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Vol. 14 No. 2 (2017)

Published: 1 September 2017

Articles

  • An exploratory study investigating the impact of a differentiate framework of instruction on generalist teachers perceived confidence to teach visual arts

    Katrina Eddles-Hirsch

    This article reports on an exploratory study that addressed the low confidence levels of 80 generalist primary student teachers enrolled in a mandatory visual arts course. Previous studies in this area have found that a cycle of neglect exists in Australia, as a result of educators’ lack of confidence in their ability to teach visual arts. This is believed to create a knock on effect whereby generalist primary student teachers enter mandatory tertiary visual arts units with little belief in their own art ability. This exploratory study centred on proactively applying the Tomlinson Model of differentiation in an effort to raise student confidence levels. By providing students with multiple avenues to access essential course understandings, students’ perceptions to teach visual arts changed significantly by course completion. This research has significance as there is a paucity of research re the implications of implementing a differentiated model of instruction at the tertiary level

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  • Redefining Academic Identity in an Evolving Higher Education Landscape

    Sharon J. Flecknoe, Julia K. Choate, Elizabeth A. Davis, Yvonne M. Hodgson, Priscilla A. Johanesen, Janet O. Macaulay, Kim Murphy, Wayne J. Sturrock, Gerry M. Rayner

    During a period of massive upheaval to the higher education sector, the traditional academic role has undergone considerable change. One element of these changes has been the broad introduction of Education-Focused (EF) or equivalent academic positions, which focus on educational excellence, with a requirement for high quality teaching and associated scholarly research. This paper reports on the reflections of a group of bioscience academics as they transitioned from a traditional teaching and research position to an EF academic position at a research-intensive Australian university. Through analysis of written narratives, the insights of these academics, including their concerns and potential opportunities, were explored. Given the global trend toward EF and similar positions, this study provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of academic identity, and in particular the role of EF academics in enhancing curricula and in providing educational leadership. Additionally, this study provides perspective for universities to plan optimally for future introduction of EF positions. Facilitating opportunities for support, mentorship and career progression of EF staff will promote best practice in teaching and learning.

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  • Developing Scholarly Identity: Variation in Agentive Responses to Supervisor Feedback

    Kelsey S Inouye, Lynn McAlpine

    The central task for doctoral students, through the process of writing, feedback and revision, is to create a thesis that establishes their scholarly identity by situating themselves and their contribution within a field. This longitudinal study of two first-year doctoral students investigated the relationship between response to supervisor feedback on the thesis proposal and the development of scholarly identity (self-confidence, independence in research thinking, positioning the self in relation to others), through the lens of individual agency (self-assessing work, seeking and critically engaging with others’ feedback in order to clarify research thinking). Data consisted of semi-structured interviews conducted over 3 months, different drafts of the research proposal, and written supervisor comments on the drafts. Narrative analysis and open coding were used to produce in-depth portraits of the individual experiences and perceptions of each participant. There were differences between the two individuals in their growing scholarly identities as regards their agency. The degree of agency exhibited in engaging critically with feedback in relation to self-assessment, and clarifying research thinking appeared linked to the development of the student’s scholarly identity: her sense of confidence, scholarly independence in thinking, and positioning in relation to others. Such confidence and ownership in turn inspired greater agency. Interestingly, differences in the extent to which participants were agentive in relation to feedback appeared influenced by previous experiences with feedback. These results contribute a richer understanding of the relationship between use of supervisor feedback and growing scholarly independence.

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  • Student Perceptions of the History Lecture: Does this Delivery Mode have a Future in the Humanities?

    Thomas Buchanan, Edward Palmer

    This article reports on a large survey of undergraduate history students, and reveals their attitude toward lecturing, particularly in the discipline of history. We argue that the evidence shows that students like lecturing and believe it aids their learning. In particular students value enthusiasm, organization, and an interesting analysis/argument in lecture presentations. We conclude that this suggests that historians should maintain the lecture when they are able to deliver lectures with these characteristics. Otherwise, they should adopt more interactive techniques.

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  • Improving Digital Assessment Practice: A Case Study of a Cross-Institutional Initiative

    Anne-Marie Chase, Bella Ross, Diane Robbie

    Assessment practice is a crucial component of higher education learning and teaching, however many academic teachers lack formal teaching qualifications and often fall back on teaching and assessing the way they themselves were taught. Furthermore, with increasingly diverse student cohorts, larger classes and increasing components of teaching delivered online, it is unsurprising that students rate assessment as one of the poorest features of their learning experiences. For these reasons, understanding the specific contexts of assessment is important now more than ever. This paper will present the findings of a case study of a cross-institutional initiative aimed at exploring how to improve digital assessment practice by focusing on context, and encouraging and facilitating collegial collaboration. The aim of the case study was to progress a digital assessment project at an Australian higher education provider. Teams of staff from two higher education providers collaborated to develop and implement eight prototype assessments to reform digital assessment practices. The assessments were selected from online undergraduate academic subjects across a range of disciplines. Findings reveal that both staff and students felt that there were benefits to the cross-institutional collaboration. The resulting assessment was perceived as improving student motivation and engagement and more tailored for the online environment than the existing assessment.

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