Students

EDCN871 – Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

2014 – S1 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Theresa Winchester-Seeto
Contact via theresa.winchesterseeto@mq.edu.au
C3B 407
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MA in Education Studies or MEChild or PGDipEChild or PGCertEChild or MEd or MEdLead or PGDipEdLead or PGCertEdLead or PGDipEdS or PGCertEdS or MHEd or PGDipHEd or PGCertHEd or MSpecEd or PGDipSpecEd or PGCertSpecEd or MTeach(Birth to Five Years)or MTransInterPed or PGDipTransInterPed or MIndigenousEd or PGDipIndigenousEd or PGCertIndigenousEd
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit offers an introduction to theory and research in student learning, university teaching and the development of critical reflection. It aims to give participants an overview and understanding of learning and teaching as a sound foundation for their own practice. Content, readings and activities will primarily focus on the relationships between how students learn and how teachers teach and the effects these have on the quality of student learning outcomes. In doing so we will explore students' conceptions of teaching and learning, models for critical reflection and scholarship, theories of learning and teaching, and learning environments.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;
  • apply various theories of learning and teaching appropriately in practical situations and justify your choice or approach;
  • devise innovative solutions to practical, real-world learning and teaching problems
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience
  • competently contribute to and demonstrate leadership of an online learning community;
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills that are appropriate to the purpose, medium and audience

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Critique of an article 10% March 19
Project Proposal 0% April 23
Presentation 20% May 17
Online Learning Community 25% June 11
Final Report 45% June 18

Critique of an article

Due: March 19
Weighting: 10%

Write a 1000 word  analysis of an article related to learning and teaching theory.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills that are appropriate to the purpose, medium and audience

Project Proposal

Due: April 23
Weighting: 0%

Submit a project proposal for approval and discussion with your unit convenor


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;
  • apply various theories of learning and teaching appropriately in practical situations and justify your choice or approach;
  • devise innovative solutions to practical, real-world learning and teaching problems
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills that are appropriate to the purpose, medium and audience

Presentation

Due: May 17
Weighting: 20%

You will make an oral or online presentation to the group about your project and recieve peer feedback to inform your final report.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;
  • apply various theories of learning and teaching appropriately in practical situations and justify your choice or approach;
  • devise innovative solutions to practical, real-world learning and teaching problems
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills that are appropriate to the purpose, medium and audience

Online Learning Community

Due: June 11
Weighting: 25%

You will be contributing to and taking the lead in a discussion forum on iLearn throughout the semester. You will also produce a report on your contributions and reflections about the process, and this part is due on June 11.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience
  • competently contribute to and demonstrate leadership of an online learning community;
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills that are appropriate to the purpose, medium and audience

Final Report

Due: June 18
Weighting: 45%

The final report is based on a scenario where you will be asked to b find an innovative solution to a real world problem.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;
  • apply various theories of learning and teaching appropriately in practical situations and justify your choice or approach;
  • devise innovative solutions to practical, real-world learning and teaching problems
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills that are appropriate to the purpose, medium and audience

Delivery and Resources

This is an online unit and you will need regular access to the internet to participate.

There are five modules on the iLearn site to work through and your learning is supported through learning activities and/or on campus classes. Using the iLearn Discussion Forum we aim to foster an online learning community to promote debate, discussion and exploration of ideas between all participants. This will require regular participation each week, and there is an assessment task connected with the forum.

Internal students must attend the on campus sessions, four of which are held on Wednesday evenings from 5.30pm-7.30pm in room E6A 116; dates are listed on the unit schedule. There is also one Saturday on campus session on May 17, from 9.30-3.30. External students who reside in or near Sydney and who would like to attend are most welcome. External students who do not attend the on campus sessions are expected to complete the Learning Activities that are set for each module.

You are expected to submit written assessment tasks by the published due date UNLESS you have received written permission to submit your work at a later date from the Unit convenor.

