AAEE - Australasian Association for Engineering Education

We are always looking for feedback, and new material for our website. If you have something to contribute, please contact the aaee .

2007 AWARDS

The results of the 2007 Excellence in Engineering Education Awards were announced at the AAEE Annual Conference Dinner on 11 December in Melbourne.The judging panel and AAEE congratulate the following winners on the high standard of their practice and contributions to Engineering Education.

Award for Teaching Excellence
Richard Buckland, UNSW

Award for Teaching Excellence - Highly Commended
Dr Peter Sutton, University of Queensland

Programs that Enhance Student Learning: Innovation in Curricula, Learning & Teaching
Assoc Prof Antonija Mitrovic, University of Canterbury

Programs that Enhance Student Learning: Services Supporting Student Learning
Dr John Hamer, University of Auckland

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Dr Giles Thomas & Paul Furness, Australian Maritime College
Dr Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, University of South Australia
Dr Peter Ashman, University of Adelaide

The commendations for the winners, which provide a clear indication of the quality of their practice and contributions are as follows:

Richard Buckland

A mathematician and computer scientist, his students describe this multi-award winning educator as a 'true inspiration' They speak of “active learning” and continuing to learn between their 'magical' lectures. They describe seeing the 'beauty' in their engineering problems, of being excited and wanting to find out more. He brings ordinary 'real life' to his classroom and challenges students to think about it in an extraordinary way. He purposefully sets out to 'seduce' his students into wanting to learn. He works hard to make large lectures inclusive, engaging and active. His mentoring is well regarded and has inspired others to choose teaching as their career path. His teaching is evidenced as having long lasting effects and Alumni state that his courses were critical in their intellectual development and careers. He is noted for passionate and extraordinary pastoral care of his students.

Dr Peter Sutton

His colleagues describe him as an extraordinary teacher. His distinctive strengths embody a combination of expertise in a range of key technical areas with admirable personal qualities. Some specific strengths that echo throughout the nomination include: judicious application of technology, perfectionism in having courses well prepared and seamless for students, ability to facilitate explanations which lead to a higher understanding of complex problems and outstanding teamwork and leadership.

Assoc Prof Antonija Mitrovic

She leads the Intelligent Computer Tutoring Group ICTG in the development and research of knowledge-based educational systems that adapt to the needs, abilities and knowledge of their students. The group has gained wide acclaim for their work and has created an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS). The ITS provides individual support for students, tracks them over time and adapts itself to the students' knowledge and abilities. The system provides support for student problem-solving opportunities, and providing feedback tailored towards their individual level of knowledge. Being web based, the system provides flexibility for students and support from any location and at any time.

Dr John Hamer

Aropa is a web-based tool specifically designed by this person to support routine peer assessment activities in large, undergraduate classes. It is widely applicable to multiple contexts. The underlying teaching philosophy is that students require early and repeated exposure to activities that engage them deeply in course material, challenge them to reflect on their work, and that develop evalutation and comunication skills. Aropa has been used within engineering and other departments since 2001, and now has in excess of 1000 students using the system each semester. This person has also led the ongoing research program related to the effect Aropa has on student learning and has gathered strong evidence that the system leads to improved learning outcomes.

Dr Giles Thomas & Paul Furness

Giles and Paul are dedicated educators who are constantly seeking ways to improve student understanding of ship design concepts. Their work with final year BE students is examplary and draws industry clients from the 'real world' to student design work. Through their client interactions and industry based guest lectures, students are exposed to 'real world' scaffolding for their learning. The team has intelligently crafted formative and summative assessment opportunities to improve learning. This has resulted in significant improvements in student learning.

Dr Syed Mahfuzul Aziz

Through enhancements of design tools, changes to the learning environment, and a fresh, stimulating teaching methodology, coupled with a quiet yet infectious enthusiasm, Mahfuz Aziz has had a profound impact on the teaching of electronic circuit design concepts and practice both locally and internationally.

Dr Peter Ashman

Peter's ability to stimulate independent learning and the development of critical thought is evident in the methodology he employs to teach practical problem solving skills through laboratory projects and undergraduate research projects. He is noted for his ability to present course material in a way that retains and stimulates the desire to learn. He has gained a well deserved reputation for his very effective and sympathetic guidance and advice to students. He is an active researcher and consultant to industry who pays attention to the incorporation of recent developments in his field.

The awards recognise and promote excellence and innovation in engineering education. At a time when, in many universities, teaching is under-valued relative to research, the awards provide vital recognition and reward. They are a concrete means of fostering continual improvement in the engineering education system.