STUDY LINK News
- ALTC award for Programs that Enhance Learning
- STUDY LINK receives ALTC citation
- A VC Award Winner
- External Evaluation
ALTC award for Programs that Enhance Learning
The immediate past Manager of STUDY LINK, Liz Smith and her dedicated, hard working staff are justifiably proud of their achievement in gaining an Australian Award for University Teaching in 2009.
As Professor Richard Johnstone said in his address, “The awards celebrate the exceptional effort made by university teachers and general staff to improve the student experience of Australian higher education”.
The presentation of this award is an acknowledgment of the commitment, the dedication and the expertise of the staff who have contributed to the success of STUDY LINK. Indeed, the Award is a fitting response to the considerable efforts of all of the staff involved. Certainly it has been the contribution of the whole team, the learning skills advisors and support staff, who have made this program such a success. The program must now be one of the most valuable assets on the Charles Sturt University campus. STUDY LINK has been acclaimed by the students who engage with it as being a wonderful support for their endeavours, and that commendation has now been acknowledgedat the very highest level, by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.
STUDY LINK receives ALTC citation
The STUDY LINK team has won a prestigious citation from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.
Citations are awarded to academic and professional staff who have made long-standing contributions to the quality of student learning and improving the overall student experience.
Professor Richard Johnstone, ALTC Executive Director, said the citations reveal the tremendous commitment in the higher education sector to improving the student experience.
“The quality and quantity of applications received represent the incredible effort made by university staff Australia-wide to contribute to a positive learning experience for every student,” Professor Johnstone said.
The award was presented on 11 August 2009 at the NSW Art Gallery, Sydney.
A VC Award Winner
The inaugural winners of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Programs that Enhance Learning for 2008 has been won by the team from the Division of Students Services. Their award-winning program, titled "STUDY LINK – preparation for University study" is a nationally recognised enabling program which has demonstrated a sustained capacity to deliver significant outcomes for students of Charles Sturt University in terms of a positive student experience.
STUDY LINK has been running for over a decade with in excess of 24,000 student enrolments to date. In addition to receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and commendations via external evaluation processes, STUDY LINK has been shown to have a positive effect on the student experience and academic progress rates.
External Evaluation
The STUDY LINK program is rigorously evaluated on a regular basis as part of the continuous improvement process. Student feedback at the end of each subject offering is used to review and improve each subject to ensure content continues to meet student needs.
In 2008, a consultant from the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching at Monash University was contracted to conduct an independent review of the STUDY LINK program. The final report 'An evaluative review of Charles Sturt University's STUDY LINK program' by Associate Professor Andrys Onsman was extremely positive. Excerpts from the report are as follows:
The Program
"There is little doubt that overall the STUDYLINK program is working well...the University and Student Services are to be warmly congratulated. " p. 68
"Any program that exists and grows for a decade is obviously doing something right! " p. 57
"The STUDY LINK subjects undoubtedly provide the students with a sound basis for undergraduate study." p.66
The Staff
"It must be noted that staff themselves are the major reason for the program's perceived success. Undoubtedly their hard work and commitment is appreciated by students...............they are dedicated, enthusiastic and very good at their jobs." p. 56
"Charles Sturt University is to be congratulated for implementing this effective program......more specifically the manager and teaching staff of STUDY LINK are to be highly commended for their dedication, expertise and operational skill. " p.73
Program outcomes
"Students consistently report that they have found STUDY LINK to be of value, that it has a positive impact both in terms of content and skills, and as a mechanism for instilling confidence. This is the highest commendation." p.68
For more information on the evaluative review, contact the STUDY LINK Program Coordinator email: studylink@csu.edu