Education Commons^™

Advertising Practioners’ Educational Prerequisites: Differentiating The Needs Of Creatives From Non Creatives, Katherine Toland Frith, James Chen, Malcolm Chung

EDU-COM International Conference

Singapore‘s advertising industry is one of the clusters identified as an important growth area in the country‘s creative economy. The growth of the media industry, in particular the advertising industry has thus added urgency to call for higher institutions in Singapore to help nurture a pool of creative manpower by providing a well-rounded and comprehensive relevant education on advertising. An effective education policy is therefore a prime instrument in facilitating developments in this industry. A joint research initiative was conducted with the participation of a few advertising companies in Singapore. These included both creative agencies as well as media buying …

Augmenting Postgraduate Student Problem-Solving Ability By The Use Of Critical Thinking Exercises, M N. Johnstone

EDU-COM International Conference

This paper describes the results of a research programme whose focus was critical thinking and explores how information technology (IT) postgraduate students model problems. Some results from the programme show that IT students appear to improve their problem-solving ability by undertaking structured critical thinking exercises. An AC Nielsen survey commissioned by DETYA in 2000 sought to gauge employer satisfaction with graduates using a variety of methods including questionnaires, focus groups and in-depth interviews. A key finding was that ‗the skills employers consider to be most important in graduates are creativity and flair, enthusiasm and the capacity for independent and critical …

World Class Curriculum – On A Budget, S Ping Ping Maj, B N. Tran

EDU-COM International Conference

Universities must compete in an increasingly difficult global market place. In order to successfully do so they must identify and profile market segments in order to achieve a unique selling position. Partnering may provide only part of the solution. The Cisco Network Academy Program (CNAP) is the world‘s largest network curriculum developed at an initial cost of US$75 million. There are advantages to becoming a Cisco academy such as access to on-line curriculum and low cost equipment. However, with over 10,000 Cisco academies world wide it is difficult to achieve a marketing advantage. Cisco provides low cost equipment but academies …

International And Industry Partnerships Building Nursing Capacity In Thailand, Marita Sealey, Cobie Rudd, Christopher Churchouse

EDU-COM International Conference

A newly formed partnership between Edith Cowan University, the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand, a College of Nursing and two major hospitals in Bangkok is building capacity within Thai Nurses to manage mental health problems and HIV/AIDS. The partnership, funded through the AusAID Public Sector Linkages Program is developing and delivering these training programs in three phases. The first two phases support the development of the curriculum and planning for the course delivery, with Phase 3 being the delivery of a four month certificate course in each of the specialist areas, mental health and HIV/AIDS, to local Thai Nurses. …

Mentoring Pre-Service Elementary Teachers In Mathematics Teaching, Peter Hudson, Robert Peard

EDU-COM International Conference

Concern with primary teachers‘ content knowledge in mathematics and science has been extensively documented in the literature. Efforts to improve such knowledge require engaging students through new teaching and learning. One such action has been the development of a Foundations Unit, Scientific and Quantitative Literacy, for all first year pre-service primary teacher education students at Queensland University of Technology and the use of mentoring pre-service teachers‘ practical experiences with particular attention to mathematical and scientific components of their teaching. The unit and the approach taken has also been adopted by two Education Institutes in Malaysia in a joint Australia/Malaysia venture …

The Application Of Genre Theory To Improve Academic English Writing Courses, Karmolnad Malakul, Margaret Bowering

EDU-COM International Conference

The development of academic writing skills in English has recently become a global priority. However, these courses, where they exist at all, usually adopt an out-dated approach. This paper seeks to redress this by giving an example of a research program, where current linguistic theory was blended with an awareness of local conditions to good effect in terms of student outcomes. In this case what is known as genre theory was applied to the teaching of basic scientific report writing to final year science students at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University. According to genre theory, as interpreted by the Australian School of …

A Role Of The University Leader In The 21st Century: A Case Study At Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University,Thailand, Wanwadee Chaichankul

EDU-COM International Conference

Learning is a life-long process, it requires dedication and motivation on the students and lecturers part; and resources and moral support on the administrators part. A leader‘s duty in an educational institution is to provide a system where the lecturers achieve the desired learning outcome not only because they are empowered, competent and accountable, but also because they care. The co-administrators must exercise visionary leadership responsive to emerging learning needs of the nation; ensure adequate resources; promote appropriate technology; create and sustain a climate conducive to enhancing learning. The 21st century educational world is becoming highly competitive in many aspects. …

