I have been a “change maker” throughout my professional career, from the early days as a language teacher where I used the most advanced methods of second language learning and was often asked to run professional development courses for other teachers, to the present where my expertise in the Areas of technology and language learning is widely recognised, well outside my immediate circle of work.
I cannot recommend Grazia highly enough. She has been a great, great help to me in resolving issues arising in that nexus between teaching and technology. Grazia has a very hands on approach, and teaches by example. While on the one hand providing practical easily understood advice, her extensive knowledge of language teaching and technology pedagogy allows her to ground that advice within appropriate academic discourse. Grazia is a real people person and an excellent communicator, always willing to drop in for a few minutes or to send a quick email to help resolve those sudden moments of panic when an online quiz fails or a movie file fails to open. She is both flexible and passionate about her work, and her passion which cannot help but rub off on her listeners. (Dr Carol Hayes, Japan Centre, School of Culture, History and Language, CAP, ANU)
I can list numerous examples of where my expertise and experience has been called upon by academics and institutions from both inside and outside my employer institutions.
For example, just a few weeks ago I was contacted by Professor Anne Campbell, who is currently teaching in China, and was asked to meet with a Chinese Professor interested in Technology in Language Teaching who was visiting Australia. I was subsequently contacted by Professor Hui with the following email
I organised a visit at ANU for Professor Hui. My goal during his visit was not to simply give him the usual “tourist guided tour” but to provide him with an insight of what happens in a language class at the ANU, from a student point of view, sharing with him some of the technologies and ideas that I have contributed to other academics at our institution.
Here is the response I received from Professor Anne Campbell after the visit.
Another example is my recent collaboration with Associate Professor Leah Moore on alternative assessment methods using wikispaces and podcasts for Science Education. The results of this project will be presented in a seminar at CEDAM on the 18th November.
And finally, the highly successful project with the Italian Embassy launching the Tuttoitaliano webpage for Italian students, teachers, parents and the wider community.
In 2010 I won the Vice Chancellor’s Award in Innovation and Excellence as part of the DOI team for my work in supporting CAP and CASS in the transition from WebCt to Wattle. This award, together with the examples highlighted above and the testimonials included in this portfolio, demonstrate the level of recognition of my expertise, experience and philosophy of sharing that has always been my trademark.
