Digital Commons Network^™

‘Don’T Let Anyone Bring Me Down Again’: Applying ‘Possible Selves’ To Understanding Persistence Of Mature-Age First-In-Family Students, Janine Delahunty, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

This article applies the framework of possible selves to the motivation and persistence behaviours of one group of university students. We draw on possible selves to consider how particular goal-focused actions and life experiences may significantly shape movements towards imagined futures. Utilising a narrative approach from longitudinal data, this article considers the ways in which possible selves were articulated by five first-in-family students, all of whom were mature-aged women returning to formal learning. A series of vignettes enabled us to explore how students themselves conceived of this movement into university, and how hoped-for selves were considered and enacted (or not). …

Book Review: Fostering Self-Efficacy In Higher Education Students, Janine Delahunty

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

What is self-efficacy, why is it worthy of attention in higher education, how are selfefficacy beliefs linked to teaching and learning excellence and what is "excellence" anyway? These are some points of discussion found in the first few pages of Laura Ritchie's book, directing the reader towards strategies in later chapters that are drawn from real-life situations aimed at helping the practitioner recognise and apply principles for building strong self-efficacy beliefs in their students. The author argues that the impact of self-efficacy on learning is "fundamental to everything" (p. vii); she writes from her years of teaching and research in …

Reflections On The Positioning, Politics, And Pedagogy Of A Language Education/Research Writing Subject For International Hdr Students, Alisa J. Percy, Emily Rose Purser

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

This presentation reflects on the positioning, politics, and pedagogy of a centrally delivered language education/research writing subject for international HDR students at the University of Wollongong,

Graduate Students As Proxy Mobbing Targets: Insights From Three Mexican Universities, Florencia Pena Saint Martin, Brian Martin, Hilda Eliazer Aquino Lopez, Lillian Von Der Walde Moheno

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

Inside universities, struggles between academics often involve mobbing (collective bullying) and suppression of dissent and discontent. Shamefully, in some of these struggles, graduate students become targets of aggression as an indirect method of attacking their supervisors or mentors. Based on anecdotal comments and recollections, it is plausible that there might be hundreds or thousands of cases of this unethical and highly damaging phenomenon, but it has seldom been documented. Our aim is to initiate a discussion of goals, methods, dynamics, and negative impacts of these indirect attacks that use students as proxies and pawns in battles of which, much of …

Educating Law Students For Rural And Regional Practice: Embedding Place Based Perspectives In Law Curricula, Amanda Kennedy, Trish Mundy, Jennifer Nielsen, Caroline Hart, Richard Coverdale, Reid Mortensen, Theresa Smith-Ruig, Claire Macken

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

The attraction and retention of professionals generally in rural and regional Australia is an on-going concern. Recent attention has focused upon the recruitment of lawyers and legal professionals to rural and regional areas, where the proportion of lawyers practising has steadily declined over the past twenty years. While the precise extent of the decline is difficult to assess, and the causes of recruitment and retention issues for lawyers in rural and regional areas are nuanced and can vary from region to region, it is clear that concern about attraction and retention is a national one. A national survey conducted in …

How Do You …? Use Film Viewing To Enhance Students’ Analytical Skills?, Alfredo Herrero De Haro

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

Many teachers, and I have been one of them, treat listening skills as something that is innate and that can be neither learnt nor taught. That is, as something that students either can or cannot do, and as something that teachers have no control over. However, trial and error in lessons has shown me how, irrespectively of students’ level in the L2, there are certain things that we can teach students to make them better listeners and to help them understand how to improve their (foreign) language comprehension.

The starting point will be preventing our students from being passive listeners, …

Ethical And Legal Issues In Teaching About Japanese Popular Culture To Undergraduate Students In Australia, Mark J. Mclelland

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

Interest in Japanese popular culture, particularly young people’s engagement with manga and animation, is widely acknowledged to be a driving factor in recruitment to undergraduate Japanese language and studies courses at universities around the world. Contemporary students live in a convergent media culture where they often occupy multiple roles as fans, students and ‘produsers’ of Japanese cultural content. Students’ easy access to and manipulation of Japanese cultural content through sites that offer ‘scanlation’ and ‘fansubbing’ services as well as sites that enable the production and dissemination of dōjin works raise a number of ethical and legal issues, not least infringement …

