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School of Education |
| UQ Education Update - Edition 6, 2011 | http://www.uq.edu.au/education/ |
Education UpdateHead of School welcome
2011 has been a very positive, eventful and productive time for us in the School of Education. The establishment of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) and its operational implementation in 2011, stands as a crucial moment in Australian education. AITSL is the national body that oversees the accreditation processes for teacher education programs and provides national leadership for the teaching profession. Next year we are proposing to develop new Master of Teaching graduate entry programs in teacher education based on the AITSL national guidelines.
This year we have collaborated with AITSL and the UQ Centre for Innovation in Professional Learning to design and deliver a nationwide program to develop teachers’ curriculum leadership capacities for the national curriculum. This initiative has provided the School of Education with a significant national profile just when teacher professional development is receiving renewed attention. We also collaborated with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) in 2011 to review best practice in assessment of preservice teachers. This project is just being completed and will inform current debate locally and nationally about the quality of graduates from teacher education programs in Australia.
In research and scholarship, 2011 was a very productive and successful year. Our School has maintained its national leadership in research, and we were recently awarded a Future Fellowship (Professor Martin Mills) and an Early Career ARC Fellowship (Dr Ian Hardy). Many staff in the School have research contracts awarded by the ARC. Almost all these current projects are conducted with teachers and other professionals in school contexts in Queensland, other States, and in a few cases overseas. These applied education research projects have taken staff to outback Queensland to work in mining towns, to regional Queensland, to South Australia and other States and to PNG. Through the leadership of our School Manager, Dr Kaye Eldridge, we also had the pleasure in 2011 of hosting a group of academic and administrative leaders from PNG for a month of professional development activities.
While our School continues to thrive and succeed, we are well aware that education research is under resourced and two of our key national bodies, Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE) and Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) are currently reviewing priorities in educational research and examining strategies and funding proposals to ensure the longer term vibrancy and relevance of educational research. Staff in our School are contributing to these important reviews.
Professor Peter Renshaw
Carolyn D Baker Memorial Lecture and Annual Postgraduate Conference This year’s Postgraduate Conference marked a milestone in the 16 year history of this event. Student presentations numbers increased by almost 50% from last year, reaching 36 presentations. The Postgraduate Conference remains an excellent opportunity for students to gain presenting experience amongst fellow students and staff from the School of Education. There is a tangible vibrancy at the School of Education which is home to an impressive group of Research Higher Degree (RHD) students from all over the world, keen to make their mark in the academic world. We consider it important to provide opportunities for local RhD students to connect with scholars from other Australian universities. Associate Professor Julie McLeod from the University of Melbourne was invited to give the keynote address. There was also diversity of conference participants, who hailed from all universities in the Southeast region of Queensland. Julie’s lecture on time/space considerations in educational research provided new ideas and directions for many listeners, and conversations over morning tea erupted between prospective honours students, academic staff and both coursework and RHD students. At times it felt as if the whole of the School of Education had taken refuge from the pouring rain in the Abel Smith Lecture Theatre foyer!International speaker, Professor Pat Sikes from the University of Sheffield, delivered the annual Carolyn D. Baker Memorial Lecture on the Friday evening before the conference, in honour of former staff member Associate Professor Carolyn D. Baker, who passed away in 2003. Carolyn’s legacy in qualitative research methodology was fittingly represented by Pat Sikes, who is a professor for qualitative enquiry at her institution. The 140 attendees from universities and the community engaged in her passionate narratives about teacher’s life stories. This event, which traditionally opens the Postgraduate Conference, included a reception after the presentation, and this gave guests an extended opportunity to mingle and reconnect with colleagues and friends. Both the Memorial Lecture and the Postgraduate Conference this year had the feel of ‘happenings’, and we look forward to more such events at the School of Education in the future.
 Story by Dr Simone Smala,
Postgraduate Conference Convener
Former Origin Greats join Great Future TeachersIn late 2010, representatives from Former Origin Greats contacted the School of Education eager to work with our staff and students to improve learning for indigenous students in local schools. Common goals were quickly identified and a research partnership was formed. The partnership began with School of Education preservice teachers making regular visits to Bundamba State Secondary College in Semester One. Their task was to tutor a group of students in years 8-11. In Semester Two, the partnership grew and was supported by additional students enrolled in EDUC2049 – Identity, Youth Cultures and Education. These students were able to tutor at Bundamba SSC as part of their course requirement.
Recently, the Bundamba SSC students visited the university and spent the day exploring our facilities and becoming comfortable in the university environment. The students thoroughly enjoyed their day with us, and it was great to see them having a race through the great court.
We look forward to working with Former Origin Greats again next year.
Leading Curriculum ChangeThe School of Education, in partnership with UQ’s Centre for innovation in Professional Learning (CiPL) has designed a national professional development program for AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership). This is a wonderful opportunity for us to reach a large national audience of teachers who are interested in becoming curriculum leaders and agents of change within their schools.
