DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Meeting 1 / 2014
Monday 14 April 2014 at 10.30pm
Room – W1.14
Burwood Campus
Chaired by – Tess Knight
Deputy Chair – Jaqi Broadbent
Meeting contact and Secretariat: Leah McCabe, phone ext - 46884, leah.mccabe@deakin.edu.au
1. Present: Ben Richardson, Mark Rogers, Lina Ricciardelli, Stefanie Sharman, Emily Kothe, Skye
McPhie, Ben Richardson, Jaclyn Broadbent, Hannah Bereznicki, Wendy Sutherland-Smith, Lisa
Chee, Emma Gould, Tess Knight, Jacqui Macdonald, Ross King, Christian Hyde, Sandra Hooper,
Richard Moulding, Kimberlee Burrows, Lucy Zinkiewicz, Mark Stokes, David Austin, Lisa Chee,
Janine McGuinness, Annette Dunham, Kathryn Dib, Vicki Kavadas, Ann Moreira, Michael Do,
Keith McVilly
Apologies: Merrilyn Hooley, Maria Hart, Maria Muthiah, Brian Wilkie, , Jacqueline Mills, Jessica
Browne, Martine Powell, Sharon Horwood, Eric Koukounas, Shannon Hyder, Jacqueline
Woerner, Katharine Woods, Jade Sheen, Charlotte Davies, David Mellor, Lata Satyen, Cadeyrn
Gaskin, Steven Trawley, Melissa Hayden, Marita McCabe, Joanne Buchanan, Linda Byrne,
Robert Cummins, Vanessa Sturre, Helen Skouteris, Jarrad Lum, Cathy Caballero, Suzanne Vidler,
Sherryn Evans, Alexander Mussap, Anastasia Konis, Gillian Clark, Belinda Guadagno, Bianca
Klettke, Nina Borojevic, Rachael Cox, Suzanne Vidler, Petra Staiger, Peter Enticott, Rebecca
Diehm, Jeromy Anglim, Nicole Papadopoulos, Melanie Bertino, Kathryn Von Treuer, Christina
Kolar
2. Procedural matters
No declarations from members of potential conflict of interest were noted.
3. Minutes
The minutes of Meeting 06/2013 held on 22 September 2013 were confirmed.
4. Action Items
Previous action item 5.1 regarding the proposed centralisation of the Special Consideration
process is yet to be resolved at the FTLC meeting.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Reports
5. Business of Teaching and Learning committee
5.1 To receive a report from the Faculty Teaching & Learning Committee
Nothing to report
5.2 To receive other reports.
None received
5.3 Discussion on the role of sessional staff in the teaching program
Ben Richardson briefed the staff on the extensive amount of hours that are currently
undertaken by sessional staff within our school. Ben explained that delivery of our units is
largely done by our sessional staff but under the current EBA the third paid hour is not
getting worked. A proposal was brought forward by Ben that a consultation room be opened
at both the Waterfront and Burwood campuses to both harness this lost hour of sessional
time and also provide extra support and service for students. In this room each sessional
staff member would work an hour (according to their unit) allowing students to contact
them either in person or online. This proposal was well received but it was suggested that
both this proposal and the consistency of tutor pays will need to be check with Union
regulations.
The preparation time required for sessional staff prior to lectures was also discussed. The
committee agreed that for sessional staff to prepare effectively and efficiently within an
hour then the appropriate resources need to be made available to the tutors from the unit
chairs.
It was suggested that a school approach be taken towards professional tutor training. The
committee agreed that a workshop/induction process should be considered for tutors. This
process would ensure centralised training and consistency throughout the sessional staff.
ACTION – In order to develop a centralised program Ben Richardson would like a clear idea
from unit chairs of their aims and needs for professional development of their tutors. To
provide feedback on this topic please contact Ben directly - ben.richardson@deakin.edu.au
5.4. Update on the changes to course in the u/grad and 4th year program
The committee received an update on the changes to the undergraduate and post graduate
course from Wendy Sutherland Smith. It was confirmed that there will be a major course
review of undergraduate psychology programs both single and double degrees. APAC will
not provide guidelines for course changes until December so unable to confirm yet exactly
what will be required for the undergraduate course restructure. Currently there will be
three new core units and 3 new elective units.
