Education Commons^™

Everything In Moderation: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Rowena H. Scott, Bev Ewens, Lesley Andrew

eCULTURE

This discussion paper describes the review and development of a standardised moderation of assessment process in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. This initiative was the result of collaboration between two nursing course coordinators and a Centre for Learning and Development academic who provided the scholarship of moderation of assessments. A review of the current moderation processes revealed the potential for variation amongst markers especially due to the large number of new and sessional academic staff. A recommendation from the review was the need for a moderation process that provides evidence for reporting and is not difficult for academic staff …

Develop A Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) Education Package In Jordan: Using Participatory Action Research Approach To Create Ripple Of Change, Shereen Hamadneh, Jehan Hamadneh

eCULTURE

IInfant mortality is high in Jordan, a developing country in the Middle East, at 19 per 1000 live births. Most mortality risk factors are preventable. The SIDS incidence rate has also been extrapolated as 11.22 per 1000 live births [1]. This is much higher than the United State of America (USA), a developed country (0.54 per 1000 live births) [2]. Most of modifiable SIDS risk factors can be reduced by increasing knowledge, change behaviors and practices regarding SIDS risks and prevention measures.

There has not been a major investment in educating Jordanians about SIDS. Heath care providers are identified …

Moocs, Learning Analytics And Learning Advisors, Ron Monson, Diane Bunney, Teresa Lawrence

eCULTURE

The advent of Massive Open Online Courses has been variously described as heralding the end of the modern university or alternatively, an over-hyped re-badging of existing online content whose advantages have already been realised. Appeals to ideology however, have typically characterised coverage of both polarities rather than hard evidence; in particular, there has been much less analysis on just how learning outcomes are impacted by either “face-to-face” interaction or online/digital environment. Less dichotomously and even more rarely addressed is perhaps a more pertinent question: What blending of the two learning modes works best and in what circumstances? In this paper …

The Future Of Assessment Is Mobile, Alistair Campbell

eCULTURE

Mobile devices now allow us to capture a students learning in situ. Although the iPad is largely used in education, its use is often as a supportive tool and not on endemic to assessment. Digitisation of assessment holds the promise of reducing the assessment load to two-thirds of the current administrative workload. The process transforms to a co-creative learning experience negotiated between the teacher, student and parent.

Sids Poster, Shereen Hamadneh

eCULTURE

This study sought to develop, implement and evaluate a Jordanian SIDS Education Prevention Program (JSEPP), to reduce mortality rates due to SIDS in Jordan. This study targeted health care providers, who subsequently delivered the information to families.

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 …

Designing An Authentic Blend: Development Of A ‘Real-Life’ Learning Environment For Higher Education , Tara Smith, Jenni Parker

eCULTURE

Increasing student enrolments in higher education have created new challenges for universities to address, if they are to provide a quality learning experiences for all students. One key challenge is identifying how to construct more flexible, interactive and engaging student-centred environments that can support students’ transition to the workplace. This article describes how teaching and learning processes have been reengineered to design an authentic blended learning environment that offers students real-life learning experiences supported by new technologies.

First Year Experience (Fye): International Students’ Experiences , Catherine Ferguson, Bronwyn Harman, Lynne Cohen, Shelley Beatty, Mary Boyce, Sue Sharp, Kevin Vanderplank

eCULTURE

International students confront a range of challenges during their transition to living and studying in Australia. Despite these challenges over 80% of international students reported high satisfaction with their life and study within Australia. This qualitative study reports on the experiences of 53 first year international students at ECU. Participants were students from across a range of study areas who responded to an online or face to face survey. Participants were required to respond to four questions which were analysed thematically to provide a summary of their experiences. Survey questions included their positive and negative experiences of being a first …

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 …

E-Books For Research & Knowledge Creation!, Atul Chandra

eCULTURE

New opportunities and challenges of the digital age are creating a paradigm shift in research, teaching and learning. As a result, the traditional education model based on the printed book, is radically being transformed. There is now an opportunity to convert the existing “educational factories” into future “educational laboratories”, by exploiting constructivist methodologies. For maximum impact, it is imperative that the rapidly evolving digital technologies, such as e-Books enable academic research and education in a constructivist way. In order to evaluate the digital needs of academia, the definition of digital natives and digital immigrants have been expanded to introduce the …

