Dr Jan Skillen

BA, BA (Hons, 1st Class), PhD

Senior Lecturer
Learning Development
University of Wollongong

Jan is a senior lecturer who has been with the University of Wollongong since April, 1997. She was previously a Learning Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Orange campus, where she made the focus of her role the pioneering of subject-integrated teaching of discipline-specific writing and learning skills in face-to-face, distance and web learning environments. Prior to that she was at the University of Newcastle, first in the Linguistics Department where she tutored and lectured in Phonetics and Phonology, Semantics, Language Acquisition and Speech and Language / Literacy Disorders and then in the Learning Skills Unit in the Centre for Learning and Teaching where her role was to assist students in their development of tertiary literacy and learning skills.

Since coming to Wollongong, Jan has worked directly with students and with other academics at institutional, faculty, departmental and subject level to put literacy policy into practice: working with staff and students in the Faculties of Engineering, Science, Health and Behavioural Science, Law and Commerce; with staff on curriculum reviews in Engineering, Accounting and Law; and within numerous working parties and committees across the university. She has also had a particular interest in teaching thesis writing at postgraduate and honours level, beginning the teaching of this across campus in 1998.

Her research interests have been mostly involved with the development of language and literacy and, since completion of her PhD in 1993, have focussed on tertiary literacy and the practice of teaching writing and academic skills in disciplinary contexts. This interest has extended in recent years to international practices in the teaching of academic writing.

Along with other members of the Learning Development team, she was shortlisted in 2000 for a national teaching award. In 2003, she won a University of Wollongong Vice Chancellor’s OCTAL award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning.

Positions held

2000 - Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong

1997 -2000 Lecturer, University of Wollongong

1995 –1997 Learning Fellow (Lecturer level B), University of Sydney, Orange Campus

1993 – 1995 Associate Lecturer, Learning Skills Unit, University of Newcastle

1989 – 1994 Associate Lecturer (casual), Department of Linguistics, University of Newcastle

Industrial/commercial/professional activities

2005 Manuscript reviewer: Asian Journal of English Language Teaching

2005 Steering Committee, Higher Education Research & Development Society of  Australasia (HERDSA) Special Interest Group in Language and Learning

2004 Visiting Academic, Academic Writing Centre, University of Coventry, UK

2003 NSW State Convenor, Higher Education Research & Development Society of  Australasia (HERDSA) Special Interest Group in Language and Learning

2003 Referee: Educational Integrity: Plagiarism and other Perplexities Conference

2003 Co-organiser for HERDSA Special Interest Group in Language and Learning State Meeting

2001 Referee: Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (ODLA)

2001 Co-organiser, LAS Conference, University of Wollongong

2000 -2001 Consultant - The IDEALL project, University of Newcastle

1999 Consultant - Evaluation of PBL Curricula, University of New England

1999 -2001 PhD Supervision (Faculty of Education, UOW)

1999 Committee for University Teaching and Staff Development (CUTSD) referee

1999 Referee: Australian Association Research in Education (AARE)

1998 Co-organiser of Innovative Curriculum Development: A Colloquium, University of Wollongong.

1998 Masters thesis examiner (University of Wollongong)

1998 Co-organiser - HERDSA Special Interest Group in Language & Learning State Meeting (University of Wollongong)

1995 Co-organiser - HERDSA Special Interest Group in Language & Learning State Meeting (University of Newcastle)

Governance

2002- Language And International Student Support Sub-Committee (LISSC) of the University’s Internationalisation Committee, (UOW)

2000-2 Cedir Staff Development Team (UOW)

2000 Co-opted member of the Academic Staff Development Working Party, University of Wollongong (UOW)

2000 Peer Review Working Party of UEC (UOW)

2000 Editing Policy Working Party of UEC (UOW)

1999 Education Innovations Sub-committee of UEC (UOW)

1999 Learning and Teaching Strategic Plan Working Party of UEC (UOW)

1996/7 Academic Senate, University of Sydney, Orange.

1996/7 Learning Committee, University of Sydney, Orange.

1996/7 Assessment Standards & Guidelines Working Party, University of Sydney, Orange.

Successful grant applications

2003 University of Wollongong ESDF grant “Arts Degrees and the Graduate Attributes: A healthy relationship or a list to be ticked” Mitchell, G., Collins R, Skillen, J. & Percy, A.

2002 University of Wollongong ESDF grant “Research Supervision” Principal investigators: Wright J (Principal Coordinator), Ingham, S, Gaffikin, M, Marchant,, T, Whelan, R, Lyons, L. Consultative Committee: Sharrad, P, Wypych P, Crookes, P, Mohr, R, Ridges, L, Skillen J

2001 University of Wollongong ESDF grant “Development of Guidelines and Implementation Strategies for Peer Review of Teaching”, Principal Investigators: Turcotte, G, Percy, A, Draisma, K, Skillen, J, Griffiths, D, Naghdy, F, Montgomery, D, Vialle, W, Te Wiata, I, Wills, S (Project Adviser, CEDIR)

2001 University of Wollongong ESDF grant “Developing Research Management and Communication Skills in Geoscience” Head, L, Fergusson, C, French, K., Griffith D, Skillen, J, & Trivett, N.

