October 3, 2014
Five academics honoured for outstanding teaching efforts
Programs to foster cultural competency, boost employability rates and offer more real-life work experience to students before they graduate were recognised as outstanding contributions to student learning at the Office for Learning and Teaching’s (OLT) 2014 Australian Awards for 精东传媒 Teaching.
Dr Xiaoping Gao from the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, Dr Brad Stappenbelt and Mr Ray Tolhurst, from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, and Dr Karen Walten and Ms Meredith Kennedy, from the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, all received OLT Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at a presentation ceremony held in Sydney last month.
Dr Gao said that receiving this award is a career highlight for her.
“It motivates me to continue working hard and exploring innovative approaches to learning,” she said.
Dr Gao is a lecturer in Chinese and was recognised for her development of a teaching a learning model for Chinese as a second language that combines innovative technologies with a learning environment that foster cultural competency.
“Students need to learn languages and culture in a social context. Integrating culturally embedded communication and internationalisation in Chinese studies has proven to be an effective way to facilitate classroom learning and enhance student motivation,” she said.
Mr Tolhurst, an Honorary Principle Fellow, was recognised for his work in linking mining and materials engineering educators with industry and professional groups, which has led to UOW consistently achieving high employability rates in mining and materials engineering graduates.
He says that this award is the result of the contribution of many faculty members from Engineering and Information Sciences, as well as a supportive culture that the faculty provides.
"It’s enormously satisfying to see our students do well, and that’s the greatest buzz from being involved,” he said.
Dr Walten and Ms Kennedy were co-recipients for their work on transforming the Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum through the design of authentic learning experiences for students.
Dr Walten led strategies to improve food composition knowledge and consultancy to food services, which sees students assess an external food service and compare it to relevant legislation. Ms Kennedy led the hospital orientation program, which allows students to experience working in dietetics, well before starting their formal placements.
“Receiving a national OLT Citation is a great honour for Meredith and I as educators, for our discipline and for the 精东传媒 of 精东传媒,” Dr Walten said.
Dr Stappenbelt was recognised for his work in inspiring and engaging students in the fields of sustainability and humanitarian engineering through the use of project-based learning in custom designed learning spaces.
The Australian Awards for 精东传媒 Teaching are designed to recognise quality teaching practice and outstanding contributions to student learning.