Staff at the University of Divinity are invited to the Teaching Conference 2023.
Wednesday 8 November 2023
Hybrid conference with online and in-person (Box Hill) attendance options
In-person participation from St Paschal Campus, University of Divinity, 90 Albion Road, Box Hill VIC 3128.
Zoom links will be emailed to all conference participants 2 days prior to the event.
Update: Registrations have now closed.
Conference theme: Collaboration and Curriculum Design
The 2023 Teaching Conference will aim to be collaborative in its nature, to grow the teaching and learning community across the Colleges and Schools of the University. The theme is therefore Collaboration and Curriculum Design. The University of Divinity is reviewing the curriculum and assessment design of its courses and units in response to the recent development in the wider higher education sector and the future directions set by the University Executive and the University Council. The teaching and learning community is an important forum to discuss and make curriculum and assessment decisions in a collaborative and focused manner.
The 2023 Teaching Conference will show-case the UD’s scholarship strength in the teaching and learning sphere, and also activate the communities of scholarly practice across Colleges and Schools to redesign the future curriculum and assessment practices of the University.
What to bring
Electronic device with headphones (including microphone), and Zoom installed
The afternoon workshops will be held fully online, to enable equal interaction between all participants. If you are attending the conference in-person in Melbourne, you can choose to return home for the afternoon sessions (in which case you don’t need to bring anything), or to join the online sessions from a quiet spot in the St Paschal Campus, using your own device and headphones.
Conference times
View the table below to see conference start and end times in your local time zone.
VIC (AEDT) | SA (ACDT) | QLD (AEST) | WA (AWST) |
10am-5pm | 9:30am-4:30pm | 9am-4pm | 7am-2pm |
Schedule
Session title | VIC (AEDT) | SA (ACDT) | QLD (AEST) | WA (AWST) | Location |
Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country | 10:00am- 10:10am | 9:30am- 9:40am | 9:00am- 9:10am | 7:00am- 7:10am | Hybrid |
Showcase Paper 1: The Cracking of Christendom Team | 10:10am- 11:00am | 9:40am- 10:30am | 9:10am- 10:00am | 7:10am- 8:00am | Hybrid |
Morning tea break | 11:00am- 11:20am | 10:30am- 10:50am | 10:00am- 10:20am | 8:00am- 8:20am | |
Showcase Paper 2: Collaboration with AI in Curriculum Design | 11:20am- 11:45am | 10:50am- 11:15am | 10:20am- 10:45am | 8:20am- 8:45am | Hybrid |
Showcase Paper 3: ARK Showcase: designing better meta units for student learning | 11:50am- 12:15pm | 11:20am- 11:45am | 10:50am- 11:15am | 8:50am- 9:15am | Hybrid |
Introduction to the Core and Electives and setting up the Round Tables | 12:20pm- 12:40pm | 11:50am- 12:10pm | 11:20am- 11:40am | 9:20am- 9:40am | Hybrid |
Lunch break | 12:40pm- 2:10pm | 12:10pm- 1:40pm | 11:40am- 1:10pm | 9:40am- 11:10am | |
Round Table workshops A | 2:10pm- 3:00pm | 1:40pm- 2:30pm | 1:10pm- 2:00pm | 11:10am- 12:00pm | Online |
Round Table workshops B | 3:05pm- 3:55pm | 2:35pm- 3:25pm | 2:05pm- 2:55pm | 12:05pm- 12:55pm | Online |
Report back from Round Table workshops | 4:00pm- 5:00pm | 3:30pm- 4:30pm | 3:00pm- 4:00pm | 1:00pm- 2:00pm | Online |
Session information
Open each heading below to reveal more information including speakers, abstracts and details about how the session will be presented.
Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
Speaker
Professor Albert Haddad, Dean of Academic Programs and Interim Head of the School of Professional Practice
Mode of presentation
This session will be led in-person from the University Hall and livestreamed to online participants via Zoom.
Showcase Paper 1: The Cracking of Christendom Team
Speakers
- Rev Carolyn Francis teaches Baptist Identity and History at Whitley College
- Rev Assoc Prof Geoff Thompson teaches Systematic Theology at Pilgrim Theological College
- Rev Prof Glen O’Brien is Research Coordinator at Eva Burrows College and teaches History and Systematic Theology
- Prof Katharine Massam is Research Co-ordinator at Pilgrim Theological College and teaches History and Spirituality
- Dr Kerrie Handasyde teaches Church History at Pilgrim Theological College
- Rev Dr Matthew Beckmann teaches Systematic Theology and Church History at Yarra Theological Union
- Rev Dr Max Vodola is Associate Dean of Research at Catholic Theological College and teaches Church History
Abstract
The history and theology of the European Reformation(s) has typically been taught within confessional spaces that have, tacitly or otherwise, favoured particular doctrinal positions arising out of the sixteenth century. Over the last semester, we have brought together seven lecturers from five colleges, across traditional divides, to teach a combined CH/CT online/face-to-face unit that explores historical and theological understanding from multiple perspectives. This presentation will outline our experience of intercollegial, interdenominational, multi-perspectival teaching on this most contested topic. You will hear from a number of voices – both staff and students – on the value of imagination in the development of openness to dialogue. We will share how teaching practices, the good grace of the teaching team, and hospitality helped mend some potential ‘cracks’ among a complex cohort. We will discuss how we shared the teaching load and classroom spaces, and how we navigated structural impediments. Finally, you will hear us ponder aloud what we might do differently next time – because, if there’s one thing we have learned, it’s that there can be a next time and that collaboration can ensure that the whole is much more than the sum of its parts.