1998/9 Committee for University Teaching and Staff Development (CUTSD) grant of $189,000 “Development of Interactive Unilearning Resources” Principal Investigator: Hampton, G, University of Wollongong, Grierson, J, University of Western Sydney, Perez, A, University of Melbourne (with M Merten, J Skillen,, N Trivett, & A Percy, Learning Development, University of Wollongong)

1998 University of Wollongong ESDF grant “Integration of discipline-specific literacy and learning skill into Introduction to Management (MGMT 110 - flexible delivery mode) Gross, M, Fulop, L, Merten, .M, Percy, A, Skillen, J, & Trivett N

1998 University of Wollongong ESDF grant “Redevelopment of Learning Development’s resources for flexible delivery” Merten, M, Stace, R, Skillen, J, Trivett, N & Percy, A

1998 University of Wollongong ESDF grant “Generic Information Literacy and Research Skills - A Teaching Resource Database” Lyons-lee, L, with R Albury, C Milne, G, Lefoe, M Merten, J Skillen, C Littler, J Birchall & W Myers

Publications

Skillen, J “Teaching academic writing in Australian universities” in L Ganobscik-Williams (ed.) Academic Writing In Britain: Theories And Practices Of An Emerging Field, Palgrave Macmillan: London. (to be published)

Skillen, J & Purser, E (2003) “Teaching thesis writing: Policy and practice at an Australian university” Hong Kong Journal of Applied Linguistics, vol. 8(2), pp. 17-33.

James, B Skillen, J & Percy, A (2004) “From integration to transformation” in P Zeegers & K Deller-Evans (eds.) Refereed Proceedings of the Biannual Language and Academic Skills in Higher Education 2003 Conference, Flinders University.

Pollock, E, Trivett, N, Skillen, J, Percy, A & James, B (2001) “The Unilearning project: online academic learning support” in P Little, J Conway, K Cleary, S Bourke, J Archer & A Kingsland (eds.) Learning Partnerships: Proceedings of the 2001 Annual HERDSA Conference, HERDSA.

Skillen, J, Percy, A, Trivett, N & James, B (2001) “Creating partnerships in supporting student learning: a paradigm shift in learning support” in P Little, J Conway, K Cleary, S Bourke, J Archer & A Kingsland (eds.) Learning Partnerships: Proceedings of the 2001 Annual HERDSA Conference, HERDSA.

Trivett, N, Skillen, J & James, B (2001) “ New partnerships in supporting postgraduate research” in P Little, J Conway, K Cleary, S Bourke, J Archer & A Kingsland (eds.) Learning Partnerships: Proceedings of the 2001 Annual HERDSA Conference, HERDSA.

Percy, A & Skillen, J (2001) "A systemic approach to working with academic staff: addressing the confusion at the source” in Sources of Confusion: Proceedings of the 2000 Language and Academic Skills Conference.

Skillen, J, Trivett N (2001) “Explicit teaching of genre conventions in tertiary education: an example from Biology” in Academic Exchange Quarterly, Spring 2001, p. 113.

Merten, M, Percy, A, Skillen, J & Trivett, N (1999) “How do we know if students learn online?”: A case study of the deep integration of tertiary literacy and discipline-specific skills into a flexibly delivered first year subject” in Cornerstones: Proceedings of the 1999 HERDSA Conference at http://www.herdsa.org.au/

Skillen J, Merten M., Trivett N. & Percy A. (1999) “The IDEALL approach to Learning Development: a model for fostering improved literacy and learning outcomes for students” at http://ericae.net/

Skillen J, Trivett N, Merten M & Percy, A (1999) “Integrating the instruction of generic and discipline specific skills into the curriculum: a case study” in Cornerstones: Proceedings of the 1999 HERDSA Conference at http://www.herdsa.org.au/

Skillen, J (1998) "Tertiary Literacy in Males: a diagnostic perspective" in J Orrel (ed.) Advancing International Perspectives: Proceedings of the 1997 HERDSA Conference, HERDSA, Canberra.

Skillen J, Merten M, Trivett N & Percy A (1998) “The IDEALL approach to Learning Development: a model for fostering improved literacy and learning outcomes for students” in Proceedings of the 1998 AARE Conference at http://www.swin.edu.au/aare/conf98.htm

Trivett N & Skillen J (1998) “Using computer technology to integrate instruction in discipline-specific literacy skills into the curriculum: a case study” in Flexibility: the next wave: Proceedings of the 1998 ASCILITE Conference at http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/wollongong98/asc98-pdf/trivettskillen.pdf

Skillen, J & Mahony, M (1997) "Literacy and Learning Development in Higher Education: an issue of institutional change" in P Jeffrey (ed.) Higher Education in New Times, Proceedings of the 1997 AARE Conference. http://www.swin.edu.au/aare/conf97.htm

Skillen, J (1997) ”Meeting the tertiary literacy challenge: Assessing the problem and and providing support for non-traditional students” in Z. Goliebowski (ed.) Policy and practice of tertiary literacy, Vol. 1, Selected Proceedings of the First National Conference on tertiary Literacy: Research and Practice. Victoria University of Technology.

