Education Commons^™

Australian Higher Education Institutions Transforming The Future Of Teaching And Learning Through 3d Virtual Worlds, Sue Gregory, Brent Gregory, Matthew Campbell, Helen Farley, Suku Sinnappan, Shannon Kennedy-Clark, David Craven, Deborah Murdoch, Mark Jw Lee, Denise Wood, Jenny Grenfell, Angela Thomas, Kerrie Smith, Ian Warren, Heinz Dreher, Lindy Mckeown, Allan Ellis, Matthew Hillier, Steven Pace, Andrew Cram, Lyn Hay, Scott Grant, Carol Matthews

Shannon Kennedy-Clark

What are educators‟ motivations for using virtual worlds with their students? Are they using them to support the teaching of professions and if this is the case, do they introduce virtual worlds into the curriculum to develop and/or expand students' professional learning networks? Are they using virtual worlds to transform their teaching and learning? In recognition of the exciting opportunities that virtual worlds present for higher education, the DEHub Virtual Worlds Working Group was formed. It is made up of Australian university academics who are investigating the role that virtual worlds will play in the future of education and actively …

Aboriginal Early Childhood Education: Why Attendance And True Engagement Are Equally Important, Jacynta Krakouer

Jacynta Krakouer

The Australian government has increasingly recognised the importance of quality early childhood education (ECE) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, as noted in a variety of policy documents such as the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Closing the Gap targets of the Rudd government in 2008, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010-2014, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy 2015 (Tye, 2014; Dreise & Thomson, 2014; Education Council, 2015). However, the focus in Aboriginal ECE is still on improving access to, and attendance at ECE centres in Australia rather than highlighting the reasons …

Preparing Computer Science Graduates For The 21st Century, Paul Parsons

Paul Parsons

The nature of computer use has changed remarkably in the past fifty years. However, most undergraduate computer science courses are still often taught through an old paradigm that is not adequate to address modern concerns. This 90 minute seminar will address some issues relevant to preparing computer scientists for the 21st century. These include issues central to human-computer interaction (HCI) such as cognitive and perceptual aspects of computer users, ergonomics, and human factors. Although there has been literature on this topic for at least the past 15 years, it is still not widely recognized nor understood by the majority of …

Why Facebook Is (And Isn't) A Pre-Service Teacher's Friend, Pauline Taylor

Associate Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy

Effects Of Greek Affiliation On African American Students' Engagement: Differences By College Racial Composition., Lori D. Patton, Brian K. Bridges, Lamont A. Flowers

Lori Patton Davis

This study used a nationally representative sample of African American college students to examine the degree to which their affiliation with a Greek-letter organization contributed to engagement in effective educational practices by analyzing National Survey of Student Engagement data at historically Black colleges and universities and predominantly White institutions. Overall, the findings indicated that Greek affiliation does enhance African American student engagement, particularly as it relates to interactions with faculty members and peers. Data also indicated that Greek affiliated members at historically Black colleges and universities appear to be more engaged than their counterparts at predominantly White institutions.

Forging Partnerships That Support Curriculum Renewal, Gail Wilson, Sandii Chan, Michael Brogan

Associate Professor Gail Wilson

There are a series of challenges facing academic developers in forging relationships with academic staff engaged in curriculum renewal. During 2003 and 2004 the School of Law at the University of Western Sydney engaged in a curriculum renewal project in partnership with the University’s Educational Development Centre. The challenges identified as a result of working on this project illustrate levels of engagement within relationship development, and provide substance for further exploration. This paper argues that awareness of these challenges is a significant factor in enhancing engagement and building productive relationships between academic developers and academic staff.