School of Education
Associate Professor Rod Francis
Associate Professor
PhD USyd, BAgrSc (Hons 1) USyd, DipEd STL
Associate Professor Rod Francis
Bio
Rod Francis is a former secondary teacher who teachers and researchers in the areas of Technology and Science Education. He has considerable experience in curriculum development, having been involved with the NSW Board of Studies curriculum committees for many years and Chief Examiner for the HSC in both Agriculture and Design and Technology. He has worked extensively with teachers across K-12 in professional development, retraining and action research contexts.
Rod’s research interests have focussed on developing models of teaching which create conceptual change and understanding with children.
He also has had a range of experiences working with teachers, students and researchers in Asian, Pacific and North American contexts.
Research
- Curriculum and Gender Equity in a Rural Agricultural Boarding School (DEET : $48,000)
- Impact of Tertiary Agricultural Degree Programs on Students (RIDIC: $ 100,000)
- Australian Quality Teaching Program : Collegial Support for Early Career Teachers (DEST : $20,000)
Teaching
- Design & Technology
- Curriculum Agriculture
- Curriculum Science
- Science & Technology
- Teaching & Learning
Professional Engagement
National Projects
- Better Teaching Practice and National Curricular Models for Secondary Agriculture (DEET funded)
- National Professional Development Project: Educating for Appropriate Technology (DEET Funded)
State Projects
- NSW DET: Evaluation of Video Conferencing for the Provision of Distance Education in Access Clusters
- DATTA/ETF funded Teacher Retraining Program for Technology Education for the NSW DET.
- Development Retraining programs for TAFE teachers into School Teachers
- Accelerated Teacher Training Program development for NSW DET: Industry into teaching programs
Local Projects
Design and Implementation of professional development program for Science and ` Technology K – 6
Other
- Chief Examiner for Board of Studies Agriculture
- Chief Examiner for Board of Studies Design and Technology
- Review panel HSC Agriculture:
- Review panel HSC Design and Technology: BOS