Reusable And Sharable Learning Objects Supporting Students’ Learning Of Data Structures In University Courses, K Chansilp, Ron Oliver

EDU-COM International Conference

Data structures are a conceptually demanding topic which confronts many computer science students early in their course. The topic has a strong conceptual basis and often proves difficult for many to grasp. This paper reports on a project which has developed a range of learning objects to help students learn about the different data structures and the algorithms by which they are controlled. Called VIDSAA, the suite of learning objects provides a visual representation which enables students to observe and interact with a large number of data structure algorithms as they are run and to observe and view the outcomes. …

The Suranaree University Of Technology – Mobile Examination Unit (Sut-Meu), S Chansilp

EDU-COM International Conference

This paper presents an online testing tool that may help extend flexible delivery for quality education. The Suranaree University of Technology – Mobile Examination Unit (SUT-MEU) is an alternative tool which offers an online test unit previously not available to educational institutes. SUT-MEU can be used by teachers to compose exams and grade exams, test proctors to set up the test server and students to sit exams. Both strongly encrypted exam file and public-key encrypted exam result file can be stored and transferred safely when the test needs to be set up elsewhere off campus and thus is designed to …

Emerging Opportunities For Income Growth At The University Of Dar-Es-Salaam: Private Public Partnership Development Projects, A S. Chungu

EDU-COM International Conference

Tanzania in 1986 went through a reform programme of shifting from central planned to a marketeconomy in that, trade, exchange and interest rates were liberalized and more than half of the 400 parastatals were closed down and/or privatised. In the second round of reforms that took in 1996 included institutional and structural reforms, at this time further transformation to a market economy, public administration and investment in key development sectors (education, health, agriculture, water, roads) took place. Such transformations resulted in increased macroeconomic stability and growth levels averaging 6 percent last year. In line with national reform programme, the University …

The Effects Of A Brain Development-Based Maternal Training Package (Bdbmtp) On Parenting Techniques And Preschool Child Development, Anchalee Tunsiri

EDU-COM International Conference

Background: The early years of life are crucial in shaping long term outcomes for children. The research consistently demonstrates that families have the greatest impact on the young. In this research traditional parenting is compared with parenting skills developed with an understanding of recent neurobiological research and its understanding of child development. These new parenting skills are taught through the training programme named BDB-MTP (Brain Development-based Maternal Training Package). Methods: The subjects consisted of 78 mothers and their 78 preschool children, divided into 2 equal groups. A non-equivalent control group design was used. A range of measures were taken before …

Boundaries Around Common Ground: Strategies In Supervision Of International Doctoral Candidates, Andrew M. Guilfoyle

EDU-COM International Conference

Within critical fiscal and social gains of diversity in hosting International Doctoral (ID) Candidates, it is important to explore boundaries around the successful outcomes related to these cohorts. Interestingly, despite this significant field, little systematic research has been published on the teaching practices of supervisors in the ID context. Set with transition research, the paper identifies the central role of supervisory practices in bounding effective transition of ID candidates. Based on data from several sources including an extensive review of literature, qualitative interviews with International Doctorates (n= 26) and a series of supervisors‘ workshops; key strategies for establishing ‗common ground‘ …

Deficiency Of Communication In English A Major Hindrance For Tourist Police In Thailand, Pat K-Romya

EDU-COM International Conference

This paper describes a qualitative and quantitative study that sought to investigate the problems Tourist Police officers encounter whilst communicating with foreign tourists in English language in their work. Foreign tourists‘ perceptions of Tourist Police officers' English language competency were explored. Moreover, the language learning strategies that Tourist Police officers usually use were examined, and the administrators and Tourist Police officers‘ requirements for a suitable training program were identified. The findings are discussed and analysed. The outcomes from this study will be considered in the review and development of the professional development programme for Tourist Police.

