Education Commons^™

Developing Deep Understanding About Language In Undergraduate Pre-Service Teacher Programs Through The Application Of Knowledge, Lisl Fenwick, Sally Humphrey, Marie Quinn, Michele Endicott

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The development of deep understanding of theoretical knowledge is an essential element of successful tertiary-programs that prepare individuals to enter professions. This study investigates the extent to which an emphasis on the application of knowledge within curriculum design, teaching strategies and assessment methods developed deep knowledge about language within the first year of a tertiary-based teacher education program in Australia. Concepts of application from literature on tertiary-based learning informed the design of curriculum, teaching strategies and assessment within a unit on linguistics for pre-service teachers. Questionnaires, provided to students at the end of the unit, and analysis of a final …

Can We Use Grammar To Support Students’ Communication Skills?, Rebecca Blaxell

eCULTURE

Communication skills consistently rank as one of the skills most desired by employers and is included in the graduate attributes at ECU. This paper looks to examine why sound grammatical skills are considered important and what role it plays in the development of communication skills. It looks at the role of grammar in the tertiary classroom and at possible ways that university educators can help support students’ understanding of the grammatical structures needed in the text types that are most closely associated with the workforce. Using Halliday’s interpretation of register, grammar can be considered in terms of the function needed …

The Development Of A Student Focused Model For Transition To University, Lynne Cohen, Catherine Ferguson, Bronwyn Harman, Mary Boyce, Anne Harris, Megan Le Clus

eCULTURE

The transition to university is a well recognised challenge, especially for non-traditional students. This paper presents a student-focused model for the transition to university, developed through an extensive literature review, discussions with a range of professionals nationally and internationally, and first year teaching practice. The model was applied to the development of a range of strategies to be implemented at one institution. The use of the model may facilitate the development of a university-wide approach to the issues of student transition to university and the first year in higher education experience. The model will allow a balanced approach to be …

Creating Cultural Empathy And Challenging Attitudes Through Indigenous Narrative Project, Toni Wain, Moira Sim, Colleen Hayward, Juli Coffin, Donna Mak, Cobie Rudd

eCULTURE

The gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is too large to ignore. This has been attributed to social and economic disadvantage, access to health care and lack of cultural appropriateness of health services and providers. Creating culturally secure healthcare requires that we explore new ways for health professionals to relate to Aboriginal people. This article describes the development, implementation and early results from the Creating cultural empathy and challenging attitudes though Indigenous narrative project. The purpose of the project is to collect and trial narrative resources to engage students in stories of Indigenous people’s perceptions and experience …

Engaging Students In Peer Review: Feedback As Learning, Catherine Moore, Susan Teather

eCULTURE

There is a growing interest in developing the capabilities of learners to evaluate and improve their own work, as well as that of others (Boud & Falchikov, 2006; Oliver, 2011). At ECU our new undergraduate curriculum framework titled Curriculum 2012: Enabling the learning journey promotes the active engagement of students in assessment for learning. In order to successfully direct their own learning beyond university, students need to be able to identify the standard of performance to which they should aspire as a result of that learning, accurately locate where they are in relation to the standard, and then develop pathways …

Workplace Integrated Learning, Environmental Volunteering Or Service Learning?, Rowena H. Scott, Eddie Van Etten

eCULTURE

This discussion paper introduces the concept and practice of environmental volunteering as part of the process of Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) at Edith Cowan University. As well as introducing the theoretical background and definitions of both volunteering and WIL, this paper describes examples from Natural Sciences domain of students doing environmental voluntary work with community groups as a practicum which is a core unit within their course. Literature suggests that these examples should neither be defined as volunteering nor WIL so their definitions and classifications are debated. Review of these examples in light of the literature suggests the conclusion that …

Using The Delphi Technique To Identify Components Of A Tertiary Strategic Hrm Curriculum, Helen Sitlington, Alan Coetzer

eCULTURE

This study sought to identify key knowledge, skills and attitudes required of SHRM graduates as identified by experts in the academic and practitioner fields. The Delphi technique was selected as it has been used effectively in other contexts to develop consensus amongst experts for a range of purposes, including curriculum design. Explanation of this technique, the rationale for its use and reflections on its use in curriculum design by both participants and researchers is provided.

