Dr. Robyn Gregson

• Biography
• Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
• Grants / Current Projects
• Awards and Recognition
• Selected Publications
• Community engagement
• Contact Details

Biography

I have been employed at the University of Western Sydney for 10 years. Prior to my appointment at UWS I taught Science, Maths and literacy in NSW primary and secondary schools. I completed a doctorate in science literacy in 2004 and have been teaching in Primary and Secondary Master’s Courses in science, literacy, pedagogy and special education. My research interests include engagement in science and scientific literacy. Of greatest significance Australian Federal Government report Motivation and engagement for boys: evidence based practices (2006) published on the DEST website. I collaborated with Dr. Marilyn Kell to develop and prepare a web based program that assists tertiary students with the successful preparation of assignments. I am currently editing two books on literacy and science education while continuing my work with schools and teachers to develop engaging programs of literacy and science.

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Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise

Scientific literacy, engagement in science, student motivation, action research, case studies.

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Grants / Current Projects

2008-2009 Discover Science at UWS $25k and $64k research project as chief investigator.

2005 Motivation and Engagement of Boys: Evidence-based Teaching Practices. A Report submitted to the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training. $365k

2003-2006 University Partner: Commonwealth Quality Teaching Program.

2002-2003 Nirimba Project in partnership with the DET and CEO.

Primary Connections is a DEST funded program (64k) the enhancement of the teaching of science and literacy in primary classrooms. My proposal, which was endorsed by the vice chancellor and DEST, has involved the selection of 40 students who attended workshops to assist them in developing and delivering exemplary science lessons. The outcomes of these lessons will be reflected on by the students and appraised for one of the 32 Federal Government Excellence in Science awards.

Get it! Write. GIW is a college funded project (10k) in which a 10 module website was developed with a colleague Dr. Marilyn Kell to improve the writing and referencing skills. It allows students to repeatedly visit each module as often as needed and is a point of reference for exploring writing skills. Both immediate and mid course feedback from students has been very positive. Professor Mike Horsley is currently reviewing GIW for patent by UWS and will be nominating it for a web design award later this year.

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Awards and Recognition

2008 The University of Western Sydney Partnership Excellence Award with the Department of Education Science and training for Primary Connections.

2005 The University of Western Sydney Partnership Excellence Award with the Department of Education and Training for Beyond the Line.

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Selected Publications

Journal Articles

Gregson, R.J. (2008) Overcoming barriers: Student use of a online writing and referencing guide. In P. Kell and G. Vogel Global Student Mobility in the Asia Pacific: Mobility, Migration and Security and Wellbeing of International students. Oxford University Press: London.

Kell, M. & Gregson, R. (2007). “Get it! Write” - Developing an online resource to aid student academic writing: A journey of discovery, International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 2(1), 1-9.

Gregson, R. & Kell, M. (2007). An academic problem: An online solution to a clash of cultures. In P. Kell & G. Vogel (Eds.). Higher Education in the Asia Pacific: Challenges for the future (pp.150-164). Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

White, A. L., & Gregson, R. (2005). UWS overseas professional experience program: Penang Malaysia. Square One, 15 (2), 17-19.

Gregson, R.J. (2005). Writing: Is it Important In Science Classroom? Journal of Science and Mathematics Education in Southeast Asia, 28 (1) June 2005

Watson, K. & Gregson R. (2004). “A dig at dinosaurs: real science education or not? Teaching Science Volume 50 (1) pp10-14

Book Chapters

Gregson, R. (2010). Overcoming barriers: Student use of an online writing and referencing guide. In P. Kell and G. Vogel ( Eds) Global Student Mobility in the Asia Pacific: Mobility, Migration, Security and Wellbeing of international students. Cambridge University Press (Accepted March 2008).

2007 Gregson, R.& Kell, M . An academic problem: An online solution to a clash of cultures. In P. Kell & G. Vogel (Eds.). Higher Education in the Asia Pacific: Challenges for the Future (pp150-164) Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

2006 Aubusson, P & Gregson, R.J. Self-study, Teacher-researcher and Action research. In P. Aubusson and S. Schuck (2006) Teacher learning and Development. The Netherlands; Springer

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Community Engagement

Beyond the Line is DET sponsored professional experience that provides opportunities for pre-service teachers to experience rural education but originally drew little interest at UWS. However since I have been co-ordinator is has grown significantly ( from 12 to 120) and in 2004 was approved as a teaching unit (100844) and was one of only 4 electives offered in the School of Education. In 2005 when 120 students were enrolled, BTL was the winner of the UWS partnership award for excellence in providing pre-service teachers with an opportunity to investigate and then experience rural education contexts

Beginning Teachers Forum began in 2006 as a community engagement activity to provide a forum for our alumni to explore issues in their early years of teaching. Fourth year and final year teaching students were also been invited. In 2007 I invited the Deputy Director General of Education, Mr Trevor Fletcher to be our keynote speaker. His talk was open, informative and as many emails to me have reported, inspiring.

Con-x-ion provides a teaching professional experience outside the classroom. UWS students work with small groups of science students who are preparing for Stage 6 examinations in a mentoring role.

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