SQU conference discusses teaching methodology to maximise learning
A conference on teaching and learning ‘Reimagine Teaching to maximise student learning’ is under way at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).
Organised by the Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at SQU, the forum concludes on February 12.
The official opening of the conference was held at SQU conference hall under the patronage of H E Dr Hamad bin Said al Aufi, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The purpose of the conference is to exchange transformative research and innovative classroom practices that will lead to reimagine teaching to maximise student learning.
Scholarly evidence shows that active learning and redesigned learning spaces result in the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition, classroom-based research documents successful academic practices that enhance student learning.
CETL is organising the conference in partnership with the Risk Management Office at SQU.
The conference programme included pre-conference workshops on Sunday. The first day started with an opening ceremony followed by a keynote address and parallel presentation sessions. Alongside the conference, there are exhibitions of international publishers.
The conference is designed to foster partnerships among educational researchers and faculty focused on the education matrix: curriculum, teaching, student learning, learning space design, authentic assessment and SOTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning).
During his speech at the opening ceremony of the conference, Prof Amer al Rawas, SQU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Community
Service, said that the university has developed a tradition of regularly reviewing its practices in teaching and learning to make them meet current trends and developments in the area and make the teaching and learning environment at SQU an effective and successful one.
“SQU is very keen on the quality of teaching and learning and this is reflected in its strategic plans (2009–2013) and (20162040). In these strategic plans, the domain of teaching and learning has taken a priority in terms of strategic goals, strategies and initiatives, and in terms of appropriate actions that are implemented at the colleges and the Centre for Preparatory Studies (CPS),” he said.
Prof Rawas added that the current conference aims to reimagine teaching methodologies that maximise student learning in the university.