The University of Western Australia - Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FACULTY TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE

held in Room 1.58, First Floor, Physics Building on Tuesday 13 October 2009

Present:

Professor Geoff Hammond (Chair) Ms Jenny Gamble (Faculty Manager) Associate Professor Nancy Longnecker (Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator)

Representatives from Schools: Dr Jan Meyer (Anatomy and Human Biology) Professor Geoff Stewart (Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences) Professor Ian McArthur (Physics) Dr Peter Whipp (Sport Science, Exercise and Health) Dr Vance Locke (Psychology)

Other Representatives: Professor Song Wang (Mathematics and Statistics) Dr Jane Emberson (Academic Student Advisor) Mrs Vickie Falcetta (Representative from FNAS) Ms Felicity Renner (Biological Sciences Library) Visitors: Dr Jane Hallos (Student Advisor) Asst/Prof Julie Hill (Anatomy and Human Biology) Apologies Dr Thomas Martin (Director, Faculty Offshore Programs) Miss Tess Vermeulen (Undergraduate Student Representative) Ms Rachel Owens (Postgraduate Student Representative) Mr David Enright (Senior Administrative Officer/Offshore Programs)

Mrs Kath Williams (Executive Officer)

1. MINUTES

RESOLVED – 9

that the minutes of the meeting of Teaching and Learning Committee held on Tuesday 8 September 2009 be confirmed.

2. DECLARATIONS OF POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT OR PERCEIVED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No conflicts were declared.

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3. ITEMS/BUSINESS IN PROGRESS FOR NOTING SINCE PREVIOUS MEETING Item/Business in Progress Progress Update Status Audit of each major sequence to determine whether English Language Competency Skills are shown in at least one unit in each year level.

Audit to be undertaken by Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator. School to recommend major/s sequence

On hold

Principles of assessment and amendment of Marks

Policies to be created In progress

Peer review of Teaching School Representatives to canvas schools for views on implementation

In progress

4. CHAIR’S REPORT

The Chair reported as follows: Dr Jane Emberson was thanked for the unfailing exact advice that she had given to both staff and students during her tenure as the Faculty’s Academic Student Adviser. The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) was seeking advice from faculties on how they were addressing “students’ perceptions about bias in formal exam marking, fears of such bias and their overall confidence level in the University’s formal assessment processes”, with specific reference to how marks from exams and other assessments were moderated. Members agreed that this should be an item for discussion at the next meeting of this Committee. Members were advised of a forum for academic staff at Western Australian universities on ALTC awards, grants and fellowships. It is to be held on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at the Curtin University Dome from 1pm-5pm. Registrations (there is no registration fee) close at 5pm on Friday 30 October 2009. For more detailed information, see: http://otl.curtin.edu.au/scholarship_teaching_learning/altc_wand/index.cfm To register see: http://otl.curtin.edu.au/scholarship_teaching_learning/altc_wand/registration.cfm Members were advised that the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations had produced a good practice guide called “Examples of good practice in assisting international students to integrate with Australian students and the wider community”, which can be accessed at: http://aei.gov.au/AEI/GoodPractice_pdf

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5. FIRST YEAR UNIT ENROLMENTS AND LECTURE THEATRE CAPACITIES

Members were informed that enrolments in first year Psychology and Human Biology had this year exceeded the capacity of the Octagon, the largest lecturing venue in the University. Both Schools were extremely reluctant to repeat lectures to solve the problem. The problem was likely to be exacerbated under the Future Framework as fewer units were offered. The Committee was asked to review the solutions being put in place and explore other options. Physics had raised the same concern in the May 2009 meeting of this Committee. They had looked at the feasibility of running parallel lectures, with one group receiving a video feed of the live lecture. Students in the ‘video’ lecture would be able to interact in the same way as students in the ‘live’ lecture. Members noted that this may be trialled next year if student numbers increase. Further potential solutions to alleviate the problem included:

A change in policy concerning the building of lecture theatres and; A change in policy that allowed students to opt for online rather than live lectures, although

members agreed that this was not ideal.

Members agreed that this was a major issue for the University, and that it should be raised at the central Teaching and Learning Committee.

6. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

The Chair reported on issues associated with academic misconduct in the Faculty this year. There was concern over the imbalance between schools in the number of reported instances. Anatomy and Human Biology reported that a number of instances had recently been detected in ANHB1102 and that the procedures for determining academic misconduct were very time consuming. Using plagiarism detection software such as “Turnitin” for assignments submitted electronically would avoid inconsistencies between markers and might act as a deterrent. Furthermore, it would be useful if the unit AACE1000 (Academic Conduct Essentials) could be taken earlier than within the first ten weeks of enrolment. A member commented that the wording relating to the consequences of academic misconduct should be amended such that the companion brought by a student to an interview could not be another academic in the same school. The Academic Secretariat would be approached to suggest the change. The Chair agreed to determine whether unit coordinators could use software to detect plagiarism. Members agreed that if such software could be used under University policy there should be a global statement on UIMS stating that it might be used.

