Capturing the Wisdom of Practice

Capturing the Wisdom of Practice: Professional Portfolios for Teachers

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

25 September 2023

Campus

Launceston

Citizenship requirement

Domestic / International

About the research project

Portfolios enable educators to improve upon, portray, and assess their work. They are collections of purposeful and specialised work, capturing a process that can never be fully appreciated unless one can be inside and outside someone else's mind. Portfolios validate current expectations and legitimise future goals. Portfolios show evidence of one’s practice, teaching philosophy and demonstrate competence of teaching standards such as the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Teacher Standards.

A Teaching Portfolio is an organised record of your teaching experiences, achievements, and professional development. It consists of a collection of documents which illustrate the variety and quality of work that you do, along with your reflections on these documents and on your personal and professional development over time.

A well-developed teaching portfolio would be too much to present for either your discussions with your supervisor or for a promotion committee or for AITSL Standard Accreditation. It would be more appropriate to include an extract with descriptions of and reflections on your major achievements and references to other documentation.

As an Australian Registered Teacher, it is your role to grow and develop the students’ learnings in your classroom. The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers are standards that indicate what you should know, what you should be aiming to achieve at every stage of your career. The AITSL Teacher Standards are designed so you can improve your practice inside and outside of the classroom. The Teacher Standards consist of seven standards, which teachers will meet at differing levels depending on their career stage and level of experience. Commencing with University Graduate Teacher level through to Proficient, Highly Accomplished and Lead.

This research project seeks to understand the thinking and development of a teaching portfolio from the initial Graduate Teaching portfolio all the way through to Lead Teacher standard.

This project may have a part-time study option available. Some restrictions may apply. Please discuss your preference with the Supervisor and note your preferred study option when applying.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Darren Pullen

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • A Master’s Degree (or honours) in a relevant area, such as teacher education or 10-years of school-based teaching
  • Knowledge of and experience in the Australian school system

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • A Master’s Degree (or honours) in a relevant area, such as teacher education or 10-years of school-based teaching
  • Knowledge of and experience in the Australian school system

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Current Australian Teacher Registration or eligible for registration
  • At least 10-years of school based teaching experience

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact Dr Darren Pullen to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. In your application:
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
  4. Apply prior to 25 September 2023.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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