Janice Catterall, Head, Student Learning Unit
Building O, 2.10C, Kingswood Campus
University of Western Sydney
Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC NSW 1797
Tel: 02 4736 0847  Fax: 02 4736 0853
j.catterall@uws.edu.au

The Association for Academic Language and Learning (AALL) is a peak body for lecturers in the Student Learning Unit. AALL is a professional organisation for staff working to enhance the academic English and learning of students in higher education. AALL has a peer reviewed journal - the Journal of Academic Language and Learning (JALL). If you would like to learn more about AALL or JALL please access the website at www.aall.org.au.

Staff Contact Details

Student Learning Unit
Kingswood Campus, Building O, Rm. 2.06C
Tel: 02 4736 0850
Fax: 02 4736 0853
Email: slu@uws.edu.au

CAMPBELLTOWN CAMPUS - Building 16

Mathematics - Maureen Morris  m.morris@uws.edu.au

PARRAMATTA CAMPUS - Building EJD

Literacy - Claire Aitchison  c.aitchison@uws.edu.au (currently on leave)

Literacy - Dai Fei Yang  d.yang@uws.edu.au

Mathematics - John Nicholls  j.nicholls@uws.edu.au

PENRITH (Kingswood) CAMPUS - Building P

Literacy - Neera Handa  n.handa@uws.edu.au

Literacy - Clare Power  c.power@uws.edu.au

Mathematics - Lyn Armstrong  l.armstrong@uws.edu.au

PENRITH (Kingswood) CAMPUS - Building O

Head, SLU - Janice Catterall  j.catterall@uws.edu.au

Literacy - Erst Carmichael  e.carmichael@uws.edu.au

Literacy - Marie Fellbaum Korpi m.fellbaumkorpi@uws.edu.au

Literacy - Paul Parker  p.parker@uws.edu.au

Literacy - Dai Fei Yang  d.yang@uws.edu.au

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Staff Profiles

Dr. Claire Aitchison

Senior Lecturer (Postgraduate Literacies)
Student Learning Unit

Academic Background, Research and Publications
I began working at the University of Western Sydney in 1991 when I was first employed to help establish the social and academic support mechanisms for the new International Student Program at UWS Macarthur. Working with international students has remained a key focus of my work ever since. Over the years I have lectured in Education and Business and for the SLU. In recent years I have mostly worked with the Office of Research Services, the College of Business and the College of Health Sciences to deliver workshops and courses for research students on behalf of the SLU. I have participated in a number of research projects looking at transition experiences of students articulating into UWS from other institutions, the learning experiences of international students, and the impact of markets in education and the pedagogies of research writing. I have a particular interest in advanced academic literacy and the development of writing skills for the doctorate and beyond.

Academic background
2007 PhD, Education, University of Technology, Sydney
1988 M. Ed, University of Sydney
1980 B. Education, S.A.C.A.E.

Research interests
Research Writing
Transition of students from different educational backgrounds into university 
Pedagogy of research training
Effects of marketisation on education.

Publications
Lee, A. & Aitchison, C. (forthcoming) Writing for the doctorate and beyond Chapter in edited book by D. Boud and A. Lee Changing Practices of Doctoral Education Routledge: London

Aitchison, C. & Lee, A. (2006). Research writing: problems and pedagogies. Teaching in Higher Education 11 (3), 265-278

Aitchison, C., Catterall, J., Docket, S., Perry, B., (2006) Making it mainstream; engaging students who articulate from Voctional Education and Training (VET), Conference proceedings of the 9th Pacific Rom Conference, Griffithe University, Gold Coast

Aitchison, C. (2003). Thesis Writing Circles Hong Kong Journal of Applied Linguistics 8 (2), 97-115 

Aitchison, C. (2000). Learning centres: From calling the fixer to building a better product. Proceedings of the Language and Academic Skills Conference, La Trobe University. November, 2000

Ninnes, P. M., Kalos, S. & Aitchison, C. (2000). Dominant and Subjugated Knowledges in Indian Higher Education: A Preliminary Analysis. In G. R. Teasdale & Z. Ma Rhea (Eds) Local Wisdom, Global Knowledge: New Directions in Higher Education. Pergamon, Oxford

Ninnes, P. M., Aitchison, C. & Kalos, S. (1999). Challenges to Stereotypes of International Students Prior Educational Experience: Undergraduate Education in India. Higher Education Research and Development 18(3).

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Lyn Armstrong

This information will be updated soon.