Mode of presentation
This session will be led in-person from the University Hall and livestreamed to online participants via Zoom.
Showcase Paper 2: Collaboration with AI in Curriculum Design
Speaker
Dr Cosimo Chiera
With over 20 years’ experience modelling complex data Dr Cosimo Chiera brings a wealth of technical vision with him in the areas of computation as well as mathematics. Currently, he is engaged with the Exploring AI in Education committee at Chisholm Institute. Dr Chiera is also a Tutor in the Counselling program at the University of Divinity.
Abstract
Through efficient leverage of Generative AI, staff can greatly reduce “drudge work” in course development thereby gain more time for collaboration with colleagues and external stakeholders. The cultivation of effective prompts was found to encourage interaction with colleagues and promote collaboration. The greatest time-effort savings was found to be in the generation of assignment questions, especially, multiple choice quizzes and providing the opportunity to create individualized assessment for students. This presentation delves into practical case studies at both vocational and tertiary-level course and curriculum development, harnessing the power of the Paired Programming with AI methodology. The presentation introduces innovative scripts designed to automate the generation of handbook entries based on instructional learning objectives (ILOs), the creation of course content rooted in predefined learning outcomes, and the development of multiple-choice questions complete with sample answers.
Mode of presentation
This session will be led by an online speaker and livestreamed to in-person participants in the hall via Zoom.
Showcase Paper 3: ARK Showcase: designing better meta units for student learning
Speakers
- Rohan Edmeades is Information Technology Manager at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor
- Adrian Jackson is Digital Support Developer at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and eLearning Facilitator at Pilgrim Theological College
- Dr Toar Hutagalung is Director of Theology and Church History at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology
Abstract
Good, accessible unit design on ARK creates a great learner experience, reduces cognitive overload, and minimises support overhead. Thomas Shuell wrote: “what the student does is actually more important in determining what is learned than what the teacher does” (Shuell, 1986, p. 429). This session will provide teaching staff with practical strategies to design meta units where students most effectively do the work that assists their learning.
Mode of presentation
This session will be led by a combination of in-person and online speakers. It will be livestreamed to online participants via Zoom.
Introduction to the Core and Electives and setting up the Round Tables
Speaker
Professor Albert Haddad, Dean of Academic Programs and Interim Head of the School of Professional Practice
Mode of presentation
This session will be led in-person from the University Hall and livestreamed to online participants via Zoom.
The lunch break is intentionally scheduled as an extra-long break to allow in-person participants to enjoy a meal break and time to travel to home/college (for those who live or work locally in Melbourne and prefer to participate in the afternoon session from home/college). Participants who prefer to stay onsite for the afternoon sessions will be able to join online from St Paschal campus.
Round table workshops on core and electives
Six discipline groups will facilitate round table discussions chaired by a discipline leader, using their own Zoom link (this will be provided to registrants of each group). Attendees can choose up to two discipline area groups.
These six area groups represent:
- Biblical Studies | Chair: Dr David Janssen
- History | Chair: Prof Katharine Massam
- Mission and Ministry | Chair: Rev Dr Christy Capper
- Philosophy | Chair: Prof Albert Haddad
- Spirituality | Chair: Dr Chris Morris
- Theology | Chair: Rev Dr Simon Wayte
Each Chair poses discussion questions or activities and invites responses from the participants. The Chair will present the combined conclusions from the 2 sessions back to the whole group at the end of the day (fully online session with UD zoom link).
Workshop core questions include:
- Discussions of what is considered core units in a discipline.
- Discussion on generic Unit Records that allow for ecumenical delivery and diverse perspectives.
- Agreements on a set of principles and actions.
Mode of presentation
These sessions are fully online. Please join the online discussions using your own device and headphones, to enable equal participation among all conference delegates.
Round Table workshops A
Choose one of: Biblical Studies, History, Mission and Ministry, Philosophy, Spirituality, Theology
Mode of presentation
This session is fully online.
Round Table workshops B
Choose one of: Biblical Studies, History, Mission and Ministry, Philosophy, Spirituality, Theology
Mode of presentation
This session is fully online.
Report back from Round Table workshops
The Chairs of each disciplinary group will report back on discussions.
Mode of presentation
This session is fully online.
How to register
Registrations closed at 11:59pm AEDT on Monday 5 November.