Three UTS academics have been honoured for their commitment to the learning experience of their students in the 2015 Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning awarded by the Australian Government's Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT).
Associate Professor Sarath Kodagoda, Fiona Orr and Dr Julie Robert have been cited for innovative learning and teaching practices across the diverse disciplines of mechatronics (robotics), mental health nursing and language studies.
Fiona Orr, centre, with UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students) Professor Shirley Alexander and Associate Professor Sarath Kodagoda. Picture courtesy the Office for Learning and Teaching
UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said the citations reflected the hard work and commitment of the three awarded staff and colleagues across UTS to the learning experience of students.
"Teaching and ensuring a leading educational experience are strategic priorities for us: the pillars, along with research and outreach, supporting our vision to be recognised a world-leading university of technology," Professor Brungs said.
"These citations are further evidence of the excellence and quality of our innovative approaches to teaching and learning."
The details of the UTS citations were:
Associate Professor Sarath Kodagoda, Faculty of Engineering and IT – For leading curriculum innovations in mechatronics (robotics) education which inspire and motivate students inside and outside the classroom
Sarath has built on his experience in teaching, research and industry to lead innovation in mechatronics education. He has worked to create more engaging learning experiences for students, including an innovative robotic remote lab rig, and has mentored students on community engagement projects including the development of a wheelchair mounted robotic cricket bat for a disability services agency.
Fiona Orr, Faculty of Health– For transforming mental health nursing education through innovation simulations and collaborations with mental health consumers
Fiona has developed innovative approaches to learning and teaching which have transformed nursing students' experiences in mental health education. These approaches include collaborations with mental health care consumers to develop innovative simulations which engage nursing students with the real world of people who experience mental ill-health. These learning experiences transform students' understandings of mental illness, develop empathy, and prepare students to respond to the mental health needs of all individuals in the health care system.
Dr Julie Robert, picture supplied
Dr Julie Robert, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – For creation of a teaching and learning culture of global French targeted at non-language specialist students to equip them for study abroad
Julie has led new teaching approaches in the International Studies French curriculum. The curriculum now prepares students for the many forms of French used across the globe. Students learn about the differences in culture and vocabulary related to their study abroad destination as many students undertake their study abroad in countries other than France, such as Canada or Switzerland, and in towns outside of Paris, if they do study in France.
The OLT awards the citations to individuals and teams who have made a significant contribution to the quality of student learning in a specific area of responsibility over a sustained period, whether they are academic staff, general staff, sessional staff or institutional associates.
- Three UTS academics have received 2015 Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning awarded by the Australian Government's Office for Learning and Teaching
- Associate Professor Sarath Kodagoda, Fiona Orr and Dr Julie Robert have been cited for innovative learning and teaching practices across the diverse disciplines of mechatronics (robotics), mental health nursing and language studies