News Archive

Last week, I had the pleasure of recognising the excellent teaching evident in this institution.

The UWA Excellence in Teaching Awards 2013 acknowledges the fine contributions of teachers from across the faculties.

We recognise the fundamental importance of undergraduate teaching, an undertaking that is at the heart of any university.

The best teaching encourages and facilitates the most ambitious learning by developing and enhancing students' abilities. Good teachers enable their students to discover and to solve, whether in the classroom or online.

Teaching as a practice is perhaps more in flux now than at any time in human history. Innovations such as Massive Open Online Courses - or MOOCS - have the potential to reshape higher education.

Free online learning puts the spotlight on the fundamentals of pedagogy - the role of a teacher, the definition of a student, the value of a degree and even the mission of universities.

Our challenge is that anyone with access to the internet has the opportunity to study at some of the world's best institutions - receiving a certificate of completion but not, as yet, a degree.

There are, of course, invaluable qualities that massive open online courses can't replace - and this includes face-to-face teaching and the opportunity in the classroom, facilitated by good teachers, for students to interact with and learn from each other.

As educators, our challenge is to adapt digital teaching technologies and make them work for us, not replace us.

A 2012 study involving university teachers in the US suggested that most teachers are excited rather than nervous about e-textbooks and e-resources replacing traditional resources. They look forward to the growth of blended, or hybrid education. And it is not surprising that the same survey found that students overwhelmingly rate the impact of digital communication as positive.

The US study found that the proportion of students taking at least one online course had increased from fewer than one in 10 in 2002 to nearly one-third by 2010.

At UWA, we can pick and choose digital technologies that will best fit our students' needs.

Last week, the School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine opened its new E-Learning Suite. The School's New Approaches to Teaching project will revolutionise learning and teaching activities, with an emphasis on analytical, interpretative and critical thinking skills.

The School of Dentistry can simulate use of a dentist drill - using the same technology that trains fighter pilots, to train dentists. The simulated dental trainer computers represent one of the biggest changes in the history of teaching dental skills.

In other faculties across campus, our lecturers are using a variety of online tools to engage students and enhance the teaching and learning process.

Good teachers will employ new techniques that keep our students excited about learning. They will be at the vanguard of change in teaching.

UWA teaching award winners - and those honoured in the Australian Awards for University Teaching - are part of this changing landscape.

Paul Johnson

Vice-Chancellor