The following Murdoch staff members have received awards of $4,000 from the
Vice-Chancellor:
Receiving an Excellence in Teaching Award at Murdoch University is an outstanding
achievement when you consider our reputation for high quality teaching and that there are approximately
1200 full-time and part-time staff at the University. The Excellence in Teaching Awards seek to reward
teachers who are committed to helping students learn, and actively contribute to Murdoch's excellent
teaching reputation.
The selection process for the TEX Awards commences with the identification of the
10% of teaching staff who scored highest on the student surveys of teaching in the previous two semesters
or three trimesters. Staff who have received an award in the past five years are excluded and the
remainder are invited to submit a teaching portfolio. The portfolios are reviewed by a Selection
Committee of peers, which compiles a shortlist of up to eight candidates. These candidates are then
invited to give a presentation on a topic of their choice – a session that exemplifies their beliefs
and practices in teaching. These presentations are open to colleagues and always prove to be engaging
teaching and learning events. Each presentation is followed by a brief discussion between the presenter
and the Selection Committee.
The Committee this year found the calibre of teaching staff very impressive and consistent
with the high national ratings Murdoch receives from its recent graduates for the quality of their
educational experience. A short description of each recipient's teaching strengths is provided below.
Videos of the presentations by four of the six finalists are available in the Academic Staff Development
section in the Library. Additional information on the Teaching Excellence Awards can be found on
this website.
As Chair of the Selection Committee, I wish to thank those staff who elected to participate
in the process, and especially the members of the Committee who put in long hours reading material,
observing presentations and deliberating to arrive at consensus.
Please note that the selection criteria and process of short-listing and selecting
the final recipients is currently being reviewed to reduce the workload and encourage more participants.
However, the initial nomination process will again be based on the results of Student Surveys of
Teaching between July 2004 and June 2005. If you are interested in having a survey conducted, please
contact David Collings (x2974).
Dr Rick Cummings
Chair, Selection Committee
|
Johanne Klap
Division of Arts
|
Early Career Teaching Award Johanne Klap is a contract teaching staff member in the School of
Education. Her teaching is focussed on the teaching practice of student teachers. Her philosophy
of teaching is based on creating experiences in which students can learn, and helping student
teachers understand how people, including themselves, learn. Johanne demonstrates a natural ability
to combine teaching theory and practice in very enthusiastic and well structured sessions, which
provide an excellent model to student teachers studying at Murdoch.
Congratulations Johanne
|
|
Susan Hansen
Division of Health Sciences
|
Early Career Teaching Award Susan Hansen is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology, focusing
on qualitative research methods and community psychology. She also coordinates the Discourse
in Psychology Network and is co-founder of the Discourse Analysis Group, both of which provide
staff and students at Murdoch and elsewhere with the facilities to discuss issues of qualitative
and discursive research methods. Susan provides up to date and topical resources to students
for research projects and as case studies for learning about research methods. In addition,
she has developed innovative and integrated assessment techniques to assist students develop
the array of skills required in qualitative research.
Congratulations Susan
|
|
Dr Mike van Keulen
Division of Science and Engineering
|
Innovative Teaching Mike van Keulen is a graduate of Murdoch and a long standing member of the
Murdoch academic staff, specialising in plant biology and marine biology. He teaches on both
the Murdoch and Peel campuses, and contributes to science education through chapters in textbooks
and instructor resource manuals. He also maintains a strong record in marine research and is
a recognised expert in seagrasses. Mike was an early adopter of online technology to provide
high quality teaching and research resources to students. His innovative work in providing
laboratory resources integrates strongly into his teaching and field research activities. The
seamless integration of the various aspects of Mike's teaching is a model from which many staff
have and can learn.
Congratulations Mike
|
|
[ 
