Learning and Teaching
An Overview
Macquarie's motto, 'and gladly teche', is taken from the portrait of a medieval university academic in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The portrait epitomises both the centrality of teaching to the work of the university and the scholar-teacher's personal commitment to learning. Moreover, this joint undertaking is pursued 'gladly', a word that signifies not only 'with pleasure', but in Middle English 'as a habit'.
The habit of learning leads to the pleasure of teaching, and the pleasure of learning leads to the habit of teaching. This is a sentiment we want to reflect in our Learning and Teaching Plan, which sets the corporate direction for learning and teaching at Macquarie for the next five years.
Our learning and teaching values
We have established a new set of learning and teaching values, principles and priorities. These include conducting ourselves ethically, and with honesty, integrity and objectivity; valuing difference and being tolerant; and by promoting diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusiveness.
We take a scholarly approach to teaching which is characterised by passion and leadership, critical thinking and analysis, academic freedom and collegiality, and intellectual integrity.
Lifelong learners
Macquarie offers programs that have intellectual rigour, are firmly based on research, and are relevant to twenty-first century challenges. Just as today's global problems require multi-disciplinary solutions, so our students need to understand the interaction between disciplines. Our students develop a comprehensive range of generic, analytical and critical skills as autonomous and independent learners.
Macquarie graduates will be lifelong learners, with the skills and competencies to succeed in the dynamic and changing world of work. They are capable of engaging in local and global communities with energy and integrity.
Innovative methods
Our programs and practices encourage research-inspired learning and teaching. They are a framework that supports student interaction with high quality researchers as well as an involvement in research. This same framework enhances learning opportunities through the integration of information and communication technologies.
We actively recruit non-traditional students and utilise non-traditional pathways and second-chance learning opportunities. We have numerous initiatives that internationalise the student experience and curriculum.
World-class teaching
World-class graduates require world-class teachers and we have teachers who are the best in their respective fields. This has been recognised nationally through the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Awards. In both 2007 and 2008 Macquarie had seven Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning and in both years two of our most outstanding teachers received Awards for Teaching Excellence.
Our New Undergraduate Curriculum
In early 2008 we embarked upon an ambitious reorganisation of Macquarie's academic structure which will strengthen our learning, teaching and research focus. The restructure has involved significant simplification of our organisation, with nine divisions now replaced by four faculties – Arts, Business and Economics, Human Sciences and Science. This new structure will commence with the 2009 academic year.
Complementing the academic restructure is a renewal of our undergraduate curriculum which will enhance the learning experience at Macquarie and improve graduate outcomes. Our new curriculum is future oriented, focusing on what it is that future generations of students will require to become successful global citizens.
World-ready graduates
Macquarie graduates will be lifelong learners, with the skills and competencies to succeed in the dynamic and changing world of work. All students will undertake study in the '3Ps' of Planet, People and Participation. Every student of every degree will undertake a unit of study in science, in humanities, and in some form of learning or participation outside the university - in study abroad, internships, or community engagement. Social responsibility, discipline, competency, and the valuing of social justice and ethical practice will be capabilities expected of Macquarie graduates.
Our Learning and Teaching Plans and Support
For more information about Learning and Teaching at Macquarie University, please visit the web sites of the: