Academy members establish think tank

Following the Ako Aotearoa symposium in Wellington, a group of award winners from Massey University held an informal meeting to discuss a suggestion made by our Vice-Chancellor, Steve Maharey, about the formation of a Teaching Think Tank. We then met with the Vice Chancellor in November and it was decided that in 2009, a half day meeting of the Think Tank members would be held. The Think Tank will be comprised of Massey tertiary teaching award winners - both university and national awardees. The purpose in the forum will be to discuss:

1. How can staff at Massey offer an exceptional and distinctive learning experience at our university in the 21st century?

2. What opportunities and challenges are facing current teaching staff?

3. What roles should the Teaching Think Tank group play in enhancing the profile and quality of teaching at Massey?

All university and national awardees, members of the Teaching and Learning Committee, the Acting Assistant Vice Chancellor Academic, Centre for Academic Development and e-Learning (CADeL) staff, education representatives from Massey University Student Association and the Extramural Students Society, and the Vice Chancellor will be invited to take part.

We are hopeful that the Think Tank will be a vehicle for contributing to policy development within the University and become a useful resource. In regards to policy, we see two key areas of potential influence:

Promotion criteria: to ensure that contribution to teaching and learning is adequately considered/recognised/rewarded.

Performance Review Plans (PRPs): to ensure line managers 1) encourage their staff to provide high quality learning experiences for students, and 2) guide staff to build teaching development into their career plans

We would also like to develop a mentoring programme and perhaps assist with programme development and review … but these ideas will no doubt be shaped and changed in 2009.

We believe it is important that the Think Tank develops key roles, relationships and responsibilities, in consultation with all awardees, in order to have a real presence and influence within the University. It will be exciting to watch this development!

See how Massey highlights their award winners