John Croucher Professor of Statistics

Macquarie Graduate School of Management

Macquarie University North Ryde, Sydney

My own experience

Began as a student at MQ in 1967

Went to the USA to do a PhD in 1971

Returned to MQ as a lecturer in 1974

My own experience

In the Faculty of Business until 2004

Since then at Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM)

Nelson Mandela

What counts is not where you study but the experience you have while studying

A recent survey of more than 30,000 US college graduates

Only 14% felt that lecturers:

cared or supported them

made them excited about their course

A recent survey of more than 30,000 US college graduates

High on their wish list was to have

inspirational lecturers

A recent survey of more than 30,000 US college graduates

The 2013 Australian University Experience National Report

Only 50% have a sense of belonging with their university

The 2013 Australian University Experience National Report

Fewer than 50% of students

interact with fellow students

outside university time

Lecture attendance Many undergraduate units report 25% or lower lecture attendance

Students see little value in attending lectures

Lecture attendance

Students who don’t attend lectures tend to be the ones who drop out

Are students given too much?

What makes a poor teacher?

Boring and bored

No engagement with the class

Lack of enthusiasm

Uncaring

No preparation

Insufficient knowledge

What makes a poor teacher?

My own experience

Lecturers who:

read out the textbook to the class

dictate their lecture notes

My own experience

turn their back to the class the entire time

won’t answer questions

What makes a good teacher?

Stimulate curiosity

Relevant

Passionate

Engaging

Challenging

Enthusiastic

Knowledgeable

Good class dynamics

What makes a good teacher?

Fair assessment

Creative

Available in and outside class

Well prepared for the lesson

What makes a good teacher?

Caring

Instilling a love of learning

Explains concepts clearly

What makes a good teacher?

Scholarship

An academic is like being a cricketer

They can be a specialist batter (research)

They can be a specialist bowler (teaching)

Must be able to field (admin/community)

Academics are expected to do all three

at a high level

But what if they are outstanding in only

one aspect?

Scholarship

Teaching-only faculty

What is the value of good teaching to a

university?

Should non-research active lecturers

who are excellent teachers be promoted?

Computer aided learning

Using PowerPoint

Using computers effectively

Online learning

The future of learning and teaching?