Heightened Potentials: Assisting Students To Work Independently And Collaboratively In The Creative And Performing Arts Disciplines, Lotte Latukefu, Marcus O'Donnell, Grant N. Ellmers

Faculty of Creative Arts - Papers (Archive)

Australian universities are currently engaged in a number of important intersecting curriculum review and quality assurance process. These include development of university-based Graduate Qualities and development of national, discipline-based Standards. It is increasingly apparent that identifying, clarifying, measuring and promoting these markers of quality will play a vital role in the evolution of rigorous curriculum standards in the next few years. The aims of the current research project are to identify how learning and assessment are organised in music, theatre, graphic design and journalism programs in a Faculty of Creative Arts to assist students to work independently and collaboratively in …

Patterns Of Paid Work Among Higher Education Students: Implications For The Bradley Reforms, Joanne Dearlove, James Grice Thomas Marland

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

No abstract provided.

Book Review - Developing College Skills In Students With Autism And Asperger's Syndrome, Kimberley Mcmahon-Coleman

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

The support and success of students with disabilities is a key aspect of the social inclusion agenda. This cohort has been identified by the Bradley Report as one of the under-represented student groups requiring attention. In recent years, Australian universities have reflected a marked increase in students with registered disabilities. Many of these are "invisible" disabilities such as learning disorders, mental health disorders, or students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Novel Digital Food Photos Resource Enhances Knowledge Of Nutrition And Dietetics Students, Karen Walton, Anne Mcmahon, Chris Brewer, Joanna Baker, Janaye Fish, Fiona Manning, Sara Grafenauer, Meredith Kennedy, Yasmine Probst

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

A robust knowledge of food composition, the Australian food supply and cooking methods is integral to dietetics practice. Students learn these concepts across a variety of subjects, however a new dietetics subject in 2009 and a faculty based learning and teaching grant provided a timely opportunity to develop innovative new digital resources for students to enhance their food composition knowledge. One-hundred and sixty high quality digital food photographs were developed and nutrient composition data were added, before making the resource accessible to students via their eLearning sites. The primary aim of this study was to assess the views and experiences …

Supporting The Language And Learning Development Of Eal Students In Australian Higher Education, Paul J. Moore

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

The role of learning advising in improving the educational outcomes of students for whom English is an additional language (EAL) in Australian universities has received significant attention in recent years. A combination of research findings, governmental pressure and media scrutiny has provided renewed impetus for universities to address issues of language proficiency and academic literacy amongst the growing population of onshore international students for whom English is an additional language (EAL). In this paper, I discuss the role of academic language and learning advising in the Australian university context, including how this practice is influenced by a range of political, …

'Placing' The Other: Final Year Law Students' 'Imagined' Experience Of Rural And Regional Practice Within The Law School Context, Trish Mundy

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

This paper discusses the partial findings from a research study involving a narrative analysis of in-depth interviews with twelve final year law students. The research explored student attitudes to, and perceptions of, legal practice in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities – that is, their ’imagined experience’. The research findings suggests that, at least in the context of the non-regional law school, the rural/regional is both absent and ‘other’, revealing the ‘urban-centric’ nature of legal education and its failure to adequately expose students to rural and regional practice contexts that can help to positively shape their ‘imagined’ experience. This paper …

The Effect Of Viva Assessment On Students' Approaches To Learning And Motivation, Romy Lawson

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

Higher education aims to encourage students to achieve a higher level of understanding of their subject matter. In order for students to achieve these higher levels, they have to approach their learning at a deeper level (Prosser and Trigwell, 1999; Barrab and Plucker, 2002), and be motivated to achieve (Deci and Ryan, 1985). One factor that is seen as a major influence on students' intentions is their perception of the assessment of their learning (Gibbs, 2007; Ramsden, 2003; Biggs, 2003; Bransford, Brown and Cocking, 2000). A learner, who perceives that the learning outcome requires demonstration of understanding, application, and critical …

A Hangover And A One-Night Stand: Alcohol And Risky Sexual Behaviour Among Female Students At An Australian University, Heidi Gilchrist, Kylie Smith, Christopher A. Magee, Sandra Jones

