* 200-word abstracts for I-MELT poster session, National Wine Centre, Adelaide
* Free online seminar - What are we discovering about learning in the brain and can it be used to enhance teaching? Dr Jason Lodge
* Senior Educational Development Officer Role at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
* Higher Education in the Headlines

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200-word abstracts for I-MELT poster session, National Wine Centre, Adelaide
6 September, 2017

The International conference on Models of Engaged Learning and Teaching (I-MELT) has a full and rich program of presentations and workshops from Cambodia, Chile, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, UK, USA as well as across Australia.

If you didn’t have the time to write a short paper of 1500 words, or you are still in the early days of exploring MELT-related ideas, the committee warmly invite your 200-word abstract submission for poster presentations. 

The poster session is called ‘MELTing Moments’ and will involve two-minute presentations to the whole audience. In addition posters will be on rolling display on large screens in the National Wine Centre during the conference.

Poster presentations are an opportunity for creatively representing to the audience aspects of the Models of Engaged Learning and Teaching (MELT: see www.melt.edu.au)such as:
• your own adaptation of MELT that suits your context
• what happened when you implemented MELT
• MELT in the design of: 
o individual activities
o components of a subject such as the laboratory stream
o a whole subject
o assessment activities, marking and feedback
o a whole program

Abstracts may be submitted at research-advice@i-melt.edu.au by 6 September and will be reviewed by the committee. You will be informed by 13 September about acceptance.

Details on the abstract focus, structure and submission is at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rsd/i-melt/papers/

You can see the program of keynotes and outline for workshops, peer-reviewed presentations and conference events, as well as registration and accommodation details at www.i-melt.edu.au (early-bird registration closes 30 September)

Please contact me on the email below if you have any questions. I hope to see you at I-MELT.

John Willison, for the I-MELT organising committee.

Further information john.willison@adelaide.edu.au

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Free online seminar - What are we discovering about learning in the brain and can it be used to enhance teaching? Dr Jason Lodge
September 11th at 11am

The last decade has seen enormous advances in understanding how learning occurs in the brain and mind. Despite this progress, little of this research has filtered through to higher education practice. It is difficult to translate the growing understanding of learning in the brain to complex physical and virtual classroom environments. The distance from neuron to classroom has been described as ‘a bridge too far’. In this session, the cutting edge research on the science of learning will be discussed. A particular emphasis will be placed on the development of deep conceptual understanding, which is critical in the higher education context. Research from the laboratory is uncovering many ways for enhancing student learning in higher education. Some of these findings challenge long held wisdom about certain learning and teaching practices and necessitate careful consideration. The session will conclude with a discussion about possibilities for evidence-based innovation.

Jason Lodge is a Senior Lecturer in Higher Education and an experienced educator in psychology and higher education. Jason joined the Melbourne CSHE in 2014. He is a psychological scientist by profession and is affiliated with the national Australian Research Council funded Science of Learning Research Centre. He was also the recipient of the 2014 Australian Psychological Society Early Career Teaching Award and the 2016 Melbourne Graduate School of Education Teaching Excellence Award.

Jason's areas of expertise are in cognitive science, educational psychology, higher education and educational technology. His research focuses on the cognitive and emotional factors that influence student learning and the student experience in adult educational settings. He is predominantly interested in how educational technology is influencing the development of metacognition, critical thinking, expertise and professional ways of being. Jason also has specialist knowledge and experience in academic development, learning analytics, curriculum development, design for learning and assessment and evaluation in higher education. Jason is part of the Educational Technology Research Group.

Jason has over 13 years of experience in teaching in university settings as well as a decade of experience in corporate and vocational training. Jason has earned a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours from James Cook University, a Graduate Certificate in Business from Monash University, a Master of Higher Education from Macquarie University, a Master of Learning Sciences and Technology from The University of Sydney and a PhD in Psychological Science also from James Cook University. @jasonmlodge

Further information https://www.usq.edu.au/learning-teaching/USQSalon/2017/lodge

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Senior Educational Development Officer Role at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Dear all

We are looking for a full time Senior Educational Development Officer to join the Educational Development Centre at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with a specific role on outcome-based education, assessment, evaluation of learning impact and curriculum design. Detailed information can be found below.

