Latest News
AAUT & UniSA Breakfast Series: 26 June
12 June, 2025
Effective Mastery Learning in the Era of Generative AI
8.30 – 9.30 AM (ACST) Thursday 26 June 2025
Register HERE
Hosted by UniSA’s Teaching Innovation Unit
PRESENTER: Associate Professor Claudia Szabo ( University of Adelaide)
ABSTRACT: The application of mastery learning, where students progress through their learning in a self-paced manner until they have mastered specific concepts, is considered appealing for teaching introductory programming courses. Despite its growing popularity in computing and its extensive use in other disciplines, there is no overview of the design of courses that use mastery learning. In this talk, I present five mastery learning models and discuss examples of how these can be applied in practice, both in foundational programming as well as more advanced courses. A case study of a mastery learning implementation in a foundation programming course is presented in detail. We then proceed with a look into the very near future with a discussion on the challenges of implementing mastery learning in the era of Generative AI, where the availability and ease of use of Generative AI solutions can be at odds with the principles of implementing this pedagogy.
BIO: A/Prof Claudia Szabo is a nationally recognised leader in computing education, recently honoured with the 2024 AAUT Award for Teaching Excellence in the Engineering, Information Technology, Architecture and Building category. As the Associate Head for Learning and Teaching in the School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide, she drives innovation in curriculum design, student experience and academic development. Her learning and teaching scholarship is grounded in evidence-based pedagogies and learning theories, with a focus on inclusive education and an excellent student experience at scale. Claudia fosters a diverse and inclusive community of computer science practitioners, her peers and her students by engaging in a wide range of activities at local, national, and international levels, all aimed at ensuring student success and excellent graduate outcomes extensively applied to industry.
AAUT & UniSA Breakfast Series: May
30 April, 2025
Watch the recording HERE.
‘From Small Things, Big Things Grow’: Simulation-Based Education within Postgraduate Psychology as a Case Example of How One Idea Can Lead to a Bourgeoning Program of Educational Leadership
Presented by Associate Professor Josephine Paparo (Macquarie University)
Hosted by UniSA’s Teaching Innovation Unit
ABSTRACT: In the context of increasing numbers of teaching intensive positions within the higher education sector, how does one go about building a program of educational leadership? Often the focus of such roles is the delivery of teaching enterprise, which is undeniably critical to the creation of transformative learning experiences for students. However, such activities can easily become all-consuming for the teaching-focussed academic, especially those new to academia. This risks the cultivation of an environment where engagement with the broader educational contexts in which we practice is deprioritised. In this presentation, we will explore how from one idea multiple opportunities for pedagogical innovation and educational leadership beyond direct teaching endeavour can arise. A case example from postgraduate psychology of an initiative originally intended to address placement shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic via simulation-based education will be used to illustrate how by harnessing the power of collaboration, educators can become change-makers and cultivate a multi-faceted portfolio that showcases a strong commitment to educational excellence and leadership.
BIO: Josephine Paparo is an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology and Teaching & Leadership focussed academic at Macquarie University, where she makes extensive contributions to both undergraduate and postgraduate psychology education. She is particularly passionate about training future psychologists and has held several leadership positions in postgraduate psychology across multiple institutions. She has a keen research interest in the optimisation of education and training, as well as supporting colleagues to thrive, succeed, and meet their career aspirations. Josephine’s contributions to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning are evidenced by a range of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and seminars on related topics. In recognition of her local and national contributions to psychology education and training, she was awarded a Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Teaching Excellence Award in 2021, Senior Fellowship with Advance HE and the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s Educational Leader Award in 2023, and a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student learning as part of the Australian Awards for University Teaching in 2024.
Save the Dates: AAUT & UniSA Breakfast Series
15 April, 2025
AAUT is once again collaborating with the Teaching Innovation Unit at UniSA to showcase the achievements of 2024 AAUT recipients and share innovative teaching practices and programs with the academic community.
Running from April through November, the series will be held on the second Thursday morning of each month, from 8am to 9am (ACST).
Stay tuned for the registration link!
Updated Date: Thursday, 26 June
Updated Presenter for the September session: Dr Bill Platz, Griffith University
