History Department Response to Student Feedback
HSTY6998 Australian Maritime History (2009)

Unit Coordinator: Dr Cindy McCreery

This was a very small postgraduate coursework unit, run for the first time in Semester 1, 2009.

The student feedback (both formal, via official surveys, as well as informal, via student conversation with me) was overwhelmingly positive; and I reproduce the statistics and a representative sample of student comments on the official survey forms below.

As I consider how to improve the unit in the future, I have taken on board student requests for a shorter piece of written assessment due early in the semester as well as some re-thinking of a few of the readings. So, too, discussions with this year’s students has encouraged me to focus more on the cultural history of the Pacific Ocean c.1750-1950 (not just Australia) the next time the unit is taught. Topics will include: Environment, Exploration, Whaling, Missionaries, Convicts and Settlers, Trade, Material Culture, Memory and War.

Numbers and headings relate to the questions in the official Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Unit of Study Evaluation forms.

1. Learning outcomes and expected standards were clear to me

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Yes, the outcomes and standards were very clear.
However, some feedback on a shorter written piece earlier in the semester would have helped.’

2. Teaching helped me to learn effectively

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Yes, quite thorough and effective.’

‘…having us (as students) read widely a[nd] present a particular seminar helped to develop good learning skills.’


3. Unit of Study helped me develop valuable graduate attributes

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Skills revealed were all of the above based on general inquiry into subject matter by participating, researching, communicating and learning.’


4. I was motivated to engage with the learning activities

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Perhaps shorter/slightly more selective readings would allow more effective engagement with the sources.’

‘I have always been interested in maritime history from an early age and continued to explore this during the course.’

‘Lecturer interested in her subject & a good communicator.’

5. Assessment allowed me to demonstrate what I had understood

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Class participation, seminar presentation and general work on my essay made the task of demonstrating my understanding easy.’


6. I can see the relevance of this unit of study to my degree

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘I think it is a very important aspect of my study of Australian history particularly from the colonial period.’

7. It was clear to me that the staff in this unit of study were responsive to student feedback.

Agree & Strongly Agree: 50%

‘Cindy always responded to any of my queries.’

‘First time course run.’

8. Group work/discussions added to my understanding.

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Class participation was informative and a good learning experience.’

‘A small group enabled good discussions.’

9. I received timely, constructive feedback about my work in this unit

Agree & Strongly Agree: 50%

‘Cindy provided me with guidelines from time to time and in class regularly.’

‘Lecturer gave good feedback.’

10. The learning materials significantly helped the development of my understanding in this unit

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘It helped greatly that Cindy provided course materials in advance.’

‘Well-prepared, but could be altered for interests.’

11.This unit of study stimulated my thinking and helped to develop an enhanced diversity of ideas, attitudes and approaches to and beyond the subject matter

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Yes; by having 4 different views on the subject matter.’

‘Lecturer very helpful in explaining topics & in inviting guest lectures.’

12. Overall I was satisfied with the quality of this unit of study

Agree & Strongly Agree: 100%

‘Yes, Cindy was a very motivated and enthusiastic teacher. With some polishing and a careful focus on the Australian perspectives, this stands to be an outstanding course.’

‘Cindy McCreery was well prepared & made the course very interesting with its choice of guests & subjects.’

‘She was open to suggestions & I would recommend the course.’