Using Digital Lectures To Assist Student Learning, Ray Boffey, Paul Gerrans, Sophie Kennedy

eCULTURE

This study explores the use and usefulness of digital lectures as a resource to augment conventional face-to-face lectures for students in an undergraduate business course. Twelve digital lectures were provided to students enrolled in a third year finance unit of study. The digital lectures were prepared at the desktop using proprietary software to record on-screen activity (including lecture slides, real-time annotations and demonstrations) and voice-over narration. Each lecture was made available online and on CD concurrently with the face-to-face lecture (attendance at which was voluntary). Twelve principles of multimedia design (Mayer 2009), based on dual-coding theory (Paivio 2006) and a …

Are They All The Same? Lurkers And Posters On The Net, Beth Walker, Janice Redmond, Andras Lengyel

eCULTURE

Contemporary trends aim to shift the majority of services offered online. While expectations are very high that people will engage, learn and communicate via the Internet not everyone does and not all technologically designed services are successful. Little is known about online behaviour. This paper adds to the knowledge about two online behavioural groups, Lurkers and Posters by identifying two categories within each of these groups. The two types of Lurkers identified were categorised as Passive and Active Lurkers while the two types of Posters identified have been categorised as either Initial or Responding Posters. This information is valuable as …

A Novice Lecturer’S Foray Into Creating An Engaging Online Learning Experience In A Higher Education Environment, Jenni Parker

eCULTURE

As student enrolments increase in online learning courses in higher education it is imperative for universities to address a number of challenges in order to provide quality learning experiences. One of the key challenges is identifying how to construct interactive and engaging student-centred environments that can support communication and collaboration. This article describes how an existing instructional framework was used to redesign an online unit to create a student-centred learning environment supported by technology to encourage learners to interact, communicate and collaborate. It explains the rationale for the unit design and how new technologies were used by students as cognitive …

Five Myths And Realities About Generation Y, Jenny Devine

eCULTURE

The notion of generational differences has been around since society has been documented. The bible documents conflict between generations. In the 1950’s, Elvis Presley’s unashamed hip swivelling was surely going to be the end of society. Our parents did not understand us, and we struggle to understand why our children would prefer to spend hours on interactive video games instead of kicking a football in the park. Our world is very different today from the world of our parents, grandparents and their parents, so it stands to reason that generations will adapt to a different world as well as influence …

Improving Marking Of Live Performances Involving Multiple Markers Assessing Different Aspects, Julia Wren

eCULTURE

Assessment in the arts can be challenging. The problems associated with assessing student performances are that judgements are complex and even more so when they involve multiple markers (Campbell, 2005). It can be difficult to ensure assessment is fair, valid and reliable and that students are provided with clear feedback that is meaningful to them. This paper describes the development and trialling of an innovative, technology supported tool, designed to improve the confidence, efficiency and effectiveness of student performance-based assessment in arts education. This project is a work in progress and early trials of the Internet based digital computer technology …

In-Course Language Support: Working Towards Best Practice, Anne Harris, Joanna Ashton

eCULTURE

In Australian universities, student demographics over the past decade have changed markedly. The main shift is an increase in the number of students who have English as an additional language or are the first in their family to enter higher education. As student populations diversify, many universities are recognising that language and academic support programs require different emphases. For years, the fundamentals of learning support revolved around centrally run workshops and individual consultations but recently, a number of universities have moved towards contextualised in-course support. This paper looks at a similar shift. In 2010, learning support at Edith Cowan University …

Children’S Literature And The Early Years Learning Framework, Helen Adam

eCULTURE

This paper looks at the value of using children’s literature to achieve the outcomes of the recently released Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). The author makes a case for curriculum developers and higher education trainers of early childhood carers and educators to understand the value of using children’s literature as a resource to achieve the outcomes of the EYLF. The author firstly looks at the background and key aims of the EYLF. The author examines research evidence of the uses of children’s literature in values education and in the social, emotional and the psychological development of the child. The author …