Forging Partnerships In Health Care: Process And Measuring Benefits, Cobie Rudd

EDU-COM International Conference

Universally, there is concern that much academic learning has dealt mainly in theory, removing knowledge from context with a resultant lack of practical experience. Here, the catalyst for strengthening university-community engagement, emanated from a desire to foster greater propensity within students to make connections between their academic courses and responsibility toward the community and people in need, and thus develop enhanced skills in social interaction, teamwork and effectiveness. This paper explores a variety of models of university-community engagement that aim to achieve and model good practice in policy making and planning around healthcare education and service development. Ways of integrating …

Teaching English As A Foreign Language To Grade 7 Students In Thailand: Genre-Based Versus Traditional Method, Sanguansri Torok, Russell F. Waugh

EDU-COM International Conference

This study compared a genre-based method of teaching English to Prathom (grade) 7 secondary students in Thailand and a traditional method. Rasch-generated linear scales were created to measure reading comprehension (based on 18 items with 300 students) and attitude and behaviour to learning EFL (based on 36 items with 296 students). The data for both scales had a good fit to a Rasch measurement model, good separation of measures compared to the errors, good targeting, and the response categories were answered consistently and logically, so that valid inferences could be drawn. Ninety students from three secondary schools in Ratchaburi, Thailand, …

Beyond Marks And Measurement: Developing Dynamic And Authentic Forms Of E-Assessment, Catherine E Mcloughlin, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

E-learning has transformed both pedagogy and learning environments and a new generation of learners has emerged, who require immediacy, connection and personalised opportunities for both formal and informal learning. Instead of using narrowly defined learning outcomes tested by examinations, social software tools offer scope for social connection and self-governed assessment tasks such as critical inquiry, collaboration and team work, giving learners multiple channels of expression, and perspective taking. While social software tools can be closely inter-woven with learning management systems, and be used to scaffold authentic tasks for assessment, there remain design and pedagogical challenges. The paper critiques current practice …

Curriculum As Praxis: Ensuring Quality Technical Education In Singapore For The 21st Century, Tiew Ming Yek, Dawn Penney

Research outputs pre 2011

Singapore, a small island city-state, has achieved notable economic advancement within 40 years since independence. It is fast becoming a global city and a knowledge society. In education and training, the Singapore system has evolved from its British roots. Macro performance indicators of participation rate, literacy rate and mean years of schooling, show that the current education system can be regarded as highly successful. The contributions of general education as well as technical education and training1 to the overall success of the nation are often cited. Technical education and training, which is globally perceived as having a lower status than …

Raising Edith: The Transformation Of A New Generation University: Edith Cowan University 1995-2005, Ken Spillman

Research outputs pre 2011

Adaptation is an important theme in ECU's history between 1995 and 2005, but the university's transmutation in that decade was revolutionary as well as evolutionary. Organisational reform was deliberate, broad, swift and consequential. It was accomplished in the face of significant resistance. The impact was measurable. ECU was ineradicably altered by means of a change management operation which, in the strictly corporate world, might well be described as 'reengineering'- a radical redesign process to 'achieve dramatic improvements in critical, contemporary measures of performance'.²

Identifying The Challenges In Teaching Computer Science Topics Online, Yuwanuch Gulatee, Barbara Combes

Research outputs pre 2011

In an attempt to provide educational opportunities to the students who are working or have other constraints on their time, many universities are developing distance education programs. In the past decade, web technology has been adopted to assist learners with studying at a distance. However, distance learning in the field of computer science, such as studying programming languages, remains challenging to teach via the web medium. There is little evidence that the effectiveness of web-based learning includes a process to solve complex problems. REFERENCES IN AN ABSTRACT!? In particular it can be problematic for technical subjects to be taught online …

Child-Centred Environments To Limit Early Aggression (Childhood Aggression Prevention (Cap) Project) Progress Report: Presented To The Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation, Child Health Promotion Research Centre, Edith Cowan University

Research outputs pre 2011

A growing body of evidence indicates that early intervention may be most effective in preventing the high health and social costs of violence, victimisation, and other outcomes of aggression. The Childhood Aggression Prevention (CAP) Project is a trial of a new classroom-based intervention designed to prevent problems associated with aggression and other problem behaviours in early-primary years students. The intervention was developed through a review of established and previously-evaluated programs with similar aims and through a formative study conducted previously by the Child Health Promotion Research Centre. The CAP Project aims to reduce overt physical and verbal aggression, but also …

Reusable And Shareable Learning Objects Supporting Students Learning Of Data Structures In University Courses, Kacha Chansilp, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

E-Learning 2.0: New Frontier For Student Empowerment, William Renner

EDU-COM International Conference

Second generation web applications (Web 2.0) are transforming elearning and opening new frontiers for learner empowerment, control and engagement. New online technologies allow individuals to filter and control existing content (aggregation), easily create new content (personal publishing) and rapidly communicate, inform and distribute this information with peers through online social networking services. Learners are able to construct highly personalized learning environments, assembled from a very large range of tools available on the internet, including blogs, wikis, podcasts and social bookmarking sites. Together the technical and social advances which characterize this change may even constitute a paradigm shift, which some authors …