Erst Carmichael

BA.(Hons), Dip. TEFL, Dip. Teach
Lecturer
Student Learning Unit

Academic Background, Research and Publications
I have been working as a Literacy and Learning lecturer for the Student Learning Unit at UWS since mid 1991, mostly part time at Kingswood campus, until early last year when I became a full time lecturer and moved to peaceful Hawkesbury campus. My main interests have been in the development of critical thinking for undergraduate students, and how this is demonstrated in their assignments. I have been involved with the Critical Thinking and Writing Network, who have produced various materials to encourage student critical thinking, as well as organised staff colloquia to discuss and debate this issue. I have also been very interested in the first year experience, and have been coordinating the Student Peer Mentor Program since 1999. This program provides small group support for new students in becoming "acculturated" into the university setting, as well as in developing their learning within a subject specific context, with the help of a more senior "peer mentor". Recently I handed over this role to other staff members and hope to work more with international and external students, while I also continue with the research activities for my Masters degree.

Academic background
B.A. (Hons)     Sydney University
Dip. TEFL       Sydney University
Dip. Teaching   Sydney Teachers College
Currently enrolled in M.Ed. (Hons) at UTS

Publications
Carmichael, E. (2001) Report on the Student Mentoring Program at UWS, 2000.

James, B., Scoufis, M., Farrell, H. & Carmichael, E. (1999) Unravelling the mysteries of critical thinking. [Video] Bendigo: Video Education Australasia.

Scoufis, M., James, B., Carmichael, E. & Farrell, H. (1999) On the track: critical thinking in assignment writing.  [CD Rom]. Bendigo: Video Australasia.

Carmichael, E., Craigie, D., Driscoll, K., Farrell, H., James, B. & Scoufis, M. (1998)  Critical Analysis - What is it? (2nd ed.)   Kingswood: UWS.

Carmichael, E. and the Critical Thinking and Writing Network (1998)  A.E.R. Critical Analysis Workbook.   Kingswood: UWS.

Carmichael, E. (1997)  Report on Telephone Survey of 1997 Principals' Recommendation Students at the University of Western Sydney, Nepean.

Carmichael, E., Fuller, J. & Waterford, M. (1982) Evaluation of N.S.W. Women's Refuges.  Department of Youth and Community Services.

Published conference papers
Carmichael, E., Craigie, D., Driscoll, K., Farrell, H., James, B. & Scoufis, M. (1994) Critical Analysis - Unmasking the Process ,  Conference  on Integrating Academic Discourse into the Disciplines, La Trobe University, Melbourne,  21 -22  November. 

Carmichael, E., Driscoll, K. & Farrell, H. (1995)  How to Get an A,   International Pacific Rim Conference: The First Year Experience, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 11 - 14 July.

Scoufis, M. & Carmichael, E. (1996)  Hook, Line and Critical Thinker,  HERDSA International Conference, Perth University, Perth, 9 - 12 July. 

Carmichael, E. & Farrell, H. (1997) Student Critical Thinking - Can it be left to Osmosis?   HERDSA  International Conference: Advancing International Perspectives, Adelaide, 8 - 11 July.

Carmichael, E. (2001) Critical thinking in environmental studies. "Breakthroughs: Ninth International Conference on Thinking", Auckland, 15th -19th January.

Carmichael, E. (2001) Student Identities in Times of Change,  Language and Academic Skills (LAS) Conference, 29 – 30 November.

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Janice Catterall

M.Ed, B. Ed, Dip. Teach
MA, Gdip TESOL, BA, Dip Ed
Ph.D. (Candidature)
Head
Student Learning Unit

Academic Background, Research and Publications
In the Student Learning Unit my main focus is on helping students to develop academic language skills in the context of their assessment work. I prefer to do this through working collaboratively with subject lecturers on assignment topics and through co-operatively developing and teaching materials that develop academic writing skills. I also assist students through workshops and individual consultations.

Academic background
Doctorate of Education (Current) University of Western Sydney
Master of Arts, Macquarie University
Graduate Diploma in TESOL, University of Technology, Sydney
Diploma of Education, NSW University
Bachelor of Arts, NSW University

Research interests
Academic literacy in higher education
Collaborative teaching partnerships
Scholarship of teaching
Academic staff development

Publication
Martins, R. & Catterall, J. (2002). Communication skills for students with academic credit: the highs and lows of one model. Proceedings of Communication Skills in University Education Conference, October 2002, University of NSW, Sydney.

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Neera Handa

M.A. TESOL, 
Graduate Dip. Adult Ed. (TESOL)
Overseas qualifications:
M. Phil. English, M.A. English,
B.A. Hons. (English)

Associate Lecturer in Learning Skills
Coordinator UWS Peer Mentoring Program
Student Learning Unit

Academic background and research interests
I have over 24 years experience in teaching English and academic literacy in Australia and overseas. As a Learning Skills lecturer, I support UWS students regarding their academic literacy issues and assist UWS academics in the development of academic skills in their students. I especially enjoy teaching critical literacy skills to students who are new to the university culture, whether these are local or international students. I work with staff and students from across the university.

