Learning Advisor
BEd (Hons) PhD

Role

• Help new and existing students to make a successful transition into higher education and to develop attributes that enable ongoing learning with understanding.

• Assist students to develop appropriate academic writing, numeracy and learning skills through workshops, consultations and the development of online resources.

• Participate in Integrated Learning Advisor work which provides intensive support for students in targeted, core-first-year subjects.

Research interests

To contribute to research about ways to support all students to develop academic skills and abilities that then help to build confidence and competence for advancing learning with understanding. I am particularly interested in investigating ways to reach struggling students who fear seeking assistance.

Awards

• 2010 Faculty Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning with Assoc Prof Mary Klein

• 2010 Sessional Staff Teaching Award

Publications

Klein, M., & Smith, K. L. (2010). Preparing preservice teachers to step up to the intentions of the national curriculum in mathematics: Revitalising their mathematics and demonstrations of proficiency, Paper to be presented at the AARE International Education Research Conference, Melbourne.

Smith, K. L., & Klein, M. J. (2010). Preparing preservice teachers to step up to the intention of the new Australian mathematics curriculum: Can a productive disposition be reignited? Paper presented at the 2010 Australian Teacher Education National Conference: Australian Teacher Education Association.

Smith, K. L. (2009). Bridging Understanding, Interest and Identity Gaps in a First year Numeracy Subject. In R. Hunter, B. Bicknell & T. Burgess (Eds.), Crossing divides: Proceedings of the 32nd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (Vol. 1). Palmerston North, New Zealand: MERGA.

Klein, M., & Smith, K. L. (2009). Being Numerate for Teaching: The Indivisibility of Learning Landscape, Participation and Practice. In R. Hunter, B. Bicknell & T. Burgess (Eds.), Crossing divides: Proceedings of the 32nd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (Vol. 1). Palmerston North, New Zealand: MERGA.

Smith, K. L., & Klein, M. J. (2008). Thinking, reasoning and working mathematically: Preservice teachers' values and aspirations. Paper presented at the 2008 Australian Teacher Education National Conference: Australian Teacher Education Association.