Improving Assessment Outcomes Through The Application Of Innovative Digital Technologies, Julia Wren, Alistair Campbell, John Heyworth, Christine Lovering

eCULTURE

Assessing students’ live performances is challenging because the marker needs to make complex judgements often very quickly while at the same time recording information and viewing the performance. The challenge increases when multiple markers are involved and moderation of marks is required. It can be difficult to maintain sound assessment principles, such as fairness and validity, and to offer students quality and timely feedback. This paper describes a two phase, qualitative, action research project which trialled the use of an innovative, digital technology-supported assessment tool designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of assessment and moderation of live performances. The …

Embedding Innovative Assessment Practices To Develop Critical Appraisal Skills In A Third Year Social Science Unit, Susan Teather, Catherine Moore

eCULTURE

There is a growing imperative in tertiary education (nationally and internationally) to enable lifelong learning as a graduate outcome (Bologna Process, 2010: Boud & Falchikov, 2006; Oliver, 2011). At ECU our new undergraduate curriculum framework titled Curriculum 2012: enabling the learning journey promotes lifelong learning and assessment for learning. Lifelong learning implies developing both the capacity to learn and the ability to direct learning. In order to successfully direct their own learning beyond university students need to be able to identify the standard of performance to which they should aspire as a result of that learning, accurately locate where they …

The Synchronised Development Of Academic And Employability Skills And Attributes At University, Rebecca Blaxell, Catherine Moore

eCULTURE

In a competitive, culturally diverse and increasingly internationalised workplace students can no longer assume that possession of a tertiary degree will naturally lead to employment. There has been a shift in the mindset of employers, who now seek to employ graduates with “employability” skills and attributes in addition to traditional expertise within their discipline (DEST, 2002). At first glance this appears to have placed an additional burden on universities in preparing students to be active citizens and engaged leaders, both within their chosen field and broader society. This paper discusses the project we embarked upon to compare the skills and …

Emerging Critical Literacy In Teachers As Novice Researchers, Jennifer Mitton Kukner

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This paper explores the experiences of three teachers as novice researchers as they taught full-time in a university English language school in Turkey. Viewing the participants’ experiences as researchers through a narrative understanding of teacher knowledge and a critical literacy lens enhanced their critical cognisance of their positioning as women instructors in a higher education setting. Their research experiences were shaped not only by their classroom concerns but also by expectations and larger social narratives that lived beyond their classroom doors. This study focuses specifically upon English language teachers and acknowledges the intersection of gender roles and contextual constraints as …

Problem-Based Learning In Action: The Development Of The Virtual Health And Wellness Centre, Helen Metcalfe

eCULTURE

Nursing education in Australia has undergone significant change over the past 30 years. Most notably, the transfer from a traditional apprenticeship model to that of a professional degree based course in the tertiary sector. Contemporary healthcare institutions demand graduates who are ‘work ready’ and able to ‘hit the ward running’. The demographics of the Australian population indicate that groups of culturally diverse individuals are seeking healthcare along with an ageing population of Australians who have unique needs. The growing demand for more highly trained, work ready nurses has landed squarely on the shoulders of universities providing comprehensive nursing education. The …

Speed Dating: A Process Of Forming Undergraduate Student Groups , Nathalie Collins, Julie Goyder

eCULTURE

First year undergraduate students working on semester-long group assessments may lack the skills and knowledge to make sound choices in selecting other group members. This paper is an instructor’s guide to using speed-dating techniques in a classroom environment to create student groups. The paper also outlines suggestions for lecturers on how to support their students in the experience, based on theoretical constructs around the psychology of choice and work teams.

Teaching Applied Psychoanalytic Concepts With Online Assisted Technologies: An Australian Case Example, Sarron Goldman

eCULTURE

The present report is a review of an Australian case example of teaching psychoanalytic concepts with online assisted technologies. It is a first attempt to address a hiatus in the extant literature. A descriptive account of the hybrid teaching methodology that was employed is offered through a consideration of: students’ online responses, the teacher-developer’s reflections on his teaching experience, as well as formal and informal student feedback. Despite the anecdotal nature of the study, findings lend credence to the suggestion that the online medium has an enormous potential for teaching applied psychoanalysis. Specifically the cyber-classroom contributes to interactivity, situated learning, …

The First Global Google Online Marketing Challenge 2008: Perspectives Of Ecu Student Participants, Peter Ling

eCULTURE

University students enjoy experiential marketing education that involves live cases and competition projects. While empirical studies have focused on various marketing education disciplines, few have investigated live global competition projects in the integrated marketing communications discipline. This study explored the perspectives of Edith Cowan University undergraduate and postgraduate students who participated in the first global Google Online Marketing Challenge in April-May 2008 as an optional assessment in an integrated marketing communications unit, which is part of the Advertising and Public Relations majors in the School of Communications and Arts. Participation in the Challenge was analogous to Kolb’s experiential learning theory …

The Contribution Of Work-Integrated Learning To Undergraduate Employability Skill Outcomes, Denise Jackson

