PhD candidate

MEd (QUT)
Grad Cert Instruct Design (Deakin)
BA Humanities (Griffith) 

Student evaluation in Australian higher education: a socio-cultural analysis

Panel

Stephen's research interests are around models for innovative learning design in contemporary tertiary education (particularly within institutional environments) and how effectively these can confront the complex demands of changing social expectations of learning, transforming learner expectations and established institutional limitations. He has also actively researched emerging forms of education evaluation in higher education, and use of practitioner based research and curriculum design.

Stephen has extensive experience in teaching and researching in the areas of learning design, innovative pedagogical models and educational evaluation. Prior to moving to CEDAM he was the Director of the Education Development Centre at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT). In this role he was responsible for leading institutional curriculum development, e-learning and postgraduate teacher education programs. Stephen was previously in educational design roles at the University of Canberra and Deakin University.

Darwin, S. (in press) Moving beyond face value: re-envisioning higher education evaluation as a generator of professional knowledge. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education.

Darwin, S. (2011) Learning in activity: exploring the methodological potential of action research in activity theorising of social practice. Educational Action Research. Vol . 19, No. 2, p. 215-229

Darwin, S. (2010) Pathways of good intentions? The Australian TAFE Teacher. Vol. 44, No. 3. Spring 2010

Darwin, S. (2010) Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Re-envisioning evaluation practice in higher education. Proceedings of the 2010 Australasian Evaluation Society Conference, Wellington NZ.

Darwin, S. (2010) Exploring critical conceptions of student-led evaluation in Australian higher education. In M.Devlin, J. Nagy and A. Lichtenberg (Eds.) Research and Development in Higher Education. Reshaping Higher Education, 33. Melbourne, 6-9 July, 2010.

Darwin, S. (2007). The changing contexts of vocational education: implications for institutional vocational learning. International Journal of Training Research, Vol. 5 No. 1

Darwin, S. & Francisco, S. (2007). Mentoring TAFE teachers: support, challenge, vision and trust. Paper presented at the 14TH Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association Conference, Melbourne, April 2007

Darwin, S. (2006). Exploring new models of institutional vocational learning. Paper presented at 4th International Lifelong Learning Conference, Yeppoon, June 2006

Darwin, S. (2004). Vocational Teacher Education: Bridging the Teaching Divide toward Lifelong Learning. Paper presented at 3rd International Lifelong Learning Conference, Yeppoon, June 2004

Darwin, S. (2004). The teacher as instructional designer: From standardising to customising. Paper presented at the TAFE Queensland Beyond the Break Conference, Brisbane, July 2004

Darwin, S. (2004). Transforming VET Teaching: from a training to learning paradigm. Australian Journal of Vocational Education and Training in Schools, Vol.5 2004-2005

Darwin, S. (2008, June 24). The transformation of Chinese vocational education. Campus Review Vol. 18 No. 25.

Darwin, S. (2008, March 18). Aspiring to excellence? Campus Review Vol. 18 No.11.

Darwin, S. (2007, November 20).The VET factory: how much industry is too much? Campus Review Vol. 17 No.46.

Darwin, S. (2007, August 21). Time for a real debate. Campus Review Vol. 17 No.33.