Lilly Conference Presentation 2014

Sharing learning and teaching experiences:  An Australian perspective on evidence based practice

Friday 21^st Feb, 2:00 – 2:40pm, Palm Room, Lilly Conference, Newport, CA.

 

To download the Presentation Handout click here

 

Abstract

Effectively disseminating the outcomes and experiences of funded learning and teaching projects is a challenge in any learning context. The development and dissemination of 11 Good Practice reports commissioned by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) and the Australian Government’s Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) between 2004 and 2011 illustrate this issue. The reports, written by topic experts collated funded learning and teaching projects, providing findings and recommendations back to the sector. Whilst offering great potential to influence practice through the evidence-based findings, dissemination issues highlighted the problematic nature of sharing learning experiences in a dispersed educational environment.

Active Learning Exercises

Active Learning Exercise 1.

Title: Building understanding of the Good Practice Reports and their relevance to practice.

Aim: Engage in a discussion about the GPRs based around the following 3 questions:

1. Do you feel that the reports offer you valuable insights as an educator which could inform your practice (Yes/No/Why)?
2. If so, how would you use these reports to improve or enhance your learning and teaching practice?
3. Which topics/reports are of most interest to you?

Active Learning Exercise 2.

Title: Challenges and successes in the area of dissemination

Aim: Engage in a discussion about difficulties of dissemination and how they may be overcome or reduced.

Each group will be asked to: 

• Key impediments to the effective sharing of learning and teaching outcomes and experiences. 
• Approaches and strategies, such as the Network of Australasian Tertiary Associations, which might be used to improve the sharing of learning and teaching experiences and outcomes at a range of different levels.

Note: All papers will be collected and a summary of the results will be published here on the NATAonthenet Blog.

Relevant Resources:

Australian Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) / Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Good Practice Reports available here <http://www.olt.gov.au/resource-library/good-practice-reports>  or as listed below.

• Assessment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students (2011) Professor John Rice
• Assuring graduate outcomes (2011) Professor Beverley Oliver
• Blended learning (2011)  Professor Helen Partridge
• Clinical Practice (2011)  Professor Robyn Nash
• Curriculum renewal (2011) Dr Bhuva Narayan and Professor Sylvia Edwards
• Innovative Indigenous Teaching and Learning (2013) Professor Nereda White, Dr Jack Frawley, Ms Dang Thi Kim Anh
• Learning and teaching across cultures (2011) Associate Professor Betty Leask
• Revitalising the academic workforce (2012) Dr Deborah Southwell
• Supporting students’ transition into higher education (2011) Professor Trevor Gale, Professor Stephen Parker
• Technology enhanced learning and teaching (2011) Professor Mike Keppell, Associate Professor Gordon Suddaby, Ms Natasha Hard
• Work integrated learning (2011) Professor Janice Orrell

Gannaway, D., Hinton, T., Berry, B. & Moore, K. (2011). A review of the dissemination strategies used by projects funded by the ALTC Grants Scheme. Sydney: Australian Learning and Teaching  Council. <http://www.olt.gov.au/system/files/resources/PP9-1591%20UQ%20Gannaway%20D-Cubed%20Final%20report%202011.pdf>.

Please be in touch if you have any questions, Natasha.Hard@usq.edu.au