The UTS Learning and Teaching Awards and Citations recognise the importance and excellence of learning and teaching for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. In 2009, Citations were added as another category of recognition in specialised, innovative and positive teaching and learning impacts enhancing UTS student engagement and experience.
Michelle Kelly, Kevin Kellehear and Fiona Orr
Each year approximately 10 UTS Learning and Teaching Citations are awarded to individuals or teams for their significant and sustained contributions to student learning. The three outstanding recipients in the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health to receive a UTS Citation Award for 2009 were Michelle Kelly, Fiona Orr and Kevin Kellehear.
Michelle Kelly's major contribution in enhancing education at UTS has been in the development and implementation of clinical simulation learning experiences in both the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery programs and within some postgraduate nursing subjects. As the Director of Simulation and Technologies, Michelle has advised on the design of the new simulation and clinical practice laboratories at both City and Kuring-Gai campuses, mentored academic and technical staff in the use of specialised simulation equipment and developed a short course on "Getting Started With Health Care Simulations" for other educators. Her work on authentic, team-based clinical simulations as an innovative teaching and learning strategy has not only motivated and inspired students but also improves students’ confidence, clinical judgement and enhances practical learning experiences required before entering employment in the health profession. Michelle’s involvement with the professional simulation groups in Australia and internationally ensures that UTS simulation experiences are based on contemporary best practices in this innovative area of learning.
As a joint team, Fiona Orr and Kevin Kellehear's contributions to educational development at UTS, has been achieved through the preparation of significant teaching and learning activities such as voice hearing simulation workshops for final year students in the mental health nursing sub-major. This innovative teaching and learning strategy through voice hearing simulation has successfully developed, strengthened and engaged students with near to the real life experiences of consumers of mental health services who hear voices, resulting in positive changes in students' awareness, conceptual development and ultimately subject satisfaction.
The voice hearing simulation workshop was first introduced to the subject in 2008, from a small Learning and Teaching Improvement Grant. Since then, this project has successfully developed as a sustainable and useful teaching tool in mental health nursing subjects. Recently, in 2010, Fiona Orr and Kevin Kellehear’s collaborative team, which includes two consumer consultant educators/service development specialists, Arana Pearson and Douglas Holmes, has been awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Teaching and Learning Grant to implement Phase II of the voice hearing workshop, which will assist students to develop their communication and assessment skills when working with consumers who are voice hearers. In turn, this teaching and learning strategy enables and prepares graduate work ready nurses for mental health care practice.
Michelle Kelly, Fiona Orr and Kevin Kellehear will receive their prestigious award at the April 2010 graduation ceremony at UTS.