Research interests

• Transition of students from different cultural and educational backgrounds into the Western academic culture; their lack of/need for critical analysis and the issue of plagiarism
• 
  Evaluation of existing teaching programmes and resources, as well as, my own practice
• Evaluation of Academic preparation programs for international studentsPublications & conference presentations

Handa, N. (2003) From Literature to literacy – personal reflections.  Language & Academic Skills in Higher Education (2004) Vol. 6. First presented at the LAS conference 2003, Adelaide, Flinders University.

Handa, N. & Power, C. (2003) Lack of Integrity or Lack of Skills, Indian Students and Plagiarism. Paper presented at The Academic Integrity conference, Adelaide, November 2003.

Handa, N. (2003). Improving the first year experience: making a difference. Poster presented at the FYIHE 2003 conference in Brisbane QUT.

Handa, N. (2004) Bridging programmes - An earnest effort to connect international students with their institute. Presentation - Roundtable discussion at the FYIHE 2004 conference, Melbourne, Monash University.

Handa, N. (2004). What else did I need to bring with me - international students and their dilemma. Refereed paper in conference proceedings. ISANA. December 2004 in Melbourne.

Farrell, H., Pastore, C., Handa, N. et al (2004). Initiating the battlers. Paper included in the conference proceedings. ISANA. December 2004 in Melbourne.

Power, C. & Handa, N. (2005). A web of interconnectedness: The implications of coordinating a peer mentoring program. Paper presented & included in the Biannual Language and Academic Skills (LAS) Conference proceedings. November 2005, Canberra.

Handa, N. & Fallon, W. (2005) . Taking the Mountain to Mohamed: Transitioning International Graduate Students into Higher Education in Australia. Paper presented at the 2nd Asia Pacific Academic Integrity Conference. December 2005 in Newcastle.

Fallon, W. & Handa, N. (2005). Giving international students a 'fair go': Academic preparation programs in Tourism & Hospitality. Refereed paper presented at the CAUTHE conference. December 2005, Melbourne.

Handa, N. & Power, C. (2005). Land and discover! A case study investigating the cultural context of plagiarism. Journal of Teaching and Learning JUTLP - 'Academic Integrity' issue, Vol. 2 Issue 3b, available online.

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John Nicholls

M.A, Grad Dip Ed, B. Engineering

Lecturer
Student Learning Unit

Academic Background, Research and Publications
I have been working full time at UWS since 1995 when I was employed to teach academic literacy and co-ordinate the Macstart academic preparation program for educationally disadvantaged mature aged students. I quickly saw a need to develop the program’s curriculum in numeracy and maths and have since produced a range of learning modules for the program. I also found a demand from undergraduate nursing students for numeracy support which has resulted in a close collaboration with nursing lecturers over the years. A research interest in nursing students’ mathematical ability has resulted. I currently provide maths and numeracy support and materials to students in a variety of subjects.

Academic background
1997 Master of Arts, Macquarie University – Functional linguistics, research methods, mathematics learning and sociology of education were areas of study.
1986 Graduate Diploma in Education, Catholic College of Education – Teaching of science, physics and algebra were areas of study
1980 Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

Research interests
Academic success of disadvantaged students entering university through Macstart program
Proportional reasoning in nursing undergraduates.
Algebra understanding

Publications
Nicholls, J. & Stewart, L. (In writing). Proportional reasoning in nursing undergraduates.

Adamczuk, S., Coffey, M., Flint, C., Nicholls, J., Perriott, J., & Stewart, L. (2000). Self directed mathematics learning booklet for beginning health professionals. School of Nursing and Learning Centre, University of Western Sydney.

Nicholls, J. (1999).  Understanding variables and equations: A set of guided exercises. Learning Centre, University of Western Sydney, Macarthur.

Nicholls, J. (1998). An investigation of the effectiveness of the Macstart tertiary preparation program in preparing educationally disadvantaged students for undergraduate study. Proceedings of the 3rd Pacific Rim conference (Vol. 1), Auckland, New Zealand: Program Committee.

Nicholls, J. (1997). The development of shared meaning between student and teacher of the concept of a variable: A case study. MANSW Annual Conference, Canberra, Australia.

Other interests
Singing, playing clarinet and piano, performing.

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Paul Parker

BA (Hons),
Grad. Dip. TESOL,
MA Language & Literacy

Lecturer
Student Learning Unit

Academic Background, Research and Publications
I have been assisting students at UWS with their academic literacy needs since 1999. An important part of this work has been to support students making the transition to university. The modes of writing and communicating at university may initially be foreign to new students. Learning skills lecturers like myself provide consultations, tutorials and workshops to help ‘demystify' the academic culture and teach the kind of reading, writing and oral skills essential for success in assignments. Areas of particular interest to me include the development of students' skills in argument and the critical analysis of evidence, as well the cultural and linguistic influences on academic learning experienced by students for whom English is a second or other language.

