Information for Staff
Customised in-faculty Seminars
The Learning Centre collaborates with individual Schools and Faculties to offer short programs and one-off seminars on specified academic skills and strategies (e.g. literature reviews, candidacy proposals, dissertation writing). These programs can be arranged to run for groups of 10 or more students at times convenient to them (including in the evening and at week-ends).
Professional Communication Seminars
In a competitive environment, skilful professional writing can make a difference between winning and losing research grants, project funding, and promotions. The Learning Centre offers free small-group customised seminars to staff on all aspects of writing, communication, and language, as requested.
Resources for Staff
The Learning Centre provides information, support materials, and classroom strategies that address the educational challenges of working with a highly diverse student population. Staff are also welcome to contact the Centre to discuss their students’ learning support needs.
Referral Process
How to Refer a Student to The Learning Centre
The Learning Centre, situated under the Library in 105.150, offers free seminars, workshops, and advice to undergraduate and postgraduate students throughout their time at Curtin. Centre staff are also available for consultation with supervisors, course coordinators, and lecturers regarding their students’ academic learning skills.
TLC programs are proactive, preparing students for academic success by developing their learning skills and self-management techniques. These seminars are free, voluntary, and available to all Curtin students.
Individual tutorial consultation
For the majority of students, attendance at TLC’s seminars leads to improvement in academic performance; some students, however, need follow-up assistance and reinforcement of what they have learned in the seminars. For this reason, TLC lecturers offer one-hour individual tutorial consultations to students who have attended five two-hour seminars and are referred by their supervisor, course co-ordinator, or one of their lecturers.
Referral procedure
For students who request individual tutorial consultation, the procedure is as follows:
- They need to enrol in and attend 5 two-hour seminars suitable for their needs. Information about these seminars can be downloaded from www.learningcentre.curtin.edu.au and students may enrol on-line.
- Students should then ask their supervisor, course co-ordinator, or lecturer to email Associate Professor Jeanne Dawson (Head, The Learning Centre) at j.s.dawson@curtin.edu.au to arrange for an individual tutorial consultation.
- The Learning Centre will acknowledge all initial referrals and confirm attendance.
- Supervisors and lecturers are encouraged to liaise with The Learning Centre in developing ongoing learning support plans for referred students.
- Individual consultations will be limited to 3 each semester; for further consultations referring supervisors or lecturers need to contact The Learning Centre to discuss ongoing support for students.
Referral exceptions
Normally, students requesting individual support will be required to first attend TLC seminars. However, supervisors, course coordinators, or lecturers who feel a student is at particular academic risk but has not yet attended seminars should contact The Learning Centre to discuss appropriate immediate support for the student.
Productive partnerships
The Learning Centre is a resource for all Curtin students. In partnership with supervisors, course co-ordinators, and lecturers, The Learning Centre team can make a positive difference to students’ academic performance. They welcome opportunities for closer collaboration with their colleagues in the Faculties through discussion, provision of resource material, and delivery of customised 'in-faculty' seminars.