Research outputs 2013

WIL has attracted considerable attention as an instrument for enhancing professional practice and developing work-readiness in new graduates. It is widely considered as a point of difference in developing graduate employability by enhancing skill outcomes, such as team-work, communication, self-management and problem solving, employment prospects and student understanding of the world-of-work. This paper investigates the role of WIL in improving undergraduate employability skills; gauging its impact on a range of skills; and identifying variations in outcomes for certain demographic, study background and placement characteristics using survey data from 131 WIL students in an Australian university. Results indicate a significant improvement …

Using Semiotic Resources When Building Images Of The Part-Whole Model Of Fractions, Paula M. Mildenhall

Research outputs 2013

This paper reports an exploration in to the use of a combination of semiotic resources when teaching the part- whole model of fractions. The study involved a single case study of one class teacher and six students in an Australian primary classroom. Using video as the predominate research tool it was possible to describe how gesture and language were combined with two and three dimensional representations of folding paper, fraction walls and number lines to build images that appeared to enhance student understanding of the part- whole of fractions. I conjecture that the variety semiotic resources including gesture should have …

Promoting The Case For Using A Research Journal To Document And Reflect On The Research Experience, David Lamb

Research outputs 2013

This paper draws upon a personal research journey and makes the case for recording this experience using a research journal. tol The context for this paper is based on a study of family life and leisure, which collected data using more traditional qualitative methods, namely focus groups and interviews with pre-birth and post birth couples and leisure managers in New Zealand. The research design for this study was based on phenomenology, where the experience of the subjects being studied was significant and involved developing an understanding of the lived experiences of pre-birth and post-birth couples, where the way they acted …

Learning With Portable Digital Devices In Australian Schools: 20 Years On!, Christopher P. Newhouse

Research outputs 2013

Portable computing technologies such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, wireless networking, voice/stylus input, and plug and play peripheral devices, appear to offer the means of finally realising much of the long heralded vision for computers to support learning in schools. There is the possibility for the technology to finally become a ubiquitously invisible component of the learning environment, empowering children to attempt feats well beyond their current capabilities. These technologies are finding a place in many schools, and there has now been over two decades of research conducted into their use in schools. What is now known about implementing portable computing …

A Collaborative And Consultative Approach To Embedding Employability Skills Across The Curriculum, Diane Bunney, Leonard Therry

Research outputs 2013

This paper describes how a collaborative and consultative approach was applied to the embedding of employability skills across the twelve unit Master of Professional Accounting by one School in an Australian university. Three distinct phases are carried out in this project and reported on in this paper. The first phase involved identification of key employability skills. The second phase involved gathering of information from unit co-ordinators teaching in the program. Four main sources were investigated: unit plans, questionnaires, interviews, and then follow-up questionnaires. Information from these sources revealed that there was no co-ordinated approach to addressing employability skills in the …

University Student Volunteering Alignment With Sustainability Principles, Rowena H. Scott, Eddie J. Van Etten

Research outputs 2013

This research paper reviews the concept and practice of tertiary sciences students doing environmental volunteering, otherwise known as conservation volunteering, as a core part of their course to check its alignment with sustainability principles. First year Natural Sciences students at Edith Cowan University do five days environmental volunteer work with community groups as practicum. Initial research data displays the number of volunteer hours done by students in various types of activities, locations and organisations. Preliminary quantitative evaluations and qualitative comments demonstrate students’ positive attitudes and outcomes from their volunteering experiences. Definitions and classifications of sustainability from current literature are discussed …

Five Year Olds Doing Science And Technology: How Teachers Shape The Conversation, Anne Thwaite, Graham Mckay

Research outputs 2013

This paper presents an analysis of a series of lessons observed and recorded over nine weeks in a pre-primary classroom where children were undertaking science and technology activities. Using a functional discourse analysis, we describe how teachers use various strategies to structure the discourse to facilitate children's learning in this area. These strategies include various methods of controlling the topic and discourse participants, techniques involving questioning, ways of dealing with vocabulary and constructing inclusive relationships with children. We propose that explication of these discourse strategies is a valuable research tool for pre-service and new teachers who are evolving their own …

Through The Viewfinder: Reflecting On The Collection And Analysis Of Classroom Video Data, Angela Fitzgerald, Mark Hackling, Vaille Dawson

Research outputs 2013

The possibilities inherent in the collection and use of video footage point to an important innovation for classroom research. Unfortunately, researchers often experience uncertainty about incorporating video into their methodological approach as it can present a potential minefield of operational, technical, and ethical issues that require consideration and negotiation. Nevertheless, with the increased emphasis on the use of digital technologies, the timing is right to engage in more in-depth discussions about the role of video data in education research. In contributing to this discussion, this article unpacks several issues connected to the use of video technology as a tool for …

