SQU conference to highlight innovative use of technology

Muscat: The Risk Management Office (RMO), in collaboration with The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Sultan Qaboos University, will organize “Teaching Highlights” event that will take place in conjunction with the upcoming “Re-imagine Teaching to Maximize Student Learning Conference,” being convened from 10th February 2020 through 12th February 2020.

The Teaching highlights event is an opportunity where faculty members come together in an interactive environment to share best practices, innovative teaching methods, and initiatives that are taking place across the University. These teaching innovations are being implemented to create a better learning experience for students.

Part of the RMO responsibilities is looking into risks and opportunities associated with academic activities. Faculty members across campus have worked diligently to improve the quality of their teaching.

“We have created an opportunity to highlight these teaching practices and share them with an international academic community. It is important for us to work in a decentralized fashion with all units at the University, and this initiative is part of enhancement of effectiveness of academic risks mitigation at a corporate level”, said Ms. Nadhira Alhabsi, Deputy Director of RMO.

The event will showcase concrete examples of innovative use of technology, game based learning, critical thinking problem-solving, student engagement strategies, outcome based learning, active learning, and the flipped classroom approach.

One featured example is a demonstration of how 14 members of the physics department have
worked to totally revise how first year physics is being taught at SQU. Other featured faculty are from the Colleges of Nursing, Commerce and Political Science, Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Engineering, and the Center for Preparatory Studies.

"It is important for us to support initiatives such as the Teaching Highlights event. This important collaboration supports SQU Strategic goals directed toward transitioning teaching practices at SQU to insure that all graduates meet the requirements of the 21st century workplace,” said Dr. Otherine Neisler, Deputy Director of Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Anyone interested in higher education teaching and learning, teaching critical thinking skills, or in educational space design, is welcome to attend the conference. More information on the event is available at: www.squ.edu.om/rmo