Teaching Matters

The University of Sydney has many functions in Australian society, but of these functions teaching is the most visible. The primary aim of teaching at the University is to facilitate student learning. On this basis teaching is taken to mean helping students to learn, and it is not simply a range of activities undertaken by teachers.

The following elements contribute to the student learning experience and are hence indicators of outstanding teaching:

• students' prior knowledge has been ascertained
• students are told what they are expected to learn
• students are given the context and rationale for learning
• students interest is evoked and sustained
• students experience teaching methods which are appropriate to the context and goals of learning
• students are encouraged to undertake active learning
• student diversity is seen to be valued
• students are encouraged to build new knowledge on existing structures
• students are given examples of how knowledge is applied
• students are given opportunities to test their new knowledge
• students are aware of other resources for learning (e.g. library, electronic)
• students are given a summary of what has been delivered
• students are supported in the progressive assumption of responsibility for their own learning

The student experience is increased when teachers demonstrate the following attributes:

• teachers attend punctually for scheduled teaching sessions
• teachers are audible and legible
• teacher's explanations are clear
• teachers relate the subject matter to the overall objectives of the course or Unit of Study
• teachers display knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject matter
• teachers encourage interaction and dialogue between students and the teacher
• teachers ensure the content is neither too great nor too sparse for the time allocated
• teachers provide opportunities for questions to be asked and answered in real time
• teachers are familiar and competent in the use of audio-visual and information and communication technology
• teachers provide supplementary written materials at the beginning of the relevant session
• teachers alert students to additional study resources
• teachers value contributions to class interactions from students of diverse backgrounds
• teachers ensure that students do not experience discrimination or harrassment on any basis
• teachers respect the privacy of student confidences

Evaluation is an essential part of the quality enhancement of teaching:

• The University, Faculties, Course and Unit Coordinators, and individual teachers are proactive in soliciting information through which to evaluate the quality of their respective contributions to the educational experiences offered by the University.

Student feedback is actively solicited and acted upon as an important contribution to the quality enhancement of teaching:

• Student feedback on all aspects of teaching and assessment is solicited through a program of regular, systematic and methodologically sound collection of student evaluation questionnaires, followed by analysis, interpretation and, where appropriate, publication of the analysis and interpretation of the data, and reporting on the actions arising from it.

Students have input to the teaching evaluation cycle:

• Students participate in the evaluation, review and development of courses and Units of Study.

Outstanding teaching is valued and rewarded at the University of Sydney.

Teaching is one of the Criteria for Academic Promotion. To be promoted, a staff member must demonstrate sustained achievement at the current level of appointment and the capacity to perform at the level to which they are seeking promotion.

The University also has a suite of Awards for Outstanding Teaching.