Load

As you all know, census date was 24 March. In both Schools, we recorded our highest ever student pre-census engagement (97.8% for Education, 96.5% in HASS), no doubt this improvement in part reflects everyone’s good efforts in attempting to engage students through Atrium. While Education saw slight improvements in withdrawal and rates at which students maintained their initial enrolment load, HASS saw a slight dip – despite the improved pre-census engagement. Overall, the faculty courses were above budget as of census, with rises in Education load (+41 EFTSL on budget) enough to offset declines in HASS (-5 EFTSL on budget).

Curriculum Committee Chair

Congratulations to our own Associate Professor Rachael Adlington, who will take over as chair of the university’s Curriculum Committee on 18 April 2025.

Interactive Oral Assessment

As we all contemplate ways both to make our assessment more resilient in the age of Artificial Intelligence, and to make assessment authentic, an interesting presentation was given on interactive oral assessment by Amita Krautloher of CSU that may have potential in some disciplines and units. Further information can be found here.

And some examples can be found here.

Communities of Practice

The interactive oral assessment presentation was one of several associated with UNE-wide communities of practice in teaching and learning, if you haven’t already, consider getting involved – the links below go to Teams sites– some are general, others more focused (e.g., Course Coordinators):

Our CoPs:

Tech and GenAI – Meeting: Friday, 10am, Week 3 of each trimester

For academics interested in exploring how to effectively use AI and technology in their teaching or address the challenges AI presents within their units.

Student Retention & Engagement – Meeting: Friday, 10am, Week 4 of each trimester

Focused on strategies to improve student retention and engagement, particularly in large first-year units where it is critical.

Unit and Course Design – Meeting: Friday, 10am, Week 5 of each trimester

For those wanting to understand and implement best practices in pedagogy and governance when developing or redeveloping units and courses.

Course Coordinators – Role-based CoP  – Meeting: Friday, 9am, Week 5 of each trimester

Designed to support course coordinators in building skills, knowledge, and tackling shared challenges in their role.