SaMnet: Science and Mathematics network of Australian university educators

OLT Leadership for Excellencein Learning and Teaching Program 2011

Project Leaders

A/Prof Manjula Sharma (USYD) A/Prof Will Rifkin (USYD)Ms Stephanie Beames (QUT)Dr Elizabeth Johnson (La Trobe) A/Prof Cristina Varsavsky (Monash)Dr Andrea Crampton (CSU)A/Prof Marjan Zadnik (Curtin) HelpersProf Susan Jones (UTas) Dr Alex YeungProf Brian Yates (UTas) Mr Matthew HillMs Kelly Matthews (UQ) Ms Wakiuru Wohoro A/Prof Simon Pyke (UAde) Ms Helen Georgiou

Outline

• Conceptual: What is SaMnet?• Operational: How does it function?– Past activities– Future activities

• Relationships: SaMnet + disciplinary networks + National Centre

SoTL

SoTLUndertake scholarly inquiry into teaching & learning via Action-Learning Projects (ALPs)

-Improve student learning-Publications

INWARD

Leadership

LeadershipUnderstand leadership &implement processes so that ALP teams have visibility/influence

-Build capacity-Drive change

OUTWARD

CoP

Comm’s of Prac.Network / share in & across disciplines, common projectareas, institutions & regions.

-Scaffold development-Connect like minded people

Superglue

Conceptually …

SoTLINWARD

LeadershipOUTWARD

CoPSuperglue

Operational – key activities

21 + 8 Action Learning Projects (>25)• Critical friends • Website and newsletter

Whole day leadership/SoTL workshops in Feb/AprCase studies initiated in April2-hour workshops in May/AugNetworking via conf’s & Skypes from June …Writing workshop in July

Operational – future activities

ACSME- Discipline day themed workshops for CoPs- Two-hour lunch meeting- SaMnet scholar presentations

2013 - Whole day leadership workshops in Feb - Writing workshop in July- Networking at confs / Skypes - Case studies concluded

Relationships• Between educators• Between networks (& geographic groups)

• With professional associations• With universities• With funding bodies• With Govt / regulator

• With conferences

Relationships

Strategic questions

• Are projects with emphasis on SoTL & Leadership useful? … Is SaMnet useful?

• Given the size of Australian university science & mathematics community: – should CoPs across disciplines be encouraged?– are strategies across disciplines effective/efficient?– roles / functions of SaMnet and proposed Centre?

Acknowledgements

SaMnet funded by ALTC / DEEWR* (*OLT / DIISRTE) Support of ACDS

Contactswww.samnet.edu.ausamnetaustralia@gmail.com