Recognition for ACU teaching excellence

ACU Teaching Awards, 2018

Professor Anne Cummins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students, Learning and Teaching) congratulates the following ACU staff for their commitment to teaching excellence and their contribution to student learning.

Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award

Associate Professor Jane Butler, Dr Simone Dorsch and Ms Mary Lynch, Faculty of Health Sciences, North Sydney and Brisbane.

The neurological team leaders all have significant academic and clinical experience which has been recognised in teaching and professional association acknowledgements, awards, the dissemination of research findings at national and international industry-related conferences and in peer-reviewed publications. The focus of teaching is to engage students in the implementation of science and evidence-based physiotherapy strategies to optimise the motor performance of individuals who are affected by acute and chronic neurological conditions. Blended and flipped learning strategies have been incorporated into all the units in the neurological stream to facilitate the acquisition, application and assimilation of neurological rehabilitation skills. Students scaffold their learning through a supported self-directed process and to contextualise their learning into authentic 'real-life' clinical situations. The teaching team guides students to develop the skills to access and assess the available evidence and apply it to their clinical practice to ensure that they will always provide effective evidence-based rehabilitation.

Associate Professor Jane Butler, Dr Simone Dorsch and Ms Mary Lynch.

Vice-Chancellor’s Postgraduate Teaching Excellence Award

Dr Al Marshall, Faculty of Law and Business, North Sydney

The Faculty of Business and Law ‘Virtual Classroom’ postgraduate initiative, organised and taught by Dr Al Marshall, is a partnership with international university partners designed to provide rich and relevant learning experiences for postgraduate students. The rationale for this major curriculum development centres on enhancing  students’ abilities to solve problems in a variety of settings, taking local and international perspectives into account, and providing opportunities to practice communicating/negotiating across cultural boundaries;  building partnerships with international universities, particularly with our Catholic partners; strengthening the case for international accreditations such as EPAS; contributing to our rise in international rankings; and delivering on the mission of the university. The Virtual Classroom offers a resource efficient way to deliver a cross cultural learning experience for students who may not be able to afford a Study Abroad experience. The first Virtual Classroom Initiative was implemented in Semester 1, 2016, with Binus International University, in Jakarta, Indonesia. This led to a range of Virtual Classroom Projects: with Binus International University, in Indonesia, with the University of San Diego, in the United States, and with the Catholic University of America, also in the United States.

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Associate Professor Nick Carter, Dr Duncan Cook and Dr Chris Matthew, Faculty of Education and Arts, Strathfield: For inspiring students to learn new skills, create new knowledge and grow as individuals through a unique, hands-on, interdisciplinary History-Geography field school in Rome.

Dr Nell Musgrove, Faculty of Education and Arts, Melbourne: For designing and delivering innovative units which engage students in hands-on experiences of history and increase their capacity to ‘do history’ in real world settings.

Ms Alexandra Logan and Dr Elisa Yule, Faculty of Health Sciences, Melbourne: For leadership in the development of strategies and resources to involve consumers in the design, delivery and evaluation of mental health curriculum within occupational therapy.

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Integrating Catholic Intellectual Tradition in Teaching Practice)

Dr Jennifer Carpenter, Faculty of Education and Arts, Strathfield: For leadership in teaching and research-led development of units of study that have made a substantial contribution to teaching of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Early Career)

Dr Beth McLeod, Faculty of Health Sciences, Melbourne: For enthusiastic and engaging teaching practice that inspires learning, promotes active involvement, connects individuals and creates a positive community for Exercise Science students.

Dr Kirsten Way, Faculty of Law and Business, Brisbane: For curriculum redesign and innovative online simulation using technology enhanced learning in Post-Graduate Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Management Degrees.

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Sessional)

Mr Nirav Maniar, Faculty of Health Sciences, Melbourne: Facilitating student engagement through problem-based learning, reflective teaching practices and strengthening student-educator relationships.

Dr Andonis Piperoglou, Faculty of Education and Arts, Strathfield/Canberra: For enthusiastically and effectively communicating research led teaching on the complexities of Immigration History and Historiography and its relevance to students’ contemporary societies.