Enhancing Relevant Curriculum Engagement In The Applied And Analytical Chemistry Course, Rowena Scott, Mary Boyce

eCULTURE

At ECU, Curriculum Engagement and Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) are key elements in the University’s strategic direction and significant features of many undergraduate courses. There are several forms of Engagement in course design and units that deepen students’ skills and knowledge of practice in realistic workplace and community contexts; develop their employability and generic skills; and contribute to graduate work and career readiness. This partnership project between two academics, one in Centre of Learning Development (CLD) and one teaching in the School of Natural Sciences, aims to increase Curriculum Engagement in the Bachelor of Science (Applied and Analytical Chemistry). Reflecting …

Optimising Automated Feedback Systems To Motivate Students, Peter Mansfield, Daniel Boase-Jelinek

eCULTURE

We have developed a customisable, web-based proficiency test system that delivers randomised questions, contextual data, and formative feedback to students as part of the Business Edge program for Bachelor of Business students at Edith Cowan University. Our primary aim in developing this system was to create a web-based learning environment that promotes motivation and learning through controlled formative feedback. Additional aims included: the development of easy-to-use lecturer administration; automated record keeping; automated marking; and the ability to offer students multiple attempts on a given test (with new questions / datasets for each attempt). These ‘lower-level aims’ were met successfully. Nevertheless, …

"I’M Not Shure About Her Spelling..." Learning To Teach; What Do Pre-Service Teachers Report? Introducing Grammar And Embedding Student Learning Advisors In A Journalism Unit, Ruth Callaghan, Ann Beveridge

eCULTURE

To journalism employers, the ability to spell, punctuate, use correct grammar and write clearly are key attributes that are sought from journalism graduates— but not always found (Callaghan and McManus, 2009; Sheridan Burns, 2003; Ricketson, 2001). This paper describes a problem-based learning approach aimed at improving student writing in a foundation journalism unit at Edith Cowan University. Exercises and assessments were developed to increase understanding and awareness of spelling, grammar and punctuation, using a combination strategy that embedded a student learning advisor in the unit. Students participated in intensive grammar workshops before undertaking peer editing of all written assessments, as …

An Engaging Leadership Framework (Elf) Project Investigating How Gen Y Students Learn , Patricia Williams, Rowena Scott, David Paine

eCULTURE

This paper describes a research project to improve teaching methods to cater for Gen Y and Millennium student learning. The project was initiated by participation in using the Engaging Leadership Framework project and is designed to undertake research to inform teaching. Planned to take 18 months, it aims to spawn parallel projects on improving teaching for current younger generation university students. The objective is to improve student engagement in their own learning whilst also improving the research group members’ individual teaching approaches. Two academics from different disciplines identified a common concern that their teaching styles may not be meeting the …

Learning To Teach; What Do Pre-Service Teachers Report?, Dawn Naylor

eCULTURE

This study seeks to understand the phenomenon of learning to teach. This phenomenon was approached by questioning who is learning to teach; what has to be learnt; where, when and how does learning to teach occur? In this regard the individual, professional and contextual aspects of learning to teach represent a socio-cultural perspective. This study seeks to examine the extent to which pre-service teachers identify and attribute individual, professional and contextual aspects as significant influences on learning to teach. The study involved a mixed model approach. The main qualitative part of the study was based on phenomenological research as it …

Students Write Short Advertisements To Convey Benefits Of Google Online Marketing Challenge, Peter Ling

eCULTURE

University marketing students prefer experiential learning through competitions, internships, live authentic projects, and student businesses. The Google Online Marketing Challenge, the largest global student competition, has attracted over 30,000 students from 700 universities across 70 countries since its launch in 2008. Academics have researched various aspects of the Challenge quantitatively and qualitatively with closed and open-ended questions but no researcher has as yet asked students to express their learning of online marketing through the AdWords format, a core element of the Challenge that requires student teams to craft three lines of advertising texts within specific character counts to convey key …