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Researching (e)Learning and Teaching at Macquarie

Researching (e)Learning and Teaching at Macquarie is a special interest research group that aims to support the development of a critically reflective, evidence-based approach to the development of sustainable, high quality learning environments which make effective use of eLearning technologies to cater for the needs of our diverse body of students.

One of the activities of the group is a series of Research Seminars - usually four a year. Each of the seminars features guest speakers who are actively researching their teaching. Through ongoing discussion it is hoped that the forum will assist in identifying research issues, developing collaborative partnerships, providing feedback on current projects and identifying the implications of research outcomes for professional practice. Seminars are advertised in Staff News, on the CPD website and on the Researching Learning and Teaching website at: https://online.mq.edu.au/pub/CPDRLT/publicinfo.htm

All staff interested in developing their scholarship in learning, teaching and eLearning are warmly invited to participate.

Bookings for sessions are essential and can be made here (opens in popup window) or call CPD on 9850 9721.

For further information please contact Dr Maree Gosper, eLearning Coordinator on 9850 9752.

Peer Observation and Learning and Teaching

This is a special interest group that formed around the application of peer observation of learning and teaching in the sharing of excellence and enhancement of quality. So far the group has developed a set of generic materials for peer observation, with suggestions as to how to conduct the process and examples of forms that may be used to capture the event. These may be downloaded as a Word document here. You are encouraged to modify the document for your own context and purpose. A powerpoint presentation on developing peer observation is available here. We have also developed materials aimed at collaborative peer review of the curriculum and a set of guidance notes is available here.

The group membership comprises colleagues from around the University who are interested in peer observation and includes the Associate Deans Learning and Teaching. A report from one of them, David Spencer, reflecting on a pilot study in Peer Observation is available here.

The group met once a month to discuss the progress of peer observation around the University. Now that this is underway, the group is broadening its focus to consider other aspects associated with quality enhancement within the changing context of Macquarie University’s learning and teaching developments. This is seen as a valuable opportunity for the sharing of ideas between colleagues from various subject areas and discipline backgrounds. It is hoped that though this approach we can go someway to a better understanding of the learning and teaching issues that affect us all and together develop capacity for dealing with those issues. We meet on the last Thursday of each month.

If you would like further details, please contact Dr Ian Solomonides, Chair of the group on 9850 9857.

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