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University Teaching and Learning Plan 1997-2000

CURTIN'S VISION

Curtin aspires to be Australia's world-class University of Technology

CURTIN'S MISSION and VALUES

Curtin is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the enrichment of culture. Its particular mission is to convey through everything it does a commitment to the following values:

• the search for innovative applications of technology to educational purposes and other social needs, emphasising continuous improvement;
• the cultivation of responsive and responsible links with the wider community, emphasising service, practical relevance, social justice and ethical behaviour;
• the development of students and staff as citizens of the world, emphasising an international outlook, cultural diversity, and an informed respect for indigenous peoples.

CURTIN'S GOALS

The Curtin community is united by a commitment to scholarship that embraces both teaching and research as complementary, inter-linked parts of its mission. Accordingly, the University's main goals are to achieve excellence in:

• teaching and learning, which prepares graduates for lifelong learning and equips them to make a positive contribution to society;
• research and development, particularly as a partner with government, commerce, industry, professional organisations, other institutions of learning and the community.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

The key stakeholders to whom Curtin University of Technology is accountable in regard to its teaching and learning goal are:

students		the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs
graduates		other Federal and State Government bodies
staff		other universities and educational institutions
employers		overseas institutions and governments
professional bodies		the wider community

At the Divisional/Branch, School, Departmental or support area level, other stakeholders may need to be taken into account in planning, implementing and evaluating teaching and learning programs and activities.

CURTIN'S TEACHING AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The Teaching and Learning Plan translates the University's teaching and learning goal into five objectives:

Objective 1		To produce graduates who embody the University's values and are equipped for careers in their chosen fields
Objective 2		To satisfy the diverse learning needs within the student body
Objective 3		To foster self-directed learning among students
Objective 4		To encourage reflective practice by staff
Objective 5		To promote, recognise and reward quality teaching and learning

The Teaching and Learning Plan provides the framework for the policies, procedures, systems and performance indicators which are needed to implement and evaluate the achievement of the teaching learning goal and these five objectives.

The Teaching Learning Plan articulates with other relevant University plans.

Appropriate targets and measures will be set for the implementation and review of teaching and learning by the Office of Teaching and Learning, the Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee, the Courses Committee and the Quality Office and working in accord with external and internal requirements for quality assurance.

Throughout this Plan, the term 'student' refers to all of those who are enrolled in Curtin University's undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education programs both within Australia and overseas. The term 'teaching and learning' refers to face-to-face, practical, clinical, field- and work-based and technology-delivered activities, distance education and open and flexible learning and on-shore and off-shore provision.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING 1997 - 2000

The Teaching and Learning Plan objectives are generic and on-going. The University Strategic Plan for 1997 - 2000 identifies specific initiatives that are designed to improve teaching and learning in an environment which increasingly demands accountability and is both competitive and resource-constrained.

OBJECTIVES

Objective 1- To produce graduates who embody the University's values and are equipped for careers in their chosen fields

The policies, procedures, systems and performance indicators for this objective will be framed in terms of:

• courses and teaching and learning which accord with the University's mission, values and goals;
• graduates' capacity to demonstrate:
  • valuing, mastery and application of knowledge;
  • understanding and mastery of technology, including information technology;
  • communication skills;
  • critical evaluation;
  • creativity, problem solving and decision making;
  • a practical attitude to workplace requirements;
  • ability to work independently or in teams as required;
  • a sense of service and social justice and ethical behaviour;
  • ability to make positive contributions to Australian and international communities.

Objective 2 - To satisfy the diverse learning needs within the student body

The policies, procedures, systems and performance indicators for this objective will be framed in terms of:

• entry systems, course provision, student support, library services and information systems in accordance with this objective;
• the extent to which it is appropriate for staff to:
  • accommodate different credentials and prior learning to facilitate people entering or returning to study;
  • adapt the what, when, how and where of the teaching and learning to the needs and circumstances of students;
  • work in accord with the University's Plan for Equity and Social Justice;
  • plan, teach and assess in ways which demonstrate informed respect towards indigenous peoples, cultural diversity, gender, age and social and family circumstance.

Objective 3 - To foster self-directed learning by students

The policies, procedures, systems and performance indicators for this objective will be framed in terms of:

• course content and delivery and the provision and use of library services and information technology in accordance with this objective;
• the students' capacity to:
  • discover, develop and apply their own strengths and capabilities;
  • set goals for their own learning;
  • work independently towards the achievement of their learning goals;
  • monitor and evaluate their learning;
  • access and apply knowledge sources and information systems;
  • the graduates' capacity to value and engage in lifelong learning.

Objective 4 - To encourage reflective practice by staff

The performance indicators for this objective will be framed in terms of the staff's:

• responsiveness to students' needs;
• monitoring and improvement of their teaching and learning;
• application of scholarship and research to their teaching;
• contribution to the scholarship and practice of teaching and learning.

Objective 5 - To promote, recognise and reward quality teaching and learning

The performance indicators for this objective will be framed in terms of:

• a public commitment to scholarship that embraces teaching and research as complementary, interlinked parts of the University's mission;
• staff perceptions of the importance placed on teaching and learning in the University's planning, operations and review processes;
• recruitment, appointment, confirmation and promotion procedures which accord with the University's Teaching and Learning goal and Teaching and Learning Plan ;
• staff participation in the scholarship and practice of teaching and learning;
• the balance between market values and academic values in teaching and learning.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Office of Teaching and Learning is responsible for developing and implementing policies and practices that support Curtin's goal of achieving excellence in teaching and learning.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) is accountable for the implementation and review of the Teaching and Learning Plan, and works in close collaboration with other senior members of the Vice-Chancellory, with the University Academic and Resources Boards and with all those responsible for teaching and support areas in regard to:

• the development and maintenance of appropriate policies, structures, budgeting systems, management and administrative practices, physical environments, resources and services;
• the development and implementation of teaching and learning programs consistent with the University's goals and objectives and the stakeholders' needs and expectations;
• the development and maintenance of systems and processes for the continual review and monitoring of performance, operational needs and the teaching and learning environment.

 

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