Please forward to colleagues who might be interested.

Regards

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
The mission of the Educational Development Centre is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning at the University and support the University’s strategic initiatives in nurturing the development of all-round students with excellent professional competence. The Centre offers a variety of services, including short courses and workshops on teaching and learning, individual consultations, support for student learning outcomes assessment, teaching evaluation services, and activities which promote and support the use of educational technologies to enhance student learning. Please visit the website at http://edc.polyu.edu.hk for more information about the Centre.

Senior Educational Development Officer
The appointee will be required to:
(a) promote scholarship of teaching and learning, particularly in the area of innovative and transformative assessment practices to ensure quality assurance/enhancement of academic programmes and subjects at tertiary level through teaching development projects and engagement with teaching staff; 
(b) lead and support the development and implementation of educational initiatives, particularly in the areas of outcome-based education, assessment, evaluation of learning impact and curriculum design; 
(c) contribute to scholarship of teaching and learning via involvement in University-wide teacher development programme of courses, workshops and seminars; 
(d) perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Educational Development or her delegates. 

Applicants should have: 
(a) a doctoral degree in Education or a relevant discipline; 
(b) at least twelve years of proven experience in educational development at tertiary level, with mastery of knowledge of outcome-based education, assessment, evaluation of learning impact and curriculum design; 
(c) experience in effective team-leading, work coordination, and facilitation of training and workshops for academic staff, preferably with some management experience; 
(d) some teaching experience in tertiary institutions; 
(e) a proven track record in leading large-scale teaching development/educational projects and publishing scholarly work particularly in the areas of assessment and evaluation of learning impact; 
(f) a proactive and innovative work style with the ability to work independently and co-operatively; 
(g) strong organizational, problem-solving and leadership skills; 
(h) strong communication skills, including high proficiency in written and spoken English;
(i) good knowledge of trends in educational development, assessment and evaluation of learning impact in Hong Kong and/or overseas.
Experience in the implementation and evaluation of computer-based assessment techniques, including adaptive testing/learning would be an advantage. 
Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an interview and to present a portfolio of work they have undertaken relevant to this post.

Remuneration and Conditions of Service 
A highly competitive remuneration package will be offered. Initial appointment will be on a fixed-term gratuity-bearing contract. Re-engagement thereafter is subject to mutual agreement. Applicants should state their current and expected salary in the application. 

Application
Please submit your cover letter, application form and curriculum vitae via email to hrstaff@polyu.edu.hk; by fax at (852) 2764 3374; or by mail to Human Resources Office, 13/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Application forms can be obtained via the above channels or downloaded from http://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/job/en/guide_forms/forms.php.

Consideration of applications will commence in September 2017 until the position is filled. Details of the University’s Personal Information Collection Statement for recruitment can be found at http://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/job/en/guide_forms/pics.php.

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Higher Education in the Headlines

VET students’ $99k debt | JOHN ROSS | Australian Higher Education | 23 August, 2017
More than 450 students racked up mortgage-sized debts under the catastrophic VET FEE-HELP loan scheme.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/vet-students-saddled-wi...

For Needy Students, Geography Can Be Destiny | Peter Olsen-Phillips  | Chronicle of Higher Education | 18 August, 2017
Two Southeastern states have taken different directions on access: One has reined in tuition. The other state let it grow.
http://www.chronicle.com/article/For-Needy-Students-Geography/240862

University fossil fuel divestment total tips £80 billion globally | John Morgan | Times Higher Education | 17 August, 2017
UK emerges as campaign’s world leader as nine new institutions announce commitments
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/university-fossil-fuel-divestm...