ATN Assessment Conference key notes

KEYNOTES

UniSA are pleased to announce that the keynote speakers at the 2008 Assessment conference are

Professor John Biggs and Dr. Catherine Tang

Professor John Biggs is Honorary Professor of Psychology, and Adjunct Professor, Centre for Teaching and Learning, both at the University of Hong Kong. After graduating in Psychology from the University of Tasmania in 1957, John went to England to peruse postgraduate study. After a year of school teaching in Luton, he carried out research into methods of teaching arithmetic at the National Foundation for Educational Research, London, leading to his doctoral thesis (Birkbeck College, University of London, 1963). Hence the thrust of his subsequent academic career has been attempting to establish the link between psychological theory and educational practice.

John has written fourteen books, edited six, and published approximately two hundred articles. John Biggs has held Chairs in Education in Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong. He has published extensively on student learning and the implications of his research for teaching. His concept of constructive alignment, a form of outcomes-based education, is outlined in Teaching for Quality Learning in University (McGraw-Hill/Open University Press). The third edition is co-authored with Catherine Tang, based on their experience in implementing constructive alignment in several universities in Hong Kong. Post-retirement, John is exercising his right hemisphere by publishing fiction.
E-mail: jbiggs@bigpond.com

Dr Catherine Tang was the former Head of staff development centres at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Her main interest is student learning, with a particular focus on enhancing teaching and learning through constructive alignment, and the implications to staff development. She is the co-author of the 3rd edition of “Teaching for quality learning at university” with John Biggs. Catherine Tang has conducted a large number of workshops and seminars on student assessment. She is currently an educational consultant based in Australia and is consultant to several universities in Hong Kong on implementing constructive alignment in teaching and assessment.
E-mail: ckctang@bigpond.com

Professor Sally Brown, PVC Assessment, Teaching & Learning, from Leeds Metropolitan University.

Professor Sally Brown is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Assessment, Learning and Teaching) and Professor of Higher Education Diversity in Teaching and Learning at Leeds Metropolitan University. Originally trained as a classroom teacher of English and therapeutic drama, she was previously Director of Membership Services for the Institute for Learning and Teaching (now merged into the Higher Education Academy). Prior to that she worked at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle for almost 20 years as a lecturer, study-skills practitioner, educational developer and Head of Quality Enhancement. Growing from her commitment to student learning, Sally has co-written or co-edited more than thirty books and is an enthusiastic keynote speaker in the UK and internationally on innovative teaching approaches, inclusivity and especially assessment.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sally’s keynote will be delivered virtually.

E-mail: S.Brown@leedsmet.ac.uk

You can find out more and interact with the keynotes through the conference blog.

ATNA08 is organised by the University of South Australia on behalf of the Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) Teaching and Learning Committee.