Bundaberg Education Lecturer Dr Robert Vanderburg has been recognised for his efforts in innovation in the 2020 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards.
Dr Vanderburg, from CQUniversity School of Education and the Arts, was awarded for Exemplary Practice in Learning and Teaching by allowing students to access the curriculum in a digital format.
His project involved building a novel literacy and numeracy curriculum for students by incorporating creative test-taking pedagogies scaffolded with resilience strategies in a digital portal and units.
It was identified as demonstrating the best in learning innovation, student support, adaptation, and scholarship.
“Being recognised for this award is a great honour for me,” Dr Vanderburg said.
“The curriculum was new in that students could access the curriculum in a digital format.
“The curriculum also integrated test taking strategies, content curriculum, and psychological strategies on how to take standardised tests.”
He said the new platform had been beneficial for students.
“They could access the curriculum on their own schedule, and they were able to lean new test-taking strategies.
“In addition, students learned how to deal with the stress of a standardised test.”
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp said with the COVID-19 pandemic seeing most course delivery moving online, the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards awards recognised those who had risen to the challenge to think outside-the-box in order to engage with students.
“CQUniversity’s learning and teaching environment spans multiple locations and delivery modes, and those who teach here rise to the challenges associated with teaching in such an environment to an incredibly diverse range of students,” Prof Klomp said.
“I congratulate all of this year’s winners for their commitment to innovative teaching and learning.”
Dr Vanderburg said he could not have received the award without the support of his family, the dean and friend Michael Cowling.
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