ALIUS: Active Learning in University Science - Leading Change in Australian Science Teaching

Abstract

The ALIUS project is about leading change in the teaching of chemistry in large university classes. ALIUS is a collaboration of six Australian universities funded by an ALTC Leadership for Excellence in Learning and Teaching Grant (LE8-818). The aims of this project lie in three domains: • Development of project members as Science Learning Leaders • Development of the skills of project members in practice-based learning and teaching innovation • Creation of a virtual Learning Hub Methods being used to achieve these aims are: • Leadership- professional development in leadership specifically targeted at fostering change in academic teaching practice • Learning and Teaching Innovation - the U.S. NSF funded POGIL project will be used as a model for teaching innovation. Experienced POGIL instructors and facilitators brought from the U.S. run workshops and consultancies with ALIUS project members to build member skills in teaching innovation. • The learning hub (http://www.alius.edu.au/) will serve as a resource to share experiences in building teaching innovation, developed materials, resources about innovative teaching methods This presentation will report results and experiences of the project, including: • Experiences in implementing new teaching practices • Experiences in motivating changes in teaching practice of colleagues • Answers to uniquely Australian problems in implementation of POGIL style activities • Report on impact nationwide • Plans for next project