Faculty of Education - Research Publications
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ItemDeveloping generalisable measures of knowledge and skill outcomes in higher education(Australian Universities Quality Agency, 2007)We know much about higher education, but very little about assessing student knowledge and skill in ways which are generalisable beyond specific subjects or courses. This paper argues for greater progress in this rapidly developing area of higher education. It suggests approaches for enhancing the assessment of student knowledge and skill, and considers how these might underpin a model of assessment standards. Preliminary observations are made in conclusion about what might be required to bring such changes into practice. The analysis is by no means intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a discursive snapshot of a few main trends and possible developments.
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ItemDevelopment of the Australasian survey of student engagement (AUSSE)(SPRINGER, 2010-07)
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ItemAustralian higher education leaders in times of change: the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Routledge(Taylor & Francis), 2010)This paper discusses responses provided by 31 Pro Vice-Chancellors (PVCs) and Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) who were part of a larger study of more than 500 higher education leaders in roles ranging from DVC to head of programme in 20 Australian universities. Using both quantitative and qualitative data the paper gives an insider’s perspective on what the roles of DVC and PVC are like at the daily level. It identifies the key focus of the roles, highlights the criteria these leaders use to judge that they are effectively performing them and outlines the relative impact of different influences on their work. It then discusses their views on what being in such a role is like, including its key satisfactions and challenges; and identifies the capabilities seen to be central to managing in such a context. Finally, it provides insights into how such leaders have gone about learning their role. The paper indicates how these findings can be used to address the current succession crisis for leaders in such critical roles. It shows how the data generated can be used to build leadership from within by identifying leaders with potential early on in their career, how the findings can be used to give selection processes more focus and how leadership development programmes can best be shaped to be effective. Having a high level of emotional intelligence is identified as a key ingredient in the successful delivery of such roles.
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ItemInternational dimensions of the Australian academic profession(Research Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima University, 2009)This paper provides insight into the international dimensions of the Australian academic profession. Australia has one of the most internationalised higher education student populations in the world, which leads us naturally to inquire into the international characteristics of its academic staff. It is important to consider, for instance, whether the academic workforce has internationalised in the same way as the student body, and how academic staff are responding educationally to various opportunities and challenges arising from internationalisation.
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ItemDiversity in Australian higher education: an empirical analysis(National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), 2009)The concept of diversity has been part of the Australian government’s higher education agenda for several years, but empirical studies on the actual state of diversity in the sector are limited. This situation raises questions regarding the factual basis for the policy claims made. With this in mind, this paper seeks to assess the degree of diversity within the Australian higher education sector through an analysis of the perceptions, aspirations and reported activities of Australian academics in terms of their teaching, research and community service. Using data collected in the 2007 international Changing Nature of the Academic Profession survey, we are able to cautiously conclude that some diversity appears to exist, however not to the extent one might expect given the importance placed on institutional groupings in the Australian higher education debate.
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ItemAustralia's casual approach to its academic teaching workforce(Monash University, 2009)Australian academics’ response to the Changing Academic Profession (CAP) survey indicates that they are among the least satisfied academics in the world. This dissatisfaction has been expressed after two decades of rapid growth in the student body and structural changes in the academic workforce, particularly an expansion in the amount of teaching provided by casual staff. The growth in casual staff numbers is a factor which has simultaneously created a precariously employed but cheaper and more flexible workforce along with higher levels of stress among the full-time teachers responsible for managing and supervising casual teachers. The academic profession has an important role to play in creating a highly educated workforce for Australia and in generating export income by teaching international students. Careful attention needs to be paid to this situation especially in light of the need to replenish the ageing academic workforce.
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ItemThe Australian academic profession: A first overview(Research Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima University, 2008)
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ItemAcross the great divide: what do Australian academics think of university leadership? Advice from the CAP survey(Routledge, 2010)This paper considers Australian academic staff members’ attitudes to their colleagues in positions of university leadership, based on responses to the international Changing Academic Profession (CAP) survey conducted in 2007. When compared with responses from other participating nations, Australian academics indicate considerably lower satisfaction on management issues than the average for all countries. Only academics from Hong Kong and the United Kingdom report a lower level of satisfaction with institutional leadership.
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ItemSchool connections: using ICT to engage students in learning(Australian Council for Educational Research Ltd., 2009)“In 2006, one school team from each of the ten NSW Department of Education regions were nominated to participate in the Microsoft Partners in Learning (PiL) Connected Learning Schools Project.” … “This report presents the high-level results of this research based on an analysis of the survey data. It builds on the 2006 survey results, 2008 reports to schools, and a presentation at the final NSW Partners in Learning conference in December 2008.”
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ItemEngaging college communities: the impact of residential colleges in Australian higher education(Australian Council for Educational Research, 2009)This briefing affirms that residential colleges make a significant contribution to higher education in Australia. Colleges have been part of university life in this country for over 150 years, with the first college being founded in 1856, just six years after the foundation of University of Sydney. Collegiate education is growing today. Colleges are strengthening their links with academic and professional communities. The Association of Heads of Australian University Colleges and Halls Inc (AHAUCHI) provides national leadership. Markwell (2007) has explored the contributions made by colleges to excellence and equity in Australian higher education. Recent educational redesigns hint that the renaissance of residential life underway in the USA and UK is taking shape in Australia.