7. FACULTY OPERATIONAL PRIORITY PLAN (OPP)

Members were informed that the Faculty OPP 2010-2012 had been approved by the Dean and had been circulated to members. The updated OPP was tabled at the meeting for comment (Attachment A). Member’s comments included:

The target for operational objective ED3.1 LPS which stated “Improved pass rate in first-year units” should be changed to “Improved academic performance in first-year units”.

Implementation strategy for ED1.3 LPS which stated “Improvement of generic skills teaching” should be changed to “Improve teaching of generic skills” and;

It was pleasing to see Peer Assisted Learning (PAL), a worthwhile program, listed at ED3.5 LPS.

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8. FUTURE FRAMEWORK

The Chair and Faculty Manager provided an update on the Future Framework discussions. During discussions the following comments were made:

The definition of broadening units as belonging to a different degree was still a concern for this and other faculties;

It appeared that there would be an opportunity to make an academic case for different majors which shared units.

An informal meeting of representatives from the four Faculties offering majors in the BSc was scheduled for later in the week.

The Faculty Manager would circulate minutes and agendas relating to Future Framework as they became available and;

A proposal for a Genetics major was to be discussed by the Teaching and Learning Committee of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

9. PSB REPORT

PSB students were currently required to complete AACE1000 but not SCIE1130 (Introductory Research and Information Skills). It was agreed that from 2010 PSB students be required to complete SCIE1130. Members noted that it had always been the intention for SCIE1130 to be taken at PSB and no technical problems were foreseen. The Biological Sciences Library representative agreed to follow this up with the PSB Program Manager. Members were informed that the census dates and last dates for withdrawal without academic penalty (after which a withdrawal is FN) for PSB in 2009 could be found at: http://www.studentadmin.uwa.edu.au/welcome/enrolment/2009_study_periods,_census_and_withdrawal_dates/offshore_nonstandard_semester_dates/bachelor_of_science__lps_(singapore) The Academic Student Advisor advised that the census dates for units at PSB were not consistent as they were calculated on the number of days in each unit. This meant that staff teaching at PSB needed to ensure that students were aware of the census for their particular unit. There was some concern that students on the main campus were given three weeks to withdraw from a unit without it being listed on their academic transcript (Grade of WP), whereas students at PSB were given 24 hours. Members agreed that this was unsatisfactory and requested that this be followed up with the Academic Secretariat. Members were informed that a PSB student had missed a Thursday evening exam believing that it would be held on Friday evening. Due to the weekend, PSB could not be notified until the following week, outside the 24-hour period of grace usually allowed. Members agreed that the students should be allowed to sit exams in similar circumstances and that the guide specify that a fee might be applied.

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10. FAILING THE BSC HONOURS COURSE

The Academic Student Advisor advised that the proposed introduction of a Course Rule for the Bachelor of Science that stated that the outcome from failing a unit in the honours course would be an overall fail being recorded for the course, had been implemented by the Academic Secretariat as a Progress Status of ‘Exclusion’. This meant that the overall failure was not recorded on a student’s record and potentially the student could return to their studies at a later date to complete any failed units. This was thought not to be a satisfactory outcome and therefore members requested that a letter be sent to the Academic Secretariat proposing that an overall fail grade of UF be recorded for those students who had failed a unit in their honours year and were deemed to have failed the Honours course.

11. SCHOOL REPORTS

Biomedical, Bimolecular and Chemical Sciences – Professor Geoff Stewart reported that the School had held an information evening for prospective Honours students and that it had been well attended and received. Anatomy and Human Biology – Dr Jan Meyer reported that the size of laboratory and tutorial classes had increased, and that the School had been looking into teaching efficiencies, including interactive technologies, to deal with the increase. Physics – Professor Ian McArthur reported that Physics was collaborating with ANU in a venture to share Honours coursework units through a video link. There will be a trial with one unit from each university in 2010. Sport Science, Exercise and Health – Dr Peter Whipp noted that there was nothing to report.

12. TEACHING AND LEARNING CO-ORDINATOR REPORT

The Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator advised members that the foyer in the new Science Library was being used for displays of student work.

13. OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS

The Academic Student Advisor requested that when special units were set up they should follow a system that identified the point value of the unit:

XXXX3912 where the 12 would denote a 12 point unit; XXXX3906 where the 06 would denote a 6 point unit and; XXXX3903 where the 03 would denote a 3 point unit.