Education Commons^™

Developing Quality Teaching Through Authentic Assessment And School-University Partnerships, Philip J. Pearson, Paul I. Webb, Gregory J. Forrest

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper examines the development of authentic assessment tasks focusing on the dimensions of quality teaching for pre-service teachers. Assessment tasks designed for students to continually put teaching skills into practice are essential to develop quality teachers. The process involved student and teacher consultation and the establishment of additional school-university partnerships. The purpose of the research was to review the school-university partnerships and to determine whether these links have been beneficial to the students and the schools involved. Forty physical and health education students in their final year of pre-service training were surveyed (questionnaire and interviews) along with personnel from …

Linking Teaching Games For Understanding And Quality Teaching In Nsw Secondary Schools, Philip J. Pearson, Paul I. Webb, Kim Mckeen

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

A discussion paper entitled Quality teaching in NSW public schools (Department of Education and Training, 2003) has been developed to improve teaching practice and hence student learning outcomes. The model of pedagogy outlined in this document focuses on the three dimensions of intellectual quality, quality learning environment and significance.

Elements associated with these dimensions such as deep understanding, higher order thinking, student direction and inclusivity can be difficult for teachers to implement into practical lessons. When effectively implemented TGfU is one strategy that allows teachers to address these elements when teaching games in physical education and sport. TGfU places an …

Naturalistic Inquiry In E-Learning Research, Shirley Agostinho

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Qualitative research means many things to many people. This evolving field of inquiry embraces a wide array of approaches, methods and techniques, and is accompanied with ongoing debate over what constitutes “quality” and “rigour”. This paper provides insight into how the Naturalistic Inquiry Paradigm (Lincoln & Guba, 1985) was operationalized in an educational technology research study that investigated the use of World Wide Web technology in higher education. A framework that situates the research study within the qualitative research literature sets the context of the research approach, a justification of how the study was “compliant” with Naturalistic Inquiry is presented …

The Use Of Embedded Tools And Support Materials Within A Classroom Simulation To Support Quality Teaching, Janice B. Turbill, Lisa K. Kervin, Brian Ferry, Brian L. Cambourne, John Hedberg, David Jonassen, Sarah Puglisi

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper focuses on the use of embedded tools and support materials within a web-based simulated classroom environment. The developed simulation prototype allows the user to adopt the role of a Kindergarten teacher where they have to “teach” a typical literacy episode that we have called “days of the week”. During this episode the user is asked to make decisions about the organisation of the classroom, management of the classroom, and the teaching and learning experiences to be offered.

A key component of this on-line simulation is the incorporation of an embedded tool, referred to as a thinking space, at …

The Quality Teaching Model: Does It Apply To Special Education Contexts In Nsw Public Schools, Roselyn M. Dixon, Leanna Formosa

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

In May 2003, the NSW Department of Education and Training introduced the Quality Teaching framework to NSW public schools for discussion and possible implementation. Principals and teachers were encouraged to use the framework for the twofold purpose of improving both teaching practice and student learning. While versions of the framework have been successfully used in USA and Australia, there is a paucity of research which reports on its merit, worth, or value for teachers of children with moderate intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study is to explore the degree of congruence and/or “fit” between the Quality Teaching framework and …

The Nsw Det's Quality Teaching Framework And The Realities Of A Special Education Classroom, Leanna Formosa, Roselyn M. Dixon

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

In May 2003, the NSW Department of Education and Training introduced the Quality Teaching framework to NSW public schools for discussion and possible implementation. Principals and teachers were encouraged to use the framework for the twofold purpose of improving both teaching practice and student learning. While versions of the framework have been successfully used in USA and Australia, there is a paucity of research which reports on its merit, worth, or value for teachers of children with moderate intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study is to explore the degree of congruence and/or 'fit' between the Quality Teaching framework and …

University Student Administration And Quality Improvement - A Holistic Approach, Narottam L. Bhindi, P Shanahan

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper explores links between quality in student administraiton with overall university quality. It identifies the need for a holistic approach to quality improvement in student administration within Australian universities. It suggests that the challenge for quality improvement is to first develop a knowledge of stakeholders' conceptions of quality and then design matching quality improvement processes and procedures within a 'learning organisation' context. Further, it argues that long term success in the area of quality improvement will be determined by 'authentic leadership' within a context of organisational cultural change.

The Self: How Does It Relate To Locus Of Control, Quality Of Life And Adaptive Behaviour For People With Mild Intellectual Disabilities?, Roselyn M. Dixon, Herbert W. Marsh, Rhonda Craven

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

Research has found that when people with intellectual disabilities are moved from institutions into smaller community-based services, positive outcomes have been recorded. However, positive outcomes have not been inevitable. It is now recognised that mere placement in the community is not always sufficient. Individual characteristics of clients and the nature of services received in the community may be very significant to maintaining normalisation and social role valorisation. Areas that have consistently been found to have an impact on community-based living are the social competencies and affective functioning of people with intellectual disability. Given the recognised importance, it is surprising that …

Ensuring High Quality Thinking And Scaffolding Learning In An Online World, John Hedberg

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper will review some qualities of effective technology-based learning resources and how they can support conceptual professional development and scaffold thinking through the use ofcognitive tools. It will also explore factors that are important to professional development, as teachers participate in online learning networks and communities. It will demonstrate examples ofeffective design that must be present to ensure that participants learn in meaningful and motivating ways.

Developing Evaluation Frameworks For Assessing Quality Ict-Based Learning In Higher Education, John Hedberg, Sandra Wills, Ron Oliver, Barry Harper, Shirley Agostinho

Faculty of Education - Papers (Archive)

This paper describes the evaluation of high quality learning designs which are being selected for possible redevelopment in a National Project funded by the Australian University Teaching Committee (AUTC). The project focuses on “Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Their Role in Flexible Learning” and is evaluating over 50 projects with a view to developing a range of software tools, templates and/or guidelines based on those that are de emed to be effective ICT - based learning projects. The approach is unique in that it tries to pinpoint the key attributes of ICT-based projects that make them suitable for application …