculty international standing and research reputation, generating additional sources of income and the provision of increased opportunities for international students to obtain a qualification from an overseas institution.

There are also several aspects of TNE programs that are more directly related to teaching and learning. These include student services and support for learning, access to library resources, approach to teaching, preparation of teachers, provision of learning resources, the relationship of learning outcomes to on-campus equivalent, evaluation and quality assurance. The development of a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan for TNE should be an essential first step for universities and or faculties considering offering offshore programs.

Spreading the Word about Good Practice: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

As higher education practitioners, it is vital to investigate our teaching so that we can make changes and improvements to our practice based on firm scholarly evidence. It is not only important for our practice, but such findings should be shared with the wider higher education community. How do we do this? How do we promote the value of scholarship in teaching and learning? How can we reward this scholarship?

Professional Behaviour

Professional behaviour implies more than being smart or technically expert. It is also involves more than the absence of unprofessional behaviour; it entails adopting and upholding a code of conduct. Much of the published work on professionalism talks about professionalism as a set of values, virtues, or characteristics – overarching principles which the professions hold. Recently, some investigators have moved from this top-down, values-based approach to a bottom-up, behaviour-based approach.

The idea is to identify and promote professional behaviours that correlate with observable events. The difficulty remains to develop reliable and valid assessment of professional behaviour.

This session will allow for shared discussion about professional behaviours including related current literature, defining professional behaviours, and assessment of professional behaviour.

Supported Learning Environments

"E-Learning in Support of your Innovation" - Mark Hallam, Principal Consultant, WebCT

Online learning is an emergent technology, invented at the point of application; institutions and individual academics adopt e-learning for comparative advantage in terms of student cohort needs, disciplinary content as well as institutional mission and strengths. Come learn what trends are observed within the WebCT institutional community and how WebCT is enabling academics and institutions to 'stay ahead of the wave' of stakeholders' expectations.

Open Space

A space for discussion on any topic ……