Tertiary Teaching and Learning
Tertiary education today clearly represents diversity, displayed through the range of institutions and educational programs offered, the differences in student characteristics, including physical, psychological, economic, social and academic, the different cultural and language backgrounds of learners, and the different locations and conditions where learning takes place. Recognising diversity is important, but this is only part of what is required of tertiary teachers and institutions. More important for the success of tertiary teaching and learning is how teachers and institutions deal with diversity. Dealing with diversity, at times, requires changes in policy, institutional structure, the roles of institutions and their staff, learner activities, curriculum, teaching methods and technology. This book examines issues of diversity in the tertiary education sector and the changes that are taking place. It presents a range of case studies and approaches for dealing with diversity in tertiary education. Throughout the chapters the underlying sub-theme of this book - 'dealing with diversity' - is that good teaching is needed to bring about better and more efficient learning for students in increasingly diverse learning communities. Dr Greg Shaw is Senior Lecturer in Education at Charles Darwin University where he teaches and conducts research in adult education and training, educational technology, tertiary teaching and learning. He holds a PhD in adult learning in rural and remote contexts. He has convened two international conferences on tertiary teaching and is the co-author and editor of a number of publications on university teaching and learning. He is an active consultant and has recently worked in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and China.