Getting Inside The Black Box Of Technology Integration In Education: Teachers' Stimulated Recall Of Classroom Observations, Jo Tondeur, Lorraine H. Kershaw, Ruben Vanderlinde, Johan Van Braak

Research outputs 2013

This study explored the black box of technology integration through the stimulated recall of teachers who showed proficiency in the use of technology to support teaching and learning. More particularly, the aim of the study was to examine how these teachers use technology in their lessons and to gain deeper insights into the multifaceted influences affecting their current practices. In order to explore this black box, observations and stimulated recall interviews with primary school teachers were conducted in schools which were selected by the inspectorate on the basis of advances they had made in educational technology use. Stimulated recall interviews …

Engaging Students In Peer Review: Feedback As Learning, Catherine Moore, Susan Teather

Research outputs 2013

There is a growing interest in tertiary education in Australia about developing the capacity of learners to evaluate and improve both their own work and that of others (Boud & Falchikov, 2006; Oliver, 2011). In order to successfully direct their own learning beyond university (and engage in lifelong learning), students need to be able to evaluate their performance in relation to a standard, identify gaps, and determine how to bridge them in order to achieve the desired standard if required. One strategy that can be employed to help students achieve this is engaging them actively in a feedback process, so …

Environmental And Conservation Volunteering As Workplace Integrated Learning For University Students, Rowena H. Scott, Eddie Van Etten

Research outputs 2013

This research paper introduces the concept and practice of tertiary sciences students doing environmental volunteering, also known as conservation volunteering, as a core part of their course. First year Natural Sciences students at Edith Cowan University do five days environmental volunteer work with community groups as a practicum, currently known as Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL). Initial research data displays the number of volunteer hours done by students in various types of activities, locations and organisations. Preliminary quantitative evaluations and qualitative comments demonstrate students’ positive attitudes and outcomes from their volunteering experiences. Definitions and classifications of volunteering and WIL from current …

Should Silent Reading Feature In A Secondary School English Programme? West Australian Students' Perspectives On Silent Reading, Margaret Merga

Research outputs 2013

The purpose of my article is to provide an opportunity for reflection on the merit of incorporating Silent Reading into secondary learning programmes. The role of Silent Reading in the learning programme has been the subject of recent research, yielding mixed findings. I explore the current issues that have arisen in research which warrant the consideration of practitioners, with a particular focus on adolescent learners. These issues are subsequently examined in light of findings from the recent West Australian Study in Adolescent Book Reading. Qualitative data from semi-structured, dyadic interviews were gathered and analysed, with the reflections of students providing …

Tablet Pc Use In Teaching And Learning : A Case Study, Andrew Stewart

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

With the emergence of the use of the traditional (non-touch screen) notebook computer in the classroom, different teaching styles and equipment have been introduced. Teachers have started to use the Notebook PC to support their teaching. They now have the ability to gather and use a far greater range of materials in the classroom with little distraction.

The introduction of the touch screen Tablet PC has brought another dimension to the way technology can be used in the classroom. This study seeks to investigate the ways in which Tablet PC technology has been used to enhance the learning of students …

The Teaching And Learning Of Word Problems In Beginning Algebra : A Nigerian (Lagos State) Study, Omolola A. Ladele

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

At both the junior and senior secondary school levels in Nigeria, student performance in mathematics examinations has been poor. Within the context of large classes, with inadequate facilities, and teaching and learning in a second language, algebra and algebra word problems are introduced to students during their first year of junior secondary school. The transition from primary school arithmetic to the use of the algebraic letter is challenging to students and it is important that teachers should know the likely difficulties and misconceptions students may have as they begin algebra (Welder, 2012).

In this study, the impact of a teacher …

Implementing A Reggio Emilia Inspired Approach In A Mainstream Western Australian Context: The Impact On Early Childhood Teachers' Professional Role, Claire Hall

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Reggio Emilia, an approach to early childhood that was developed in a Northern Italian city of the same name, is highly regarded as acknowledged by educators and researchers world-wide (Gandini, 1993). The Reggio Emilia philosophy is distinguished by the presentation of an image of children as being strong, rich and powerful learners (Hendricks, 2004; Millikan, 2003). This approach is marked as being adopted and adapted to suit particular cultural and educational settings. These situation sensitive approaches are noted as being Reggio Emilia inspired.

This qualitative case study investigated how the professional role of four early childhood teachers was impacted by …