Spheres of Influence: Ventures and Visions in Educational Development*3-6 July, 2002 AbstractThe Teaching and learning hub: A new model of educational developmentGail Hart, Queensland University of Technology, Australia An external review recommended changes to the Teaching and Learning Support Services Department (TALSS) to provide greater leadership and organisational coherence to the staff development and learning support activities. The changes were designed to give a stronger role to the Associate Directors in the management of Departmental-wide issues and initiatives. Theses changes were also expected to foster cross sectional collaboration and improve intra-Departmental communication. In response to these recommendations the Teaching and Learning Hub was formed. 'The Hub' has been named to symbolize the centrality of teaching and learning to the University. The spokes represent the five programs that link the activities of 'the Hub' to the faculties. The Director and each of the Associate Directors share the program portfolio associated with the Hub and provide leadership to the staff located within 'the Hub'. The newest program within the Hub is the Teaching Fellowship Program - a secondment scheme attracting excellent teaching staff from faculties to TALSS to undertake defined projects of strategic significance for teaching and learning at QUT. The program is an innovative response to the challenge of supporting significant, university-wide initiatives for change related to teaching and learning. Such secondments will be determined by the expertise of individual academics, the needs of faculties and the strategic focus of teaching and learning at QUT. The project will establish an on-going process for staff recognition and staff development that will be fully funded from TALSS. It is anticipated that seconded staff will return to their school/faculty with an enriched understanding of teaching and learning issues, a university-wide appreciation of student learning needs and a renewed commitment to staff development within their discipline area. These 'returned' academics would provide a readily accessible source of assistance and expertise to colleagues. Key words: Objectives, outcomes and activities:
Gail Hart has fifteen years experience in the higher education sector in Australia. She has been employed within Health and Business faculties and taught both undergraduate and post-graduate students in the external and internal mode. She is currently the Director of the Teaching and Learning Support Services (TALSS) Department at QUT. She was a member of the national Committee for University Teaching and Staff Development (CUTSD) from 1997-1999 Tom Cochrane is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Information and Academic Services) at Queensland University of Technology. The position heads QUT's Division of Information and Academic Services which includes all teaching and learning support areas, as well information technology and library services. He has chaired the assessment panel for QUT's Teaching and Learning Grants Scheme for many years, and has developed and reshaped the University's approach to academic staff development. Geoffrey Roberts taught at university and college for 10 years in the area of history, social studies and AV technology before becoming a manager of AV services at college and university which he has done for the last 20 years. He currently manages the AV Graphics and Photographic Services at Queensland University of Technology as well as the Teaching Evaluation Services and Teaching and Learning Grants administration in the TALSS HUB. Apart from qualifications as a secondary school teacher he has postgraduate qualifications in Instructional Technology with specialisations in curriculum, instructional design and telecommunications. Halima Goss has over 20 years experience in the Australian education sector spanning secondary, TAFE and tertiary education institutions. She has taught across a range of disciplines in the Science and IT fields and has extensive experience in design, development and delivery of programs using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). She is currently the university online teaching coordinator. Contact: Gail Hart, email: g.hart@qut.edu.au |