Designs on better learning
22 May 2007
 |
Professor Peter Goodyear |
The University's Professor Peter Goodyear was today awarded a prestigious Carrick Senior Fellowship for his research into how university teachers can design better learning activities.
The one-year senior fellowships, worth $330,000, are awarded to outstanding scholars who are respected advocates for excellence in teaching and learning.
Professor of Education and co-director of the CoCo Research Centre at University of Sydney since 2003, his research interests are all about how students learn. "The focus of attention is moving from what the teacher says to what students do," he says.
"People learn by doing, not just by being told things. So the design of good learning tasks, and the design and management of supportive learning environments, are moving centre stage in higher education.
"In universities, these learning activities now draw on a wider range of tools and resources than ever before: computer software, the Internet, books, papers, people, and so on.
"The richness and variety of these resources provides tremendous scope for good teaching, but it also presents a difficult design challenge for academic staff."
Professor Goodyear's work will help teachers design learning resources and activities by improving our knowledge about the "essence of good educational activities".
He is one of only two academics Australia-wide awarded a senior fellowship today.
About the Carrick Fellowships
The Carrick Fellowship program aims to promote excellence in Learning and Teaching in higher education by supporting leading educators to undertake strategic, high profile fellowship activities that will advance learning and teaching in Australian Higher Education.
Criteria include academic profile, record of leadership; international recognition; the significance of the educational issues addressed; and the originality, likely impact and sustainability of the outcomes.
"The work undertaken by the Fellows will help to enhance the quality of tertiary teaching, and to optimise the educational experience for all students," said Professor Richard Johnstone, Executive Director of the Carrick Institute.
Contact: Kath Kenny
Phone: 02 9351 2261 or 0434 606 100