Quality Learning and Teaching in Action

1
Quality Learning and Teaching in Action
Some Initiatives at Monash University Faculty of
Business and Economics School of Business,
Monash Uni. Malaysia

• Presenters
• Dr Glenda Crosling, Education Advisor,
• Faculty of Business and Economics
• Shanthy Rachagan, Director, Student Affairs,
• School of Business
• October 31, 2006

2
Session Plan

• Quality Teaching and Learning at Monash
  University
• Business and Economics, Australian Campuses
• Student-focussed Initiatives
• Teacher-focussed Initiatives
• School of Business, Malaysia Campus
• Student Transition
• Academic
• Personal
• Administrative
• Future Directions

3
Monash Approach to Quality Teaching and
Learning

• Excellence in Education
• further implement the principles of
  student-centred, flexible learning emphasising
  discovery, analysis and integration of
  information, problem-solving, communication and
  preparation for a lifetime of learning
• Monash Directions 2025, p. 7

4
One International Students Comments

• Educational expectations student-centred or
  teacher-focussed teaching?
• One students comments
• In .. (education in home country), it seems
  like the students are lazy. In Australia, it
  seems like the teachers are lazy

5
Quality Teaching and Learning Objectives

• STUDENTS
• Encouraging students engagement with faculty and
  studies
• Active learning, encouraging deep learning
  approaches, discovery and problem-solving
• TEACHERS
• Student rather than teacher- focussed teaching
• Teacher as facilitator of students active
  learning

6
Australian Campuses Business and Economics
Student-Focussed Initiatives

• Managing Student Expectations

Orientation Week
Ongoing Throughout Studies
Student Q Manual Study and writing guide for
faculty studies
Success at Monash (SAM) Academic transition
program
7
Managing Students Expectations

• Success at Monash
• Commencing students
• Orientation Week
• 2 hours
• Compulsory
• Activity based
• Socialisation with other students
• Skills University study, question analysis,
  library searching, academic writing and using
  references

8
Managing Students Expectations

• Student Q Manual
• Referred to in all unit guides
• Decodes academic study
• Academic reading
• University writing
• Referencing
• Oral presentations
• Exam preparation

9
Supporting At Risk Students

• CLASP Communication, Language and Academic
  Skills Project
• Based on academic language test
• Identifies at risk students
• Provides targetted programs to meet students
  needs (ie, academic language development,
  approaches to study)

10
Teacher - Focussed Initiatives
Annual Teaching Awards
Professional Development Seminar Series Quality
teaching cross cultural communication student
diversity
Staff Induction Program (SIP) Quality teaching
and learning
11
Teacher-Focussed Initiatives

• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Staff Induction Program (SIP)
• Quality teaching and learning, active and
  interactive learning, diverse student population.
  
• Interactive in form and content
• Professional Development Seminar Series
• Seminars
• Enhancing Unit Evaluations
• Writing Clear Exam Papers
• Cross Cultural Communication
• Staff teaching and learning projects

12
School of Business, Monash University Malaysia

• What problems do new students encounter in the
  School of Business?
• What initiative has the School taken to help
  overcome these problems?

13
Academic Transition

• There will be need to adjust to new styles of
  teaching and learning, in unfamiliar class
  formats such as lectures and tutorials.

14
Some Comments from Students

• 'It was difficult to adjust to the teaching
  style, not being spoon-fed anymore tutors and
  lecturers are quite accessible however.
• 'I expected university to be a little more
  self-paced and, during first semester, I was a
  little overwhelmed with the workload.'

15
Some Comments from Students (cont.)

• 'The standard is very high in uni. Despite high
  marks in high school results from first semester
  were shocking. Hard to input into studies because
  do not know what is expected.
• 'I still need time to adjust to the way of
  studying in university, especially on catching up
  with the reading and doing the assignment at the
  same time.'

16
Personal and Social Transition

• The movement from school to university is an
  important phase of moving from adolescence to
  adulthood with increased responsibilities,
  independence and freedom.
• No longer surrounded by old friends and some find
  themselves feeling isolated without familiar
  support networks this is particularly acute for
  those who have moved away from home and
  experience homesickness.

17
Administrative Transition

• Universities are very large institutions that can
  be confusing for students.
• Activities such as sorting out own timetable and
  enrolment, keeping track of information and due
  dates staying in touch, are important. However,
  new students often do not realise the amount of
  administration necessary to keep themselves in
  the loop.

18
School Initiatives

• Academic and Personal and Social Transition
• First week transition program conducted by
  tutors.
• Tutors of all first year subjects conduct first
  week
• transition tutorial on the following areas
  academic
• writing using computers in learning oral
• presentations group work problem solving.

19
Administrative Transition

• At various times after acceptance and during
  orientation, the School of Business conducts a
  Course Advisory Session.
• This session advises the students on how to use
  the Authcate, time-tabling, transfer to other
  campuses, selection of subjects, enrolment and
  how to fill in forms.
• The session also explains the relevant University
  policies and hands out information booklets on
  the above.

20
Future Directions

• Malaysia Campus
• Orientation Week Transition Program Academic and
  Social
• Staff Professional Development Seminar Program
  Sharing Good Practice, Encouraging Reflection
• Research-Lead Teaching
• Engaging Students in Learning, Small Group
  Interaction in Large Classes, Using I C
  Technology