Issues, trends and challenges within the higher education sector will be the focus of a four-day conference to be hosted by Charles Darwin University (CDU).
The conference, the largest higher education teaching and learning forum in Australasia, is the 32nd annual conference in the society's prestigious series, attracting people from around the world.
The theme, The Student Experience, will be explored by keynote speakers Professor George Kuh from the USA, Professor Elizabeth Harman from Victoria University, and Professor Ron Oliver from Edith Cowan University.
Keynote presentations will explore aspects of this theme including:
• Activities and programs that improve student engagement and retention;
• Customising student learning experiences for a diverse student population; and
• A showcase of ways to use technology to engage and motivate distance learners.
As well as hosting the conference, CDU will have a large contingent of noted teaching and learning scholars attending.
Conference convenor, Janet Sincock said that all areas of the student experience would be covered through paper, showcase, workshop and poster contributions.
“The conference will encourage wide ranging debate and will include social activities where participants can continue discussion with colleagues across the conference community,” she said.
With more than 300 registrants from around Australia and overseas, the conference program will include up to 10 parallel sessions across the four days, with 65 papers being presented (all refereed and to be published in a research proceedings for the conference), 116 showcase papers, 19 workshops and 24 poster presentations.
The 2009 HERDSA Conference will be held on CDU’s Casuarina campus from 6-9 July.
For more information contact conference convenor, Janet Sincock at herdsa2009@cdu.edu.au.