 Extensions will only be granted in exceptional, unforeseen circumstances (known workload is not a legitimate or sufficient reason for the granting of an extension). However, Special Consideration is available for a student who is prevented by serious and unavoidable disruption from completing any Unit requirements in accordance with their ability. All students have the right to submit an application for Special Consideration. Details of how the University defines serious and unavoidable disruption to studies, and information about the processes involved, are contained in the Special Consideration Policy.

The textbook for this unit is:

Biggs, J. & Tang, C. (2011)Teaching for Quality Learning at University (Society for Research Into Higher Education) [Paperback] McGraw Hill Education. Edition 4. ISBN-10: 0335242758; ISBN-13: 978-0335242757 [Note: Earlier editions of the text will be adequate]

If you are already familiar with this text, and/or would like an additional or supplementary text, we suggest: Tennant, M.,McMullen, C. & Kaczynski, D. (2009) Teaching, Learning and Research in Higher Education. A critical approach.  Routledge. ISBN: 0415962633

Assessment tasks are due by 5pm on the day designated (except if you are giving an on campus presentation). All assignments are to be uploaded into iLearn. If you are having difficulties with uploading please contact the unit convenor.  Before starting each assessment task you should consult the associated rubric to get an idea of how the task will be assessed. All assessment tasks will need to be submitted through Turnitin, and there are instructions and details in the iLearn unit.

For consultation about any aspect of the unit please contact the unit convenor and make an appointment (perhaps even a phone appointment). Appointments can be made by mutual agreement between Monday and Thursday.

In response to feedback from students in previous years, some changes have been made. These include: reducing the number of discussions that are scheduled to be led by students, introducing a policy of removing overly long posts from the discussion forum, and one learning activity has also been removed to provide more time for students to prepare their final report.

 

Unit Schedule

Week

Week beginning

(Monday)

Module 

Number

Oncampus

session

 

Learning

Activity

Assessment

Task

1

March 3

1

     

2

March 10 1 Wednesday March 12, 5.30-7.30 1A (all students; due Wed Mar 12)  

3

March 17 2     Critique (due Wed March 19)

4

March 24 2 Wednesday March 26, 5.30-7.30  1B (all students; due Wed March 19)  

5

March 31 2   2A  (due Wed April 2)  

6

April 7 3 Wednesay April 9, 5.30-7.30 2B (due Wed April 9)  

Break

 April 14        

Break

 April 21        Project proposal due Wednesday April 23

7

April 28 3   3A (due Wed April 30)  

8

May 5 3   3B (due Wed  May 7)  

9

May 12 4      

10

May 19 4 Saturday May 17, 9.30-3.30   Presentations due on Saturday May 17, either online or in the oncampus session

11

May 26 4   4A (due Friday May 30)  

12

June 2 5 Wednesday June 4, 5.30-7.30  4B (due June 4)  

13

June 9 5   5 (due June 11) Online discussion report: Wednesday June 11

Exam

June 16       Final Report due: Wednesday June 18

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;

Assessment tasks

  • Critique of an article
  • Project Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Online Learning Community
  • Final Report

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • discuss, debate and evaluate various theories of learning and teaching in higher education or adult learning;
  • explore and critique literature on higher education topics in relation to the relevant theories;
  • apply various theories of learning and teaching appropriately in practical situations and justify your choice or approach;
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience

Assessment tasks

  • Critique of an article
  • Project Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Online Learning Community
  • Final Report

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • apply various theories of learning and teaching appropriately in practical situations and justify your choice or approach;
  • devise innovative solutions to practical, real-world learning and teaching problems
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience

Assessment tasks

  • Project Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Final Report

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • competently contribute to and demonstrate leadership of an online learning community;
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills that are appropriate to the purpose, medium and audience

Assessment tasks

  • Critique of an article
  • Project Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Online Learning Community
  • Final Report

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • devise innovative solutions to practical, real-world learning and teaching problems

Assessment tasks

  • Project Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Final Report

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • apply various theories of learning and teaching appropriately in practical situations and justify your choice or approach;
  • devise innovative solutions to practical, real-world learning and teaching problems
  • analyze your own teaching practice and experience

Assessment tasks

  • Project Proposal
  • Presentation
  • Online Learning Community
  • Final Report