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

There is a growing body of research in Australia exploring the alcohol consumption behaviours of young people and the attendant health and social risks associated with excessive use of alcohol (Chikritzhs et al. 2003; Mancina-Pena & Tyson 2007). A number of studies from countries such as the United States and New Zealand indicate that university students tend to drink at riskier levels than the broader population (see for example Wechsler et al. 1994; Kypri, Stephenson & Langley 2005; Wechsler & Nelson 2008). Data from Australia are limited, although the few studies that have been conducted suggest that Australian university students …

Why (Not) Alcohol Energy Drinks? A Qualitative Study With Australian University Students, Sandra C. Jones, Lance R. Barrie, Nina J. Berry

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Introduction and Aims. Alcohol energy drinks (AEDs) are a recent entry to the ready-to-drink market, but there is an absence of research into the reasons young people consume these products and their consumption-related experiences.The aim of the current study was to investigate university students’ perceptions of, and experiences with, pre-mixed AEDs.

Design and Methods. Four focus groups with undergraduate university students in a large regional city in New South Wales; with transcripts coded for key themes.

Results.Participants reported a number of benefits of AED consumption,many of which were similar to other ready-to-drinks, such as taste and image. However, the primary …

Constructively Aligned Teaching Methods And Students' Approaches To Learning And Motivational Orientations, Romy Lawson

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

Most studies have found that, at the contextual level (e.g. degree programme) approach to study is stable over time (e.g. Busato, Prins, Elshout and Hamaker, 1998). At the situational level (e.g. a module) the results are possibly less equivocal, with studies reporting a decrease in deep approach at the end of the module (e.g. Newstead, 1998). Fazey & Lawson (2000) conducted a study that was contingent upon the use of a teaching approach that consistently raises expectations that a deep approach to learning is required and uses an assessment methodology that will reward such an approach. They found that students …

Tomorrows Workforce: Factors Influencing Nursing Students' Development Of Nursing Assessment & Clinical Skills, Andrew Horne, Patrea Andersen, Roy Brown, Patrick A. Crookes

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Research Design - The aim of this research was to: •Describe student nurses experiences undertaking nursing assessments on clients in clinical practice. •Identify factors influencing the students’ ability to perform assessments. •Determine the types of nursing assessments undertaken by students and the frequency of these. •Identify student involvement in completing assessment documentation on nursing assessments.

Enhancing Learning Through Strategies Lecturers Use: A Snapshot Of Students' Learning At A Satellite Campus, Joanne Dearlove, Jennifer Rowley

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

This study sought to investigate undergraduate Education and Commerce students’ perceptions of learning within a distributed learning environment at the Loftus Education Centre (LEC), University of Wollongong (UOW). The LEC was established in 2003 as part of a distributed learning environment comprising regional campuses and centres to enable UOW to deliver tertiary education opportunities to regional students. It offers both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. The distance of Loftus from the hub campus requires that, for reasons of economy and efficiency, studies often involve a blended learning approach. Also, the campus is small in size (an enrolment of 286 in 2009), …

Cinematic Hooks For Korean Studies: Using The ‘Apache’ Framework For Inspiring Students About Korea In And Through Film, Brian M. Yecies, Ben Goldsmith

Faculty of Arts - Papers (Archive)

Developing awareness of and maintaining interest in Korea and Korean culture for non-language secondary and tertiary students continues to challenge educators in Australia. A lack of appropriate and accessible creative and cultural materials is a key factor contributing to this challenge. In light of changes made to ‘fair use’ guidelines for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in the United States in July 2010, and in order to prepare for a time in the near future when Australian copyright regulations might follow suit, this article offers a framework for utilizing film and digital media contents in the classroom. Case studies of …

Click Or Clique? Using Educational Technology To Address Students' Anxieties About Peer Evaluation, Ruth Walker, Graham C. Barwell

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

Peer bias is recognised as a primary factor in negative student perceptions of peer assessment strategies. This study trialled the use of classroom response systems, widely known as clickers, in small seminar classes in order to actively engage students in their subject’s assessment process while providing the anonymity that would lessen the impact of peer pressure. Focus group reflection on the students’ impressions of the peer evaluation process, the use of clickers, and their anxieties about potential peer bias were analysed in the light of the results of teacher and class evaluations of each individual student presentation. The findings revealed …

