Teaching & Learning Connection

The ALTC recently announced that $14.2 million worth of funding will be transferred to DEEWR in order to fund 3.5 years worth of awards and projects across the higher education sector.

This news is a welcome relief to staff at universities worried that HE would lose a vital resource to support the transformation of teaching and learning practice.

DEEWR will maintain the current suite of programs for at least the next 3 years. The next call for submission of grant applications is expected to be announced later this year or early next year, once ALTC activities have been transferred to DEEWR. Staff interested in applying for grants are advised to contact Melanie Fleming on ext 2922 or Alicia Zikan 5190.

Cathryn McCormack

The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) aims to improve the student learning experience by supporting quality teaching and practice. It does this through a range of programs including teaching awards and grants. UNE has had considerable success with 28 out of 29 successful Citations between 2006 and 2010. In terms of grants, in 2010 UNE achieved a success rate of around 60% (compared with 15% across the sector), with success for:

Carina Bossu (DEHub) $220,000 for: Adoption, use and management of Open Educational Resources to enhance teaching and learning in Australia

Sue Gregory and Yvonne Masters (DEHub and School of Education) $220,000 for: VirtualPREX: innovative assessment using a 3D virtual world for pre-service teachers

Laurence Tamatea and Keita Takayama (School of Education) $220,000 for: TKNe: a transnational knowledge network in education that facilitates internationalisation

Stephen Colbran, out of round funding of $250,000 for: ReMarks Stage III

UNE as Project Partner:

Jennifer Clark (School of Humanities) $170,000 for: After Standards: Engaging and embedding history’s standards using international best practice to inform curriculum renewal. Project Lead: University of New South Wales

Graham Webb and Robyn Muldoon (TLC) for: Teaching Standards Framework. Project Lead: Macquarie University

Considering applying in 2011 or 2012?

The Teaching and Learning Centre is organising support sessions (starting in November) for potential teaching award and grant applicants. Preparing an application can be challenging and time consuming, and applicants need to start well in advance. The support sessions will assist those aiming for a 2011 or 2012 submission.

Teaching Awards

UNE is eligible to submit up to 10 applications for Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. Applicants submit a four page written application demonstrating excellence in a particular aspect of their teaching such as supporting students’ learning, curriculum development, or assessment or feedback. This year ALTC have added details to encourage excellent HDR supervisors to apply. Citations are recognised by a $10,000 prize. Team and individual applications are welcome. Further information is available at http://www.une.edu.au/altc/citations.php.

Grants

ALTC funds projects which address its mission and objectives. Internal UNE deadlines for the programs are 7 March or 7 September, which allows a full month to obtain institutional endorsement. Further information is available at http://www.une.edu.au/altc/grant.php.

For further information please contact Cathryn McCormack on cmccorm2@une.edu.au or x3480.

UNE is currently involved in the Pilot International Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Project which is being facilitated by the University of Southern Queensland. The exercise will use the ACODE Benchmarks to conduct a self-assessment of technology use at the university.

The benchmarks that UNE will be assessing are:

Benchmark 1: Institution policy and governance for technology supported learning and teaching

Benchmark 5: Professional/staff development for the effective use of technologies for learning and teaching

Benchmark 7: Student training for the effective use of technologies for learning

The project will enable UNE to compare and contrast with participating universities and identify best practice in the use of technology.

If you require further information please contact Brian Landrigan by email blandrig@une.edu.au or phone 6773 2123.