Our projects
Copy, cut and paste: How does this shape what we know?
Researchers: Elaine Khoo, Craig Hight, Rob Torrens & Bronwen Cowie
Date: January 2013 to December 2014
This research aims to explore how the notion of software literacy is understood, developed and applied in tertiary teaching–learning contexts and the extent to which this understanding is useful when translated into new contexts of learning with and through software.
Sustained improvements in teaching and learning in engineering education
Researchers: Professor Janis Swan, Dr Elizabeth Godfrey, Dr Rob Torrens (University of Waikato), Dr Gerard Rowe (University of Auckland), Neel Pandey (Manukau Institute of Technology) & John Findlay (Otago Polytechnic)
This collaborative project aimed to bring together engineering education leaders from New Zealand engineering degree-granting institutions to scope and develop a strategy to support sustained improvements in engineering teaching and learning.
Illuminating the nature of threshold concepts and their use in engineering education
Researchers: Ann Harlow, Jonathan Scott, Mira Peter, & Bronwen Cowie
Date: 2010-2011
During 2010 and 2011, the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research (WMIER) in collaboration with the Faculty of Science and Engineering have been undertaking a research project looking into the teaching and learning in the first and second year analogue electronics courses (ENEL 111 and 205) at the University of Waikato.
Exploring e-learning practices across the disciplines in a university environment
Researchers: Marcia Johnson, Bronwen Cowie, Nicola Westberry, Elaine Khoo, Lucy Campbell, Cathy Coleborne, Willem De Lange, Garry Falloon, Dianne Forbes, Craig Hight, Patricia Strang, Rob Torrens, Anne Zahra, Stephen Harlow & Nigel Robertson (University of Waikato)
Date: January 2009 to January 2011
This TLRI funded project, led by Marcia Johnson, used a case study approach to explore E-learning practices across a number of faculties at The University of Waikato. One of the case studies was the first-year ‘Foundations of Engineering’ paper coordinated by Rob Torrens.
Interactive teaching approach in year one university physics in taiwan: implementation and evaluation
Researchers: Wheijen Chang, Alister Jones & Rainer Künnemeyer
An intervention teaching program was implemented in a tertiary physics class in Taiwan. By providing the students with context-rich questions and sufficient time for thinking and discussion, the program aimed to stimulate students' intellectual engagement and intended to promote their participation in learning practice.
Understanding and enhancing learning communities in tertiary education in science and engineering
Researchers: Michael Forret, Chris Eames, Richard Coll, Alison Campbell, Michèle Prinsep, Rainer Künnemeyer, (University of Waikato), Heather Stonyer (The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development), David Dodd, Jim Clark (Auckland University of Technology), Kevin Stewart (Waikato Institute of Technology), Thomas Cronjé & Chrispin Maclean (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology).
Date: January 2005 to January 2007
Our work was part of a research project that attempted to provide insights into the nature of learning communities for science and engineering higher education students and staff. A particular feature of this project was the involvement of lecturers and tutors who were part of the teaching staff in New Zealand’s higher education.
Evaluating a career change pathway into technology teaching
Researchers: John Williams, Beverley Cooper, Janis Swan and Michael Forret
This longitudinal project aims to research the learning pathways of career change individuals who are enrolled in an innovative programme developed at the University of Waikato to prepare technology teachers.
Engineering pathways retention analysis
Researchers: Mike Forret & John Williams
Analysis of surveys completed by first and third year Victoria University of Wellington Engineering students and subsequent focus group interviews to make recommendations about student satisfaction and retention.
Digital assessment of Engineering student performance
Researchers: Paul Newhouse and John Williams (University of Waikato)
This three year project concerns the potential to use digital technologies to represent the output from assessment tasks in Engineering for high stakes summative assessment.
Influencing factors for women to choose engineering in New Zealand
Researchers: M Morindnejad & W Fox-Turnbull
Date: 2019-Ongoing
Māori women’s journey in engineering and trades professions in New Zealand
Researchers: M Morindnejad, W Fox-Turnbull & Research Assistant S Rangarajan
Date: 2022-Ongoing 2022
Community Research Grant-Trust Waikato in collaboration with YWCA
Embedding computational thinking into authentic technology practice
Researchers: W Fox-Turnbull, S.Wu
Enhancing learning in technology education through student structured dialogue.
Researchers: W Fox-Turnbull