Developing An Online Community Of Learners For Second Language Students Using Design-Based Research, Mariolina Pais Marden, Janice A. Herrington, Anthony J. Herrington

Faculty of Arts - Papers (Archive)

This paper describes the design of a research project that adopted a designbased research (DBR) approach to create and implement an online community of second language learners of Italian. For one semester a group of sixteen intermediate and advanced level students of Italian, their teacher and seven Italian native speaker facilitators participated in the activities of an online community of practice and interacted with each other through the communication tools and resources of an online learning management system. This paper presents the four phases of the study using the DBR model outlined by Reeves (2006) and the methodology that informs …

Editorial: Perspectives On Mobility, Migration And Well-Being Of International Students In The Asia Pacific, Peter Kell, Gillian Vogl

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

This edition of the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies explores issues relating to global student mobility in the Asia Pacific. The contributions to this edition from Australia and Malaysia emerged from a forum held in Australia in February where academics and researchers from Malaysia, China, Singapore and Australia presented papers and discussed ways of interpreting the character and the implication of global student mobility. The forum entitled International Students in the Asia Pacific: Mobility, Migration, Well-being and Security held from 13-15th February 2008 attracted over 40 presenters. The forum was hosted by the Centre for Asian Pacific Social Transformation …

Educational Acculturation And Academic Integrity: Outcomes Of An Intervention Subject For International Post-Graduate Students In Public Health, Julie M. Shaw, Paul J. Moore, Senthilkumar Gandhidasan

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This paper discusses a case study of a subject developed and implemented in a post-graduate public health program at the University of Wollongong that aims to foster the development of student academic integrity and related skills as students are introduced to a new educational culture. The subject adopts a formative, task-based approach where written and oral pedagogic tasks focus on various components of a final written assessment task. The subject was collaboratively developed by faculty and learning development staff and, in addition to the subject co-ordinator, its implementation is supported by library and learning development staff, as well as a …

Getting To Know Others: An Experience Of Students Of Japanese Through Online Chat Sessions, Ritsuko Saito

Faculty of Arts - Papers (Archive)

When learning a foreign language, online chat can be used to communicate with native speakers of the target language and to obtain information about that country. Interaction through such a medium often offers the only opportunity for learners to communicate with native speakers, particularly in regional areas where the learning environment provides limited access to the cultural activities and resources on offer in more metropolitan areas. This paper presents an experience of students of Japanese in a regional university through online chat. It examines the information students get to know about Japan and the Japanese and analyses how opinions of …

The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Academic Achievement In High Ability Students: Evidence From The Wollongong Youth Study., Wilma Vialle, Patrick C. L. Heaven, Joseph Ciarrochi

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement is one that is regarded by many educators as a well-established fact. This belief has been often invoked in order to argue against the provision of ability grouping for gifted students. Refuting that commonly-held belief, this research examined the relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement in 65 high-ability secondary students, a sample drawn from a longitudinal study of over 900 students. The research demonstrated that there were no differences in measured selfesteem between the gifted and non-gifted students. More contentiously, though, the research found no correlation between self-esteem and academic achievement for the …

Empowering J-Students To Think And Write In A 'Flat' World, Eric Loo

Faculty of Creative Arts - Papers (Archive)

Australian journalism education has progressed from its vocational model. predominant in the '70s and '80s. to a somewhat hybridised form where theoretical explications sit comfortably with skills training. The past decade or so has seen a distinct body of Australian journalism practice-led research emerging, with applied journalism texts authored by local educators used widely in undergraduate and postgraduate classes. The journalism education paradigm may well soon shift, with the useful features retained and less useful ones discarded. This commentary explores some of the useful features.

Changing The Channel: What To Do With The Critical Abilities Of Law Students As Viewers?, Cassandra Sharp

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

It is now generally acknowledged within the cultural studies tradition that media can actually be consumed in a mediated sense - that is, oppositionally and not hegemonically. The viewer is no longer seen as powerless and 'vulnerable to the agencies of commerce and ideology', but rather as both selective and active. Law students, as viewers, are constantly interpreting, transforming and producing meaning in relation to the images of law presented to them. They are utilising this process to not only make sense of the law, but also to analyse and reflect on their personal ideas and values in light of …