Academic background
2003     MA Language & Literacy, UTS, Faculty of Education
2001     Grad Dip TESOL, UTS, Faculty of Education
1997     BA (Hons) Class I, UWS, Faculty of Social Inquiry/ Humanities
1995     BA, Art History, Faculty of Arts, University of Queensland

Research interests
The transition to university and the university in transition.
Variations in ‘scholarly' discourses and practices across academic disciplines and fields.
Sociopolitics of TESOL and EAP in higher education.
Critical literacies and pedagogies in higher education.

Publications
Parker, P. (2003). In your ‘own' words: Learning advisers on student difficulties with avoiding plagiarism during the transition to university. Proceedings of the 7th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference, QUT, Brisbane, 9-11 July 2003.

Tayebjee, F. Gamble, N., Mackie, B. and Parker, P. (2004). Supporting cooperative education students. Paper presented at The 5th Asia Pacific Cooperative Education Conference: Learning Partnerships in the Global Classroom, Auckland, New Zealand, 1-3 December 2004.

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Clare Power

M.A. Language and Literacy, B.A. Dip.Ed.

Associate Lecturer
Student Learning Unit

Academic Background and Research Interests
I have worked for the Student Learning Unit for 3 years and as a fulltime staff member since 2002. Prior to working here I taught Literacy and ESL in the TAFE sector. I am particularly interested in assisting students to feel empowered in their University studies and able to competently negotiate the range of genres expected of them. From Semester 2, 2003 I will be Peer Mentor Co-ordinator for Penrith, Hawkesbury and Blacktown campuses. I am also sharing co-ordination of the UniStep program. In addition, I conduct Spoken English classes and generic academic skills workshops and see students for individual consultations. Another area of interest is working with other academic staff to incorporate academic skills into undergraduate subjects.

Academic background
2002 MA Language and Literacy UTS
1990 Diploma of Education University of New England
1988 Bachelor of Arts University of New England

Research interests
I have many research interests but am currently keen to focus on enhancing the 1st year experience for both local and International students . This includes looking at issues of preparation/ transition for both school leavers and mature age students and the development of academic skills in the first year.

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Dai Fei Yang

MA TESOL (Syd), BA Lit, GCert Multimedia

Associate Lecturer (Online Learning)
Student Learning Unit

Academic Background, Research and Publications
I joined the Student Learning Unit (SLU) in September 2002. At Parramatta Campus, I help students with their academic studies through workshops and individual consultations. An important part of my work also involves developing online learning resources and services to support students' learning at UWS.

My particular interest is in helping students develop online learning strategies and skills in order to enhance and enrich their learning experience at UWS. I get a lot of enjoyment from helping students from a diversity of cultural and educational backgrounds.

Prior to joining UWS I worked for the Adult Migrant English Services, NSW for 10 years and 5 years as Education Co-ordinator at UWS English Language Centre (UWSELC).

Academic background
Current: doctoral study, Faculty of Education and Social Work, Sydney University. Research topic: Improving Networked Learning in Higher Education: language function and design patterns.
2000 Graduate Certificate in Multimedia and Online Learning, Charles Sturt University.
1986 Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL), University of Sydney.
1982 Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature, South China Normal University, China.
Research interests

Academic and multimodal literacy in higher education
SFL, genre theory and multimodal discourse analysis
Text/image relationship in multimodal texts
Web site design principles and multimedia integration
Networked learning and educational design in higher education
Pattern language and design patterns
Professional writings and conference presentations

Yang, D. F. (2005) Multimodality: three levels of image analysis in meaning-making. Paper presented at the European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference and Workshop, 17th Meeting, 1st-4th August, 2005, King's College London, UK

Yang, D.F., & Goodyear, P. (2004) Pattern languages and genres for writing computer science discourse. In C.R. Atkinson, McBeath, D. Jonas-Dwyer & R. Phillips (Ed.), Beyond the comfort zone: proceedings of the 21st ASCILITE Conference (pp. 339-347). Perth, 5-8 December. http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/perth04/procs/yang.html

Yang, D. F. (2003) How can learning and academic skills advisers effectively assist students online? Round table discussion paper presented at the Language & Academic Skills in Higher Education National Conference 2003, 24-25 November 2003, Flinders University.

2002 AMEP conference workshop co-presenter: Digital mode: a new dimention in language teaching and learning

2000 Project Coordinator
UWSELC Recipes for Peace CD Rom and cookbook
A grant project for International Peace 2000, sponsored by the Liverpool Council and UWSELC

1997 Co-writer
Advanced Communication: Report Writing -Training module, Training Development Unit, NSW Department of Juvenile Justice

1996  Author
I Can Say It - a course book written within the Australian context for English beginners (unpublished)

1996 Author
Basic English Vocabulary - a workbook for students with literacy needs (unpublished)

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