The Leading Curriculum Change program is described on AITSL’s website as “enhancing teachers' knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively lead curriculum change, particularly local implementation of the Australian Curriculum. It will be a unique opportunity to learn with teachers from across Australia in a national professional learning community. Teachers will experience a high quality, evidence-based, interactive online professional learning program that is designed by experts for adult learners.” You can read further about the program online here.
The course website and introductory module were launched on 29th August and modules on aspects of learning and curriculum leadership and innovation have been added progressively through September and October. Currently an online community practice is being facilitated as teachers begin to dialogue about their projects and their particular teaching situation.
International corner: Visiting scholars from Thailand and ChinaThe School of Education is currently hosting two international visiting scholars - Lingyan Zhu from China, and Tassanee Taraporn from Thailand. Both vistors are working with Dr Obaid Hamid, and Tassanee is also receiving valuable input from Professor Dick Baldauf. Below is a brief outline of the research our visitors are undertaking while they are with us.
 Tassanee Taraporn (Thailand)Thailand has signed the ASEAN Tourism Agreement which aimed to enhance mutual assistance in human resource development and training in the tourism sector. The importance of English Language is stated clearly providing the basis for the development of English curriculum for human resources in hospitality industry. This curriculum should help address the needs of hotel personnel as well as the ASEAN core competency standards.
Through my research I hope to be able to answer the following questions. What type of Hotel English Training Program should be developed? What should be included in the Hotel English Training Program?
 Lingyan Zhu (China)As a college English teacher, I take great interest in ESL and have been teaching English for five years. During these years, I have personally experienced the change in college English textbooks and the wide-range reform on college English testing, which is closely related to the application of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in China.
Is CLT suitable for China’s college English teaching? When adapting CLT to China’s college English teaching, what problems arise? Can we overcome those problems and successfully adopt CLT in college English education? To answer these questions, I am undertaking research on the adaptation of CLT in college English teaching in China.
2011 Annual staff and alumni reunion dinnerThe school expanded its annual reunion dinner this year to include alumni as well as staff, and the evening was a great success. Those present were entertained at the start of the evening by the school choir with a truly global selection of songs. Proceedings began with an introduction from Professor Peter Renshaw. The venue was the UQ staff club and as could be expected, the fare was excellent.
 This event was intended to allow people to catch up with colleagues and fellow graduates and it certainly served this purpose. A buzz of conversation continued all night against a backdrop of pictures from the school's archives. It was worth attending even if only to see the various iterations of Peter Renshaw's head and facial hair combinations over the years!
We now have a new set of pictures to add for next year's dinner, and we hope to grow the attendance of what has the potential to be a significant annual happening.
Final note should of course go to the now legendary tradition (since it has happened at least twice), the chronological line. Peter arranges those present into an historical display with most recent members at the front, and those with more years of association with the school (oldest) at the back. For those of us with the camera, looking in from the outside, it is highly amusing to see a collection of intelligent people trying to decide where exactly they fit in the line!
I am already looking forward to next year's dinner. See you there!
Story and picture by Gordon Lynn,
Advancement and Community Relations Manager
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
The School of Education offers an annual travel support grant for international School of Education alumni seeking to travel to Australia to undertake research or project collaboration with a School of Education academic. This year, the value of the grant has been increased to $2,000.
We are pleased to announce that the 2011 Grant will be awarded to Dr Velepat Tuaru from the University of Papua New Guinea. Velepat will visit the school to work with Associate Professor Gloria Dall'Alba. Her project will be to develop one of her thesis chapters into an article for submission to an international journal. Congratulations, Velepat!
Staff movements
Dr Donna Couzens has recently joined the School of Education as a research fellow. Donna’s research is in the area of development and learning for individuals with intellectual disability, with a specific focus on Down Syndrome. Donna is also involved in research investigating the effectiveness of supports available for students with specific learning, planning, organisation and/or social difficulties for accessing, engaging and succeeding in higher education.
We welcome Donna to the School.
Welcome to Dr Ravinder Sidhu who recently accepted a 0.5 continuing position as Senior Lecturer in Internationalisation and Higher Education. Ravinder is well known nationally and internationally for her extensive research and publishing on markets in higher education and the internationalisation of higher education. She currently is part of a research team centred in Singapore examining these processes. Among other contributions to the School, Ravinder will be teaching into the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. Welcome back Dr Jessica Harris who has been on maternity leave since March.
Congratulations and best wishes to Michelle Weston whose pregnancy is progressing smoothly. Michelle, our Senior Administrative Officer (Postgraduate & Higher Degrees), will begin her maternity leave at the end of this year. Christel Schoenberger will fill Michelle's position throughout 2012. Staff Profile: Associate Professor Shelley Dole Dr Shelley Dole is the primary and middle years Program Director. In addition to this role, Shelley has co-authored two books this year, and she is also working on several grants and projects with other School of Education staff.How long have you worked at UQ?
