H. Carter
Welcome to the second issue of volume five of the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice. This issue contains six papers exploring a range of issues relating to teaching and learning practice.
Welcome to the second issue of volume five of the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice. This issue contains six papers exploring a range of issues relating to teaching and learning practice.
P. Morgan
The use of evaluation to examine and improve the quality of teaching and courses is now a component of most universities. However, despite the various methods and opportunities for evaluation, a lack of understanding of the processes
The use of evaluation to examine and improve the quality of teaching and courses is now a component of most universities. However, despite the various methods and opportunities for evaluation, a lack of understanding of the processes, measures and value are some of the major impediments to effective evaluation. Evaluation requires an understanding of what to evaluate, how to evaluate it, how to collect and analyse the information and how to action and implement what has been learned. The aim of this paper is to describe an instrument to document not only the evaluative process, but also evaluative outcomes. The Course Improvement Flowchart (CIF) provides a template for the application of an action inquiry framework. Throughout this process, the CIF template can be used to document key recommendations emanating from multiple sources of feedback so that a proactive statement of intent or action plan for teaching and course improvement is written. The resultant improvements that may be achieved in teaching and course quality may lead to more satisfying teaching experiences, improved student outcomes and heightened professional growth as a teacher.
F. Ewang
This article presents a reflection and comparison of two of my teaching pedagogical approaches for the Business Organisations Law curriculum to undergraduate non-law students at Charles Sturt University. The purpose is to compare and
This article presents a reflection and comparison of two of my teaching pedagogical approaches for the Business Organisations Law curriculum to undergraduate non-law students at Charles Sturt University. The purpose is to compare and evaluate efficacy of a traditional, lecture-based learning (LBL)i with a combination of LBL and problem-based learning (PBL)ii in improving performance and outcomes for students enrolled in the accounting and business degrees. Research methods to compare outcomes and performances were evaluated using modified versions of several LBL and PBL related survey questionnaires and a Study Process Questionnaire (SPV) developed by John Biggs for use with Australian tertiary students, and validated for use with students in several Asian countries. Data regarding students’ perceptions of LBL and a combination of LBL and PBL were further collected using a 13-point interview questionnaire. Responses from a Likert scale were calculated in percentages and considered in terms of a mean response and data from the qualitative responses coded in NVIVO and analysed thematically. Also, ‘tests scores’ (assignments and final exam results - mostly problem questions) from a traditional LBL class were compared with the scores from a mixture of both LBL and PBL. Though groups’ means of both LBL and PBL were closer, the results combined with other indicia revealed that students studying the course through a combination of both lectures and PBL tutorials in a teaching session performed significantly better. The paper recommends a cumulative dual approach as effective course delivering methods.
B. J. Farrell, H. M. Farrell
Cooperative learning has been introduced into International Accounting, a second year subject at a major Australian university. The purpose was to provide students with a satisfying experience of learning within a social context and to
Cooperative learning has been introduced into International Accounting, a second year subject at a major Australian university. The purpose was to provide students with a satisfying experience of learning within a social context and to develop their interpersonal, professional and written communication skills. The main data were collected during the Spring Semester 2005. In the penultimate lecture, a questionnaire was distributed to each of the students present. Findings suggest that despite some difficulties, the majority of students reported that cooperative learning created supportive team experiences that assisted them to develop discussion skills and better engage with the content of International Accounting.
Josie Arnold
This paper explores some of the ways in which our insights into the pedagogy of postgraduate supervision may benefit from understanding some of the attributes of psychotherapy. It proposes that psychotherapy involves teaching and learning
This paper explores some of the ways in which our insights into the pedagogy of postgraduate supervision may benefit from understanding some of the attributes of psychotherapy. It proposes that psychotherapy involves teaching and learning processes that can be fruitfully compared with the idealised pedagogical model of the dialectic. It develops insights into postgraduate supervision as pedagogy by interrogating the intersection of teaching and learning with some aspects of psychotherapy. In doing so, it shows how those pedagogical aspects of psychotherapy can enable a deeper understanding and richer practising of postgraduate supervision. This paper works within a model postulated by Gregory Ulmer. In his development of an idea that there is in academic writing the self and the researched, the conscious intellectual semiotic and that arising from storytelling, Gregory Ulmer surveys the idea of ‘mystories’. This word encompasses the self, the story and the mystery of this. I propose my own version of this as the ‘subjective academic narrative’.
A. Wilson
Purpose: This paper reports on the adaptation of an existing interpretive and critical research methods course in nursing for postgraduate student health professionals in a School of Population Health and Clinical Practice. Methods: A
Purpose: This paper reports on the adaptation of an existing interpretive and critical research methods course in nursing for postgraduate student health professionals in a School of Population Health and Clinical Practice. Methods: A cyclical approach of inquiry, reflection and planning was undertaken by the teaching team to make changes to the existing course for implementation for the current and following academic year. Critical reflections from two student evaluations during the course contributed to the re-design. Main Findings: Two main findings emerged: (1) cross-disciplinary teaching teams can work successfully if there is true collaboration of stakeholders; and (2) it is feasible to conduct an effective interdisciplinary qualitative research methods course for student health professionals. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary research methods courses need to be structured so that students interact with each other to enhance their knowledge of other disciplines and value learning about other professional viewpoints and issues.
A. S. Al-Musawi
This study was conducted to analyse the faculty perceptions of the development workshops conducted at Sultan Qaboos University, the only public university in the Sultanate of Oman. Following a needs assessment, a proposed plan for
This study was conducted to analyse the faculty perceptions of the development workshops conducted at Sultan Qaboos University, the only public university in the Sultanate of Oman. Following a needs assessment, a proposed plan for professional development workshops was developed, with the resultant workshops being delivered in 2001. Findings show that most participants positively perceive the components of the workshops, which reflect to some extent, the participants’ satisfaction. Qualitative analysis of data shows that the participants see some strengths, weaknesses, and improvements in these workshops. The study summarises the conclusions, implications and recommendations.