Pastoral Care In Education, Lydia Hearn, Renee Campbell-Pope, Joanne House, Donna Cross

Research outputs pre 2011

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. During the past decade, there has been growing recognition the school environment plays a major role in the social and emotional competence and wellbeing of children. As a consequence, increasing national and international commitment has been directed towards the development of Health Promoting Schools2, with efforts being made to assess how curriculum and pastoral practice can best contribute to students’ social, emotional, physical and moral wellbeing. Within Australia, the National Safe Schools Framework3 has set as a key priority the importance of achieving a shared vision of physical and emotional safety and wellbeing for all students …

A Technology-Facilitated Learning Design Supporting Quality Assurance For Off-Campus And Off-Shore Course, Ron Oliver

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes a teaching approach that uses technology to support and encourage student learning in a first year university unit. At the same time, the technology provides a powerful support for quality assuring the delivery of the unit in off-campus mode and offshore modes. The paper describes the online system and its supports for learning. It also discusses the opportunities that this and similar applications of technology can afford the quality-assurance processes associated with teaching.

Information Systems In Western Australian Universities, Craig Standing, Janice Burn, Chad Lin

Research outputs pre 2011

Systems (IS) teaching and research within Western Australia (WA). A brief overview of the WA environment is followed by an exploration of teaching and research in the four main Universities. This is examined against the framework for the study and, in particular, the impact of social processes (Ariav et al, 1987; Klein et al, 1991) and local contingencies (Culnan et al, 1993; Checkland and Howell, 1998), which are found to be of relevance to historic developments.

Online Student Contracts To Promote Metacognitive Development, Mark Mcmahon, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

Knowing about one’s own cognitive ability, and how best to use this ability in understanding new educational content, solving problems and making effective decisions is one of the holy grails of education! Metacognition is widely perceived as being integral to effective learning and much literature and research has been devoted to this area. However online learning environments that effectively support the development of students’ metacognition are rare and difficult to develop. This paper describes one component (the student contract) of an online learning environment designed to support the development of metacognition through a cycle of planning, monitoring and evaluation. Students …

Best Practice In Online Assessment: Principles, Processes And Outcomes, Catherine E Mcloughlin, Joseph Luca

Research outputs pre 2011

Instead of using narrowly defined learning outcomes tested by examinations, technology offers a total environment where real life skills, such as written and verbal communication, collaboration and team work can be assessed by the team and tutor by giving learners multiple channels of expression, such as visualisation, multimedia presentations, audio and video resources. Thus, information technologies are closely inter-woven with the quality of the learning experience, and can be used to create authentic tasks for assessment. The paper presents several examples of authentic assesment utising information and communications technology.

The Trial Of Learning Objects: Exploring The Design And Delivery Of Vte Courses With Learning Objects, Ron Oliver, Mark Mcmahon, Peter Higgs, Rose Shum, Lisa Wait, Domenic Lou

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes a project undertaken in the Australian vocational training and education (VTE) sector that sought to investigate success factors associated with the design and delivery of courses using learning objects (LOs). The project explored the strategies used by three teachers as they used digital repositories to discover learning objects, and then applied the objects through a content management system to create online courses. The paper reports the factors that were found to influence the online learning settings that resulted and teachers' perceptions of LOs as building blocks for online courses.

Aboriginal Students And The Western Australian Literacy And Numeracy Assessment, Sean Gorman

Research outputs pre 2011

Since the introduction of standardised testing in Western Australia with the Western Australian Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (WALNA) it has become quite evident that Indigenous students' performance is well below that of non-Indigenous students.

As WALNA is now very much a part of the pedagogical landscape steps must be taken to ensure that those students who are not reaching the benchmark scores or the MSE requirements do progress...

Developing A Positive Experience Of Introductory Information Systems For Women At Two Australasian Universities, Rosemary Stockdale, Susan Stoney

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper examines how academics can contribute to encouraging greater uptake of IS majors by women. Using a qualitative reflective approach we identify the perceptions and experiences of female undergraduates taking introductory IS courses in two universities, one in Australia and one in New Zealand, and discuss ways in which to improve their learning experience. We examine ways to improve the delivery of introductory IS courses in order to make information systems more relevant and less dreary to women undergraduates. The paper concludes with some recommendations for marketing courses and areas of further research.