Strength in diversity: enhancing learning in vocationally-orientated, master's level courses

Postgraduate education in geography, especially at the Master’s level, is undergoing significant changes in the developed world. There is an expansion of vocationally-oriented degree programmes, increasing recruitment of international students, integration of work place skills, and the engagement of non-traditional postgraduate students as departments respond to policies for a more ‘inclusive’ higher education. This paper sets the context by outlining some programmatic changes in selected countries (Australia, the UK, and the USA). We briefly reflect on how postgraduate ‘bars’ or ‘levels’ are defined and explore in detail what ‘diversity’ or ‘heterogeneity’ means in these new postgraduate settings. The paper then explores some examples of practice drawn from our own experiences, whilst recognising that relevance will vary in other contexts. Finally we consider how diversity can be harnessed as a strength that has potential to enhance taught elements of contemporary postgraduate education in and beyond the discipline

Finding common ground : enhancing interaction between domestic and international students - guide for academics

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Developing an Online Collaborative Approach to Global Education in Vocational Contexts

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The power of connection: sharing epistemological approaches to reach beyond knowledge and skill acquisition in an Australian higher education context

[Abstract]: The profiles of today‘s adult learners in higher education are complex and diverse. Supporting these students in their learning journey needs to go beyond the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities requiring a paradigm shift in pedagogical approach. In this paper, two tertiary educators from a regional Australian university share how they support adult learners enrolled both locally and globally to connect effectively with course content and with each other. One author, working primarily in undergraduate education courses has proposed a ―Winning Formula‖ approach to her pedagogy with an emphasis on student engagement, contextualised learning and choice of learning resources. The second author who works online with postgraduate learners shares outcomes of her research in online design with a focus on the principle of the ―CHE factor‖ (qualities of Connectivity, Humanness and Empathy) which she has found is the central tenet of effective online learning and teaching. As a result of a categorical analysis of multiple data sources from their individual research activities, the two authors were able to identify a number of shared learning and teaching principles which they have found support learners in making connections between their learning and the real world environments in which they live and work. Principles, however, cannot exist in a vacuum and need to be considered according to the educational contexts within which they are applied. The authors critique these key principles and the application to their own teaching contexts and share some anecdotal comments from students. The paper concludes with an invitation to others to consider the application (and possible adaptation) of the principles to their own educational contexts

Differentiated Instruction in Information Literacy Courses in Urban Universities: How Flipping the Classroom Can Transform a Course and Help Reach All Students

Urban universities enroll highly diverse student bodies by every measure of “diversity.” In addition to different learning styles students may innately possess, many aspects of diversity impact the way they learn. Despite having diverse students, information literacy instructors in urban universities may approach teaching by attempting to reach the “average student,” even when there is little to no homogeneity among students. A differentiated instruction approach invites instructors to design various teaching and assessment devices in an attempt to appeal to how students learn differently. In order for differentiated instruction in information literacy to work, most classroom time should be dedicated to students working alone or in groups to learn and apply the material by the means that best complements how they learn. This article presents a brief discussion of the research on the impact of cultural diversity on learning, explains differentiated instruction and how it allows information literacy instructors to better reach a diverse group of students, and advocates for the adoption of a flipped classroom teaching approach to allow for the transformation of classroom time into a tutorial model where varied differentiated instruction opportunities can co-exist to support students of all learning styles and backgrounds

Differentiated Instruction in Information Literacy Courses in Urban Universities: How Flipping the Classroom Can Transform a Course and Help Reach All Students

Urban universities enroll highly diverse student bodies by every measure of “diversity.” In addition to different learning styles students may innately possess, many aspects of diversity impact the way they learn. Despite having diverse students, information literacy instructors in urban universities may approach teaching by attempting to reach the “average student,” even when there is little to no homogeneity among students. A differentiated instruction approach invites instructors to design various teaching and assessment devices in an attempt to appeal to how students learn differently. In order for differentiated instruction in information literacy to work, most classroom time should be dedicated to students working alone or in groups to learn and apply the material by the means that best complements how they learn. This article presents a brief discussion of the research on the impact of cultural diversity on learning, explains differentiated instruction and how it allows information literacy instructors to better reach a diverse group of students, and advocates for the adoption of a flipped classroom teaching approach to allow for the transformation of classroom time into a tutorial model where varied differentiated instruction opportunities can co-exist to support students of all learning styles and backgrounds

Qualities of effective teachers who teach disadvantaged students: insights from the Varkey Teacher Ambassador Community

The goal of providing equitable quality education for every child will only be achieved if all children have access to a quality teacher. A shortage of effective teachers disproportionately affects children from poor and marginalized backgrounds. This study investigates the qualities, mindsets and behaviours of effective teachers who work with disadvantaged children using the Varkey Teacher Ambassador community. Our hope is that the findings from this study will inform policy makers across the globe and lead to improved policies to attract, develop, and retain effective teachers to serve the most disadvantaged students