30 January 2012

The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) continuously seeks to improve the educational experience of its students.

Recently playing host to internationally renowned workshop facilitators, Dr Richard Felder and Dr Rebecca Brent, the Faculty of EAIT provided its academics with the opportunity to enhance their teaching and learning practice.

Faculty of EAIT Associate Dean (Academic), Professor Caroline Crosthwaite said UQ was privileged to welcome the internationally renowned engineering educators and North Carolina State University academics Dr Felder and Dr Brent to its St Lucia campus.

“Dr Felder and Dr Brent facilitated three workshops concerned with effective teaching, course design, mentoring and supporting new faculty members,” Professor Crosthwaite said.

Running the three workshops across three days, Dr Felder and Dr Brent show-cased a range of best practice ideas and techniques and their application in engineering and physical sciences disciplines in particular.

“Their information and advice on best practice in teaching and learning and the evidence supporting these approaches has been extremely well received by our academics, who are now looking for ways to implement this into their courses and teaching practices.”

“At UQ we have staff who are internationally renowned educators, but as with anything- there is always room for improvement,” Professor Crosthwaite said.

Overall, 136 staff members participated in one or more of the workshops, and this is a very pleasing testament to their dedication to improving the educational experience of their students.

Media: Madelene Flanagan (3365 8525 or m.flanagan@uq.edu.au)