Lessons in innovation and compassion
Lessons in innovation and compassion
From ‘rewilding’ the classroom to easing the transition to university, two of our award-winning women academics are empowering students to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.
Their approach may differ, but visionary Monash Business School academics Dr Lisa Powell and Dr Jess Co share a commitment to cultivating a supportive and engaging learning environment.
The pair's outstanding contributions to teaching were acknowledged at the Universities Australia Solutions Summit in Canberra last month.
Dr Powell, recipient of the 2023 Award for Teaching Excellence, has transformed her accounting classroom using ‘rewilding’ – a form of conservation that decentralises human intervention.
Rewilding the accounting classroom
This novel methodology encourages students to develop a sustainable mindset rather than focusing solely on technical accounting skills.
“This involves shifting perceptions of what accounting is and the broader role of accounting in society,” Dr Powell said.
“Together with students, we explore the complexities and interconnections of accounting, society, the environment, and nonhuman species,” she said.
The cornerstone of her teaching practice is compassion.
“Compassion is fundamental to a sustainable mindset and in recognising and understanding the impacts of accounting decisions,” Dr Powell said.
“Students develop a sense of purpose and empowerment when they understand how they can contribute to creating sustainable futures.”
Dr Powell said the national recognition affirmed the importance of innovation – particularly in disciplines often considered conservative, such as accounting.
“For me, this award demonstrates the possibilities that emerge when integrating my own sense of purpose into my teaching practice,” she said.
“This award gives me greater confidence to continue down the path less travelled, building connections across disciplines and developing innovative ways to foster sustainable mindsets in future accounting and business professionals.”
The huge transition to university life
Dr Jess Co’s expertise lies in creating supportive learning environments for students overwhelmed by the transition to university life – a struggle she witnessed firsthand when taking the reins of the introductory management unit in 2018.
“I noticed a concerning amount of late submissions and requests for special consideration,” Dr Co said.
Her investigation revealed a hidden obstacle: students lacked coping skills, impacting their motivation and engagement and causing academic outcomes to suffer and drop-out rates to rise.
Determined to address the issue, Dr Co implemented a comprehensive support system.
This included readily accessible online resources, immediate feedback mechanisms, and engaging classroom activities - all designed to equip students with the necessary tools to thrive.
Her strategy, grounded in ‘transition pedagogy’, acknowledges the challenges first-year students face as they navigate the shift from a structured school environment to an independent university experience.
“By providing targeted support and enhancing coping skills by improving engagement, self-efficacy and creating a sense of belonging, I help empower students to navigate university life successfully,” Dr Co said.
She said receiving the Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning had inspired her to explore new possibilities.
“Receiving national recognition validates my commitment to innovate pedagogy and student-centred learning,” she said.
“It inspires me to explore cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence to personalise education, enhance student engagement, and foster deeper learning.”
LEARN MORE:
2020 Dean's Award for Technological Innovation - Celebrating Excellence Awards 2020