I came to UQ in July 2004, employed as part of the middle years team at Ipswich. Before that I was at RMIT for three years, and before that, I was at Uni of Tas for three years, and before that, I was at QUT for 6 years as an associate lecturer undertaking a PhD and coming to grips with the change from being a classroom teacher to being a tertiary teacher educator.
What do you like most about the School of Education?
The admin staff at the School of Education are the most supportive, friendly and helpful staff that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. There has never been a time when anything is too much trouble. I also like the Monday morning teas and the fact that we are within easy walking distance to four good coffee shops.
What do you think is the main strength of our graduating preservice teachers?
Although we are yet to graduate any of our BEd Primary and MYS students, previous graduates of our other programs have been very impressive in relation to their professional attitude, energy and enthusiasm for teaching. With the support our preservice teachers receive during their practicum and the integrated nature of practicum within our courses, we can't but help graduate the most well-prepared new teachers into the profession.
What do you think will be the greatest challenge for teachers in the next five years?
The current scrutiny under which teachers work is going to continue to be a major challenge, combined with the roll-out of new curriculum, continued national testing and performance measures, and performance-based pay. Teacher education must produce resilient teachers who carry a dream of implementing an exciting and innovative curriculum despite the latest policy change and shift of focus. The influence of NAPLAN upon teachers' work means that we must ensure our graduating teachers keep sight of what is important as a teacher - the capacity to inspire children to learn.
What are you most looking foward to in 2012?
In 2012 I am looking forward to graduating our first cohort of primary and MYS teachers. I am also looking forward to handing over the reins of Program Director (any takers?).
 Upcoming eventsCasual Staff Induction 2012At the beginning of each academic year, the School of Education holds an induction for casual staff. The purpose of the induction is to inform new staff members about policies and procedures in the school. Continuing casual staff members should also attend to ensure they are up to date with important changes to policies and procedures. Details of the 2012 casual staff induction will be confirmed early next year.
All casual School of Education lecturers and tutors should attend this induction.
School of Education Book LaunchThe School of Education will hold a book launch in April, 2012. At the launch, we will celebrate the achievements of all staff members who have had books published throughout 2011.
Look out for the official invitation in your inbox early next year!
Congratulations toDr Kim Nichols and Dr Shelley Dole who have been promoted in this year's round. Kim has been promoted to Senior Lecturer and Shelley to Associate Professor. Congratulations on your highly deserved promotions! Professor Bob Lingard has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Congratulations to Bob on this prestigious recognition of his research and scholarly contributions to educational policy and sociology over many years.
Congratulations to Professor Martin Mills for his Future Fellows award – it is national recognition of research excellence for Martin and a significant project in its substantive focus on second chance schooling options for disadvantaged young people in UK and Australia.
Project Summary This project is concerned with ensuring that students who experience systemic disadvantage are not excluded from the benefits of a formal education. It provides an account and critique of the growth of second chance schooling options catering to such students in both Australia and the UK.
Congratulations to Dr Ian Hardy for his Early Career Researcher Discovery award. This project is timely and crucial to understanding the implications of current testing mania for teachers and students in different communities across Australia.
Project Summary This project investigates the effects of national standardised testing on the professional development practices of teachers in rural and urban schools in varied Socio-Economic Status communities in Australia. The project will indicate whether and how such testing influences teachers' learning, and subsequent student learning, in these different types of settings.
Congratulations to Dr Thanh Pham who has received a UQ postdoctoral fellowship in the School of Education. Thanh will be researching pedagogical innovations in Vietnam in the higher education sector, beginning in mid 2012 in Vietnam and then at UQ from 2013. These fellowships are highly competitive, and we are very pleased Thanh has been successful.
Dr Lynne Baker who was awarded the Caleb Prize (non-fiction section) for her book Counselling Christian Women on how to deal with Domestic Violence. The Caleb Prize is a highly competitive and much sought after writers' prize offered by Omega Writers, an association of Australasian wordsmiths dedicated to producing faith inspired work. Counselling Christian Women on how to deal with Domestic Violence has been described as 'an excellent training resource' and 'an extremely worthwhile contribution to a topic which the average person has difficulty in handling'. Preservice teachers Niamh Champ and Sydney Su who have been awarded 2012 Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowships. The fellowships are part of the federal government's Building the Education Revolution plan through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Niamh (French and Japanese) and Sydney (Chinese and Japanese) will enjoy a three-week intensive study program next January. Congratulations to our recent Doctor and Master of Philosophy graduates: Gerard Effeney (PhD), The development of executive function and self-regulated learning in adolescent males. |
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