Doctor Margaret Dowrick

• Biography
• Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
• Awards and Recognition
• Publications
• Contact Details

Biography

Margaret has worked in schools and centres attended by pupils with special needs for over 30 years. In the past 15 years, she has undertaken tertiary teaching duties at UWS. Margaret has taught children in early childhood, primary and secondary settings as well as in units for adults with disabilities. Her teaching experience has been gained in both interstate and international capacities.

In 1995, Margaret joined the staff at UWS and has been responsible for teaching in undergraduate and post-graduate courses. For many years she has co-ordinated mandatory units in special education in both early childhood and primary programs. She also teaches in the secondary mandatory unit at UWS.

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Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise

Inclusion; effective teaching practices; assessing and programming; improving educational programs for pupils with disabilities; conductive education.

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Awards and Recognition

2005: Doctor of Education obtained at UWS. Thesis titled " A multi-attribute evaluation of educational outcomes for students who attend three Australian special schools".

1996: Recipient of an Large ARC Fellowship award to undertake Doctorial Studies.

1995: Master of Education obtained at USQ, Queensland. Thesis title "Conductive Education in Queensland: An investigation into relevance and implementation".

1995: Australian College of Education Post Graduate Research Award, presented at Graduation ceremony at USQ.

1995: Dean’s Commendation Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, presented at Graduation ceremony at USQ.

1978: Australian-Hungarian Scholarship which enabled her to study for four months at the Peto Institute in Budapest, Hungary. Margaret had the privilege of being the first Australian to study at this institute

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Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Bailey, J., & Dowrick, M. (2001). 'Teacher morale in special schools.' Special Education Perspectives, 10(1), 15-28.

Dowrick, M. (2004). 'Learning outcomes for students in special schools of school leaving age: A preliminary study of stakeholders’ perceptions.' Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 29(4), 293-305.

Dowrick, M. (2002). 'A model for assessing learning outcomes for Australian students in special schools.' British Journal of Special Education, 29(4), 187-192.

Dowrick, M. (2001). 'Educators, parents, students and researchers: Different voices but common agenda'. Special Education Perspectives, 10(2), 24-36.

Dowrick, M. (1993). 'Integration is on our Queensland doorstep: What must be done before the door is opened.' Occasional Papers, Volume 1: Centre for Educational Research and Development: Faculty of Education, USQ.

Dowrick, M. (1993). 'Conductive Education in Australia: An investigation.' Australasian Journal of Special Education, 17(2), 42-50.

Stephenson, J. & Dowrick, M. (2005). 'Parents’ perspectives on the communication skills of their children with severe disabilities.' Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 30(2), 75-85.

Stephenson, J., & Dowrick, M. (2000). 'Parental priorities in the communication programming of students with intellectual disabilities.' Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, 35(1), 25-35.

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