Friday 22 March 2013

March Newsletter

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1.  Issue 11 of SaMnet’s monthly newsletter 
Listen to the newsletter? Now available in audio as a podcast.
This month's question:

We are receiving requests to joint SaMnet. 

Who would you nominate to join?  Send us names. 
2.  Conferences & publication
ASERA2013 – 2-5 July 2013

The Australasian Science Education Research Association Conference for 2013 will be held at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, New Zealand. Abstracts are due 26th April.


3.  Connections/Events  
Past:                      Leadership Development Workshops in February 2013

                                February 4 – Melbourne workshop @ La Trobe University

                                February 5 – Adelaide workshop @ Flinders University

                                February 6 – Perth workshop @ Curtin University

                                February 11 -- Sydney workshop @ U of Sydney 

February 15 -- Brisbane workshop @ Griffith University. 

Each workshop featured a 1-hour session: 

Click below for video of the talk.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Future:                 ASELL National Science Workshop – 2-5 April 2013 at U of Sydney
EOIs for submission of experiments were due 25 January 2013
Registrations for everyone were due 5 March 2013
PDF flyer for the workshop
ASELL Schools Science Workshop – 26 April 2013 at SHORE School, North Sydney, NSW

Know a high school teacher interested in improving science experiments and lab experiences for their students?  Pass on this information about the 2013 ASELL Schools Science Workshop.
EOIs for submission of experiments were due 15 February 2013
Registrations for everyone due 5 April 2013


Match up:           When did you last contact your project’s critical friend? 

They are eager to hear from you ...  Critical friends tell us it is one of the most rewarding things they can do - sharing from their experience. 

4.  SaMnet activity 

SaMnet members are publishing on leadership: 
Champions or Helpers: Leadership in Curriculum Reform in Science, Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (UoW) – Liz Johnson (SaMnet steering committee member), Fiona Bird, Jeanette Fyffe, and Emma Yench (SaMnet Scholar).

So is SaMnet HQ: 

Did you click on the link last month to view our article in the Australian Journal of Education in Chemistry?  It explains how your SaMnet engagement helps to develop the future for Australia’s university teaching in science and maths. 

5.  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) 

Weimer comments, “There are some fairly straightforward principles that give any new teaching strategy, technique or approach a much greater chance of success.” What steps do you imagine that she suggests?

Latest addition to the “Getting Started in Physics Education Research” collection.  

A useful guide not only for those from a physics persuasion, but also applicable to other science disciplines.
6.  Leadership insights
Take One Small Step – Natalie Houston

The Chronicle of Higher Education - Applying behavioural psychology to support small steps to develop a habit of completing challenging tasks and, in our case, leading change.
How to create workplace change with cupcakes and enthusiasm – Ashley England, Belinda Tiffen & Kim Williams

A light hearted Prezi presentation with amusing insight into workplace politics. 


7. Team in Focus: Embedding Fast and Personal Feedback, Danny Liu, Matthew Pye, Hannah Power, Tom Hubble, Dale Hancock, Graham Hendry and Adam Bridgeman.

The objective was to adapt an online rapid feedback system that has been used successfully in Chemistry1 to be used in other disciplines.

Semester 1, 2012, was dedicated to adapting the feedback system to the needs of the School of Molecular Bioscience (SMB) and the School of Geoscience. 

In semester 2, 2012, the system was implemented in the SMB units in a diagnostic mode, rather than the traditional summative mode as a diagnostic test in relation to chemistry and maths ability. The feedback system was also implemented in a number of Biology units (Concepts, Living systems) and met with the enthusiastic approval of both students and staff.

The diagnostic tests are to be used again in Molecular Biology units in 2013.

The project team are in the process of collating and reporting on the results from the different implementations with a view to sharing insights and approaches to feed into system development.

1Bridgeman, A.J. & P.J. Rutledge, 2010. “Getting personal: feedback for the masses”, Synergy 30: 60-68..

           

Danny Liu is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences

Matthew Pye is also an Associate Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences

Hannah Power is a lecturer in the School of Geosciences. Her research interests are in the area of coastal geomorphology and processes. She looks at wave height evolution in the surf zone and over reefs.

Tom Hubble is an associate professor in the Engineering and Environmental group. He is also Pro-Dean in the Faculty of Science. His research involves marine and riverine site investigation including a major regional geomorphic and sediment mapping project on the Hawkesbury-Nepean River for Sydney Water.

Dale Hancock is a Senior Lecturer with the School of Molecular Bioscience. Her research interests focus on the role of microRNAs in the regulation of gene expression in adipocytes, particularly in obesity.

Graham Hendry is a Senior Lecturer with the Institute for Teaching and Learning. He is the program coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education) and the Principles and Practice of University Teaching and Learning program. His research interests include teaching and student learning in higher education, and academic staff professional learning.

Adam Bridgeman is an Associate Professor and the Director of First Year Studies in the School of Chemistry, as well as the Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching. His research interests include computational inorganic chemistry, bond order and the nature of the chemical bond, and using electronic resources in chemical education.


8.  Classifieds 

SaMnet Scholars may want to consider applying for the 3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science.  e.g., Jessica Vanderlelie, Chris Thompson, Sarah-Jane Gregory

Description: The 3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science is awarded to a scientist who has used their leadership skills to create impact inside their institution, amongst their peers, within their discipline or in the wider community.

Prize: $10,000

Judging Criteria: Entries should specifically address how the work entered meets the following:

1.       Evidence of a clear vision

2.       Skills in mobilising others

3.       Proof of commitment, energy and passion

4.       Demonstration of leadership impact

Conditions of entry: To be eligible you must be 35 years or younger or be no more than five years since being awarded your PhD, at the closing date of entries.