[Foundations] Foundations Colloquium 2010

[Siva Krishnan]

Dear Colleague,

It is with great pleasure that the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Newcastle invites you to the annual Foundations Colloquium. Foundations Colloquium 2010 will be held between 10 - 12 November at Newcastle, Australia and is proudly supported by the Council of Australian Directors of Academic Development (CADAD).

The theme for this year's Foundations Colloquium is "Foundations Programs: Impact and Challenges". The proposed Foundations Colloquium 2010 will engage participants in discussions about key issues including:
1. Foundations programs sector-wide: Reasons why they should and should not be compulsory
2. Institutional aims for Foundations Programs in teaching and practice and for student learning
3. Measurement of the impact of Foundations Programs
4. Challenges for those who facilitate Foundations Programs
5. Providing follow-up support to participants of Foundations Programs
6. Optimal strategies for articulating compulsory Foundations Programs

It is hoped that these discussions will enable universities to lead the negotiation for an Australian standard with respect to academic development qualifications in tertiary teaching. The event also extends the opportunity for those who develop, facilitate or co-ordinate Foundations Programs to collaborate and to share resources and practice.

The colloquium website can be accessed at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/centre-for-teaching-and-learning/events/foundations-colloquium-2010/ 

Information about the colloquium program, accommodation and travel information can be found at this website. Registration to the colloquium is now open and closes on 1 Oct 2010. Please contact Andrew Steinbeck by email Andrew.Steinbeck at newcastle.edu.au for enquiries regarding the event. 

We are also looking for volunteers to chair the following parallel discussion sessions. 

1. What should institutions be trying to achieve through Foundations Programs?
     - In teaching practice and
     - For student learning

2. How should institutions measure the impact of Foundations Programs
    - What evidence should institutions look for? and
    - How should institutions measure it?

3.  How can we provide follow-up support to the participants of our Foundation Programs?

4.  What are the optimal strategies for articulating compulsory Foundations Programs?

Please register your interest with Siva Krishnan by email Siva.Krishnan at newcastle.edu.au if you wish chair one or more of the above parallel discussion sessions.

On behalf of the Centre for Teaching and Learning, I look forward to welcoming you to Newcastle.

Regards


Dr. Siva Krishnan
Lecturer, Curriculum Design and Development
Centre for Teaching and Learning
The University of Newcastle
University Drive
CALLAGHAN  NSW  2308
 
Ph: +61 2 4921 6533
Mobile: +61 422 869 771
Email: Siva.Krishnan at newcastle.edu.au