annual report/2006 - University of Melbourne

learning
and teaching/
A working group of the Melbourne
Experience Committee has been
established to ensure that an effective
student-centred communication strategy
is implemented to support the portal.
Staged implementation of the
Blackboard Learning Management
System (LMS) continued throughout
2006, with the University achieving
its planned enrolment of 25,000
students in 600 Blackboard-delivered
subjects in Semester 2, 2006. The
observations of staff and students who
participated in the 2005 pilot program
were reflected in strategies to improve
the LMS throughout 2006. In further
LMS developments, Readings Online
established a library-run service for
managing online teaching and learning
objects through the LMS. Materials
will be managed so that they are
copyright compliant, professionally
‘catalogued’ for efficient retrieval, and
stored systematically to allow multiple
reuses as required. A Disaster Recovery
System was also implemented for
the LMS.
Internationalisation
Strategic Priority
• Ensuring that the Melbourne
Experience is an international one
Achievements
Over the last four years, the University
has responded to the increasing
diversification of its student population
by implementing measures to
internationalise the curriculum and
by ensuring that the different needs
of students are met across a range
of activities.
Teaching innovations are guided by
the 2004 Report, Students from Asia:
Issues in Learning and Teaching.
The report makes recommendations
promoting culturally sensitive and
student-centred teaching practices for
Australian and international students.
Since 2004 all faculties have, with the
assistance of resources and programs
developed by the CSHE, implemented
initiatives to encourage cultural diversity
in curricula, learning, teaching, and
assessment.
In 2006 a summit held by the DVC
(Academic) focussed further attention
on these issues and, in particular,
considered culturally inclusive practices
in learning, teaching and assessment,
the implications of learning in a different
culture and learning while developing
English language proficiency.
Curriculum initiatives in 2006 include:
• The U21 Certificate in Global Issues,
a multidisciplinary award which
focuses on contemporary global
issues, offered in conjunction with
four other member institutions of
the Universitas 21 Consortium.
Feedback from students undertaking
online modules has been very
positive. Following the launch of
the pilot program in 2005, various
administrative issues have been
addressed. A new business model,
to be developed in 2007, will ensure
that the program remains viable on
a larger scale.
• The Faculty of Veterinary Science
established the Postgraduate
Certificate in Avian Health and the
Master of Avian Health and Medicine
as jointly-badged courses to be
offered in collaboration with the
University of Georgia, USA.
• Continued budget incentives providing
faculties with a bonus based on the
number of students enrolled in Asiaoriented
subjects.
The University has significantly
improved English language testing
and language support services for
international students in recent years.
During 2006 a Task Force on English
Language Bridging and Support
Programs was set up to review and
provide further advice to the Academic
Board on English language entry
pathways and support mechanisms
in the context of the new generation
undergraduate degrees. Further
English language support programs
will be developed in accordance with
the Taskforce’s recommendations, in
consultation with BUGS.
The effectiveness of services
provided to international students is
monitored each year by the Melbourne
profile
Professor Belinda Probert
Dean of Faculty of Arts
Leading sociologist Professor
Belinda Probert commenced as
Dean of the Faculty of Arts
during 2006. Formerly Pro
Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at
the University of Western
Australia, Professor Probert has an
impressive background in university
administration as well as in her area
of academic expertise.
Under her guidance the Faculty
of Arts has been restructured to
promote greater interdisciplinary
collaboration in teaching and
research and more streamlined
administrative and decision-making
processes. From 1 January 2007
the Faculty will comprise seven new
Schools – the Asia Institute, Culture
and Communication, Historical
Studies, Languages and Linguistics,
Philosophy, Political Science,
Criminology and Sociology and
Social and Environmental Inquiry.
Professor Probert’s teaching and
research expertise has been
built in the area of politics and
sociology where she has researched
and published extensively on
employment policy, gender, equity,
and work and welfare reform. She
is a Fellow of the Academy of Social
Sciences in Australia.
The University of Melbourne Annual Report 2006
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