Wendy informed the committee that current course H653 does not meet AQF requirements
and will be discontinued as of next year. As this course would need to be of 2 year duration
to comply with requirements negotiations are currently underway with the University to
have a new 2 year version of the course approved. Problems that may occur with this and
are not yet confirmed are whether the 4th year will be guaranteed and any ramifications that
may follow this.
Wendy has asked that any thoughts on this be emailed directly to her - Wendy Sutherlandwendy.sutherlandsmith@deakin.edu.au
It was also confirmed that there will be no major changes to post graduate courses as at the
moment the Masters and 4th year programs meet the current AQF requirements. Tess
confirmed that there will be some changes to Honours assessment however and Jarrad Lum
will be giving a presentation on these changes at the next T & L meeting in May.
6. Teaching and Learning meeting forum
6.1 The Learning PIT (psychology's Innovative Teaching)
Jaqi Broadbent briefed staff on the new online blog The Learning Pit. This blog is open to all staff
and students via this link – https://blogs.deakin.edu.au/innovation-in-psychology
Currently the blog contains meeting news, course information, teaching and learning articles and
exemplars for guidance with online content. If you would like further information or to add to
the blog please contact the blog manager Jaqi Broadbent directly jaclyn.broadbent@deakin.edu.au
6.2 Update on the school OLT initiative
Wendy informed the committee that the school is tracking well and there are currently 3 seed
grants. Hannah Bereznicki, Gery Karantzas and Jade Sheen are leading these grants.
6.3 Inherent Course Requirements
Ben informed the committee of the importance of clear inherent course requirements for both
students and staff. The committee agreed that it is extremely important that there is consistency
with inherent course requirements. It was also noted that staff will require clarification of what
are reasonable adjustments for inherent course requirements, as opposed to avoiding
assessments altogether. The committee agreed that students need to be made aware of the
inherent course requirements prior to enrolment.
ACTION – Keith McVilly will be leading a group for this and volunteers are required to assist. If
you wish to be involved please contact Ben Richardson directly - ben.richardson@deakin.edu.au
7. OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 To receive a report from the Faculty Academic Secretary on the Enrolment Modes Project
Ann Moreira presented to the committee a report on the current enrolment mode changes
that have commenced. Ann explained that the new terminology has been brought in to
streamline the terminology used across the university.
Discussions took place and the general consensus was that as these new terms will now be
updated in all guides and on STAR that all staff will just need to adjust to these changes and
inform and assist students as required.
For details on the terminology changes and those to be implemented in the future please
see Ann’s presentation below.
Enrolment Modes -
Change of
Project update06032014.ppt
06032014.pdf
Enrolment Modes - Stakeholder Presentation-Faculties
7.2 Pre-requisites for HPS2XX units
The committee discussed the current problems regarding students undertaking HPS2XX
units without having the prior knowledge required for the unit content – e.g. Lab reports.
Development of an online resource was suggested to give the students the knowledge they
require to undertake these units, however it was also noted that the required prior learning
is covered in both HPS111 and HPS121. The majority of the committee agreed that is would
be beneficial to reinstate the level 1 pre-requisites. Ben has said that he will look into this
and let staff know.
7.3 Finalising trimester results
Tess has asked that unit chairs be aware that if they have not finalised their trimester results
at the end of their working trimester then they must be in consultation with the succeeding
unit chair in regards to these results. If RIEs and RIAs cannot be finalised before the end of
trimester unit chairs must be more vigilant regarding results and ensure they are followed
up or all information has been passed over to the next trimester unit chair.
7.4 Staff Profiles
Wendy has requested that all staff change the setting of their current online profiles to
allowing viewing from outside of Deakin. When the website was updated the Staff Profile
page was set to be viewed only by Deakin staff. Please reset the privacy tabs from ‘internal
only’ to ‘public access’. For further information on how to change this please contact Wendy
directly - wendy.sutherlandsmith@deakin.edu.au
Next meeting – Monday 19 May 2014
Chair – Tess Knight – Date: 14 April 2014