Monday, July 7, 2025

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

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Overview

This workshop is scheduled to commence at 9:30am

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Details

Facilitators Dr Nicole Reinke, University of the Sunshine Coast Dr Stuart Schonell, University of Western Australia Abigail Lewis, Edith Cowan University Mr Robert Kennelly, University of Canberra Dr Gesa Ruge, Curtin University (Maximum participants 30) The fee for this workshop is partially subsidised by HERDSA as a benefit to members. Aim ‘Talking about Teaching and Learning’ (TATAL) workshops create a safe, trusting, respectful space for cohorts of reflective practitioners to meet and advance their sense of learning and teaching enquiry, and to develop a teaching philosophy. Focus Establish a safe collaborative environment in which to investigate the challenges and successes of teaching and learning. Enhance skills and confidence in talking and writing about teaching and learning. Begin to articulate a personal teaching philosophy. Overview The TATAL experience begins online, continues at the conference workshop, and carries on post-conference through synchronous collaborative sessions, with a view to improving practice, by peer mentoring and support. Intended Audience Anyone who teaches others (e.g. academics, learning designers) and who seeks time and the support of like-minded others to develop an in-depth awareness of their teaching practice. Context This 14th TATAL workshop supports HERDSA’s aim to ‘facilitate and promote the enhancement of teaching and learning on an ongoing basis’. Activities Before the conference (from Monday 23rd June, 2025) participants will complete on-line modules with content, discussions, and guided free-writing. During the pre-conference workshop (9.30am – 4.00pm on Monday 7th July, 2025) TATALers continue exploring teaching practices and begin constructing their teaching philosophy. During the TATAL conference breakfast meeting (Wednesday 9th July, 2025) participants will meet experienced TATALers and may join a TATAL group. Post-conference, participants may continue their mentored collaborative reflection in ongoing TATAL groups. Each workshop activity builds on the previous, to support the participants’ reflections and ongoing development. Engagement TATALers will engage in individual and small group activities including free writing, discussion, reflective conversations, and construction of their teaching philosophy. Justification TATAL addresses the overall conference theme, Shaping Education: Past, Present, Future as well as Professional Learning for Changing Academic Practices. The workshop provides a forum to advance teaching practice by building on past research, engaging with contemporary pedagogies, practices, and fostering innovative collaborations. The workshop increases educators’ resilience and understanding of teaching practice. By sharing their knowledge and collaboratively reflecting, participants contribute to each other’s professional learning and development (Scott et al., 2022). Good teaching takes time and commitment, which resonates strongly in the literature (McCormack & Kennelly, 2011). TATAL offers an opportunity for time-poor academics to devote time towards their professional growth.