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Learning and Teaching

Overview

In the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies our aim is promote excellence in teaching practice and provide quality learning activities for our students. As a research intensive faculty we take the opportunity to apply research methodology to enhance subject delivery, to incorporate state-of-the-art project work into our learning activities and to optimise the design of our programs.

We encourage student/staff communication and feedback on all our activities and endeavour to provide resources to enhance the student experience above and beyond the usual degree subject content.

Learning and Teaching Enhancement Projects.

Advanced Engineering and Talented IT Student Programs

The Advanced Engineering Program and the Talented IT Students Program at the University of Sydney are open to students who have proven outstanding academic ability (a UAI of 98 or higher). These programs offer various enhanced learning experiences; the opportunity to follow on from HSC success in the areas of advanced maths, physics or chemistry or the opportunity to work with a small team of talented students on extended projects in Engineering or IT.

Entry to these programs is by invitation from the Dean following the release of HSC results. The program is available in all engineering and IT disciplines at the University of Sydney and continues in Year 2, 3 and 4.

Tutor Training Programs

The faculty is committed to continual improvement in the learning experience at all levels of teaching. The faculty in collaboration with the Institute of Teaching and Learning has developed a training program for all new tutors/demonstrators involved in Engineering or IT units of study. Training sessions are run for all new tutors at the commencement of each semester. Successful completion of the course will lead to an recognised tutor proficiency certificate.

Training comprises the following activities:

  • Introduction to Tutoring Workshop: this 2 hour interactive workshop will briefly cover general aspects of small group teaching. It will model small group teaching practice and provide an opportunity to discuss teaching techniques. It will familiarise new tutors with faculty and university policy and give an overview of the general aims of the faculty.
  • Planning Session with Unit Coordinator: This 1 hour session will ensure tutors understand the aims of the unit and the methodologies used for delivery of the engineering or IT content.
  • A reflective exercise related to tutoring: Tutors are required to complete a small reflective exercise on one of their tutorial sessions. It will help tutors to self evaluate their effectiveness in helping students learn. Tutors should then apply any insights gained from this exercise to one of their subsequent tutoring sessions and gauge the outcomes.
  • Unit Coordinator wrap up session: this is used to give feedback between the tutor and the unit coordinator on success or failure of the tutoring techniques used. It can be used as the basis for any required redesign of future delivery techniques for the unit.

Student Staff Liaison Meeting Feedback.

The schools of the faculty run staff/student liaison meetings on a regular basis as a mechanism for identifying problems arising during semester and to discuss ways of improving the various learning and teaching environments in their programs.

As feedback for all students concerned minutes and outcomes of these meetings will be published in the following pages.

Faculty Discussion Forums

The Faculty runs stream specific and Flexible First Year discussion forums and noticeboards to provide information and help answer any questions that students may have. Click on the link to visit the Faculty Discussion Forums.

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