ALTC Grants Awarded

Project Title
LiFE - Learning Interactively for Engagement: meeting the pedagogical needs of refugee students in two Western Australian Universities.

Partner Institution
Curtin University

Grant Category
Competitive Grants Program 2007 [Priority Two] Diversity

Project Duration
2 years 2008/9

Abstract
This project seeks to develop an innovative teaching and learning program designed to meet the particular needs of refugee students to engage with university learning. Murdoch University and Curtin University will collaborate to create a program which is flexible and modular in structure and which has the potential to be embedded into mainstream units. The program will be specifically tailored to address the needs of refugee students, with a specific focus on refugees from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Project Title
Curriculum Development and Assessment of Methods to Enhance Communication and Life Skills in Veterinary Students.

Partner Institutions
University of Sydney and University of Queensland

Grant Category
Priority Projects

Project Duration
2 years 2007/9

Abstract
This project aims to improve the development and assessment of student competencies in professional communication and life/leadership skills. This will be achieved through the development of innovative learning and teaching strategies throughout the curricula of the collaborating institutions. Effective and empathic communication is an essential attribute of veterinary graduates and includes aspects of personal and social/emotional intelligence and team skills. Uniquely in veterinary science, it also includes an applied understanding of the human-animal bond. Assessment of both the curriculum and changes in student competencies will be an essential part of the project, with a collaborative sharing of experiences and outcomes with staff at all Australasian veterinary schools.

Project Title
Enhancing the Student Educational Experience through School-based Curriculum Improvement Leaders [CILP]

Grant Category
Leadership for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
Disciplinary and cross-disciplinary leadership projects

Project Duration
3 years 2006/8

Abstract
This project aims to facilitate sustainable long-term change in learning and teaching at Murdoch University through developing the capacity of a group of School staff to lead curriculum improvement within their schools and across the university. The underpinning aim is to improve the quality of learning and teaching by creating a high quality educational environment which caters more appropriately to the diverse needs of today's students.

Project Title
The Whole of University Experience: retention, attrition, learning and personal support interventions during undergraduate Business Studies.

Project Leader and Lead Institution
Dr Lesley Willcoxsen
University of the Sunshine Coast

Murdoch University Investigators
Prof Jan Thomas
Assoc Prof Domenico Gasbarro

Grant Category
Leadership for Excellence Program

Partner Institutions
University of Sydney, Monash University, Griffith University, University of South Australia, Murdoch University, University of Southern Queensland.

Abstract
The primary purposes of this seven-university collaborative project are to:

1. Enhance evidence-based practice relating to student retention by
   a) identifying the factors and combinations o factors critical to students' decisions to withdraw from studies in their first, their second, and their third year of their university studies, and
   b) identifying the student learning and personal support interventions that are key facilitators of students' decisions to remain at university throughout the course of their degree studies;
2. Increase the effectiveness of learning support and personal support interventions used by the partner universities, to better scaffold students' learning experiences and experience of university;
3. Provide data relevant to all Australian universities seeking to improve the effectiveness of the learning support and personal support interventions they offer their students;
4. Develop a bank of data that will provide the basis for a 'teaching and learning research concentration' in the Business Faculties of each partner university; and
5. Build capacity and community through the sharing – between staff from seven universities – of experience about existing student support interventions and changes to interventions arising from the project.

Project Title
Developing our staff: An eight university collaboration for mapping and delivery of a shared professional development programme for tertiary educators'.

Project Leader and Lead Institution
Belinda Tynan
University of New England

Murdoch University Investigators
Prof Jan Thomas
Dr Jennifer Weir
Dr Rick Cummings

Grant Category
Priority Projects Program

Partner Institutions
University of Canberra, Flinders University, University of Central Queensland, University of Newcastle, Ballarat University, Edith Cowan University and Murdoch University.

Abstract
This project proposes to promote shared conceptual frameworks about teaching and learning and to support strategic change in how graduate certificates of higher education (GCHE) contribute to the professional development of academic staff within a fast changing higher education context.

Project Title
The Impact of Web-based Lecture Technologies on Current and Future Practice in Learning and Teaching (Part 3)

Project Leader and Lead Institution
Dr Maree Gosper, Margot McNeill and Karen Woo
Macquarie University

Murdoch University Investigators
Dr Rob Phillips

Case Studies
Ingrid Richardson
John Bailey

Partner Institutions
University of Newcastle, Murdoch University and Flinders University

Abstract
This project is a collaboration between four IRUA universities and will be conducted between July, 2007 and January, 2008 when two case studies in the use of web-based lecture delivery technologies will occur at Murdoch University. The case studies are small action research projects that are both explorative and developmental in nature.

The impetus for the project arose from a need to develop an understanding of the implications of the use of web-based lecture technologies such as iLecture for the design and delivery of curricula, good teaching and high quality learning in higher education.

The project aims to identify:

1. how web-based lecture technology is being integrated into the curriculum, its role and relationship with other elements within the curriculum;
2. how the technology can effectively support learning and teaching in different contexts, taking into account disciplinary differences, student diversity, specific teaching aims and learning outcomes; and
3. the educational implications of its use for:
   
   • the design and delivery of curricula
   • academics and their teaching
   • students, their learning and the establishment of effective learning environments
   • professional development of academic staff
   • academic policies and practice