Skillen, J (1997) "Assessing Tertiary Literacy" The University of Sydney, Orange.

Skillen, J (1996) "Meeting the Challenge: Tertiary Literacy in a Non-Traditional Institution" in S Leong & D Kirkpatrick (ed.) Different Approaches: Theory and Practice in Higher Education: Proceedings of the 1996 HERDSA Conference, HERDSA, Canberra.

Presentations

Skillen, J (2004) “The Centre’s Multiple Roles”. Invited presentation at University of Coventry, UK.

Mullin, J, Blythman, M, Boeschoten, V, Braeuer G, Orr S, Richards R, Ryan L, Skillen, J, Stassen, I. (2004) Exploring Mutual Experiences to Change Global Practices, Pre-conference workshop at 55th Annual Conference on College Composition and Communication, San Antonio, Texas, March, 2004.

Skillen, J (2003) Moving out, Moving in: From the Centre to the centre, 54th Annual Conference on College Composition and Communication, New York, USA, March, 2003.

Ede, L, Ganobcsik-Williams, L, Gong, G, Graves, R, Ivanic, R, Lunsford, A & Skillen, J (2003) Changing Places: An International Exchange on the Teaching of College Writing. Pre-conference workshop at 54th Annual Conference on College Composition and Communication, New York, USA, March, 2003.

Skillen, J, James, B, Percy, A, Tootell, H & Irvine, H (2003) From integration to transformation, National Language and Academic Skills Conference, Flinders University, Adelaide, November, 2003.

Percy, A & Skillen, J (2003) Strategic integration: A whole faculty approach, National Language and Academic Skills Conference, Flinders University, Adelaide, November, 2003.

Ede, ., Ganobcsik-Williams, L, Gong, G, Ivanic, R, Lunsford, A, Pare, A & Skillen, J (2002) Transnational Goals and Practices of Composition: An International Exchange, 53rd Annual Conference on College Composition and Communication, Chicago, USA, March, 2002.

Skillen, J (2001) A paradigm shift in supporting students' development of writing in higher education, Teaching Writing in Higher Education: An International Symposium, University of Warwick, UK. March, 2001.

Pollock, E, Trivett, N, Skillen, J, Percy, A & James, B (2001) The unilearning project: online academic learning support, 2001 HERDSA Conference, Newcastle, July, 2001.

Trivett, N, Skillen, J, & James, B (2001) New partnerships in supporting postgraduate research, 2001 HERDSA Conference, Newcastle, July, 2001.

Skillen, J, Percy, A, Trivett, N & James, B (2001) Creating partnerships in supporting student learning: a paradigm shift in learning support, 2001 HERDSA Conference, Newcastle, July, 2001.

Skillen, J, Merten, M, Percy A and Trivett, N (1999) ‘Developing interactive online learning resources: setting the parameters for the Unilearning/ CUTSD project’. Roundtable discussion at the 1999 HERDSA Conference, Cornerstones in Higher Education, Melbourne July, 1999.

Merten. M, Percy, A, Skillen, J & Trivett, N (1999) How do we know if students learn online? A case study of the deep integration of tertiary literacy and discipline-specific skills into a flexibly delivered first year subject. 1999 HERDSA Conference, Melbourne, July, 1999.

Skillen J, Trivett N, Merten M & Percy, A (1999) Integrating the instruction of generic and discipline specific skills into the curriculum: a case study, 1999 HERDSA Conference, Melbourne, July, 1999.

Skillen J (1999) Issues in Learning Support, National Teaching Forum, Canberra, December, 1999.

Skillen J, Trivett N, Russell W, Rodgerson L & Robinson S (1999) Explicit Teaching of Genre Conventions in a 1st Year Biology Course, Literacy and Education Research Network (LERN) International Conference, Penang, Malaysia, September, 1999.

Rodgerson L, Robinson S, Russell W, Skillen J & Trivett N (1999) The Science of Righting the Writing of Science, IATS Conference, University of Western Sydney.

Trivett, N, Skillen, J, Rodgerson, L, Russell, W & Robinson, S (1999) Integrating the instruction of generic and discipline specific skills into a first year biology curriculum, Effective courses/Effective teaching at University - Reflection on practice/Practice for reflection, University of Queensland.

Skillen J, Trivett N (1998) Integrating 'learning development' within flexible university courses, New South Wales HERDSA SIG meeting, University of Wollongong.

Bone Z, Johnson B & Skillen J (1999) Winds of change: challenging the male hegemony, of Change International Conference, UTS, Sydney.

Skillen J, Merten M, Trivett N & Percy A (1998) The IDEALL approach to Learning Development: a model for fostering improved literacy and learning outcomes for students. 1998 HERDSA Conference, Adelaide, July, 1998.

Trivett N & Skillen J (1998) Using computer technology to integrate instruction in discipline-specific literacy skills into the curriculum: a case study, ASCILITE'98 Conference: Flexibility: the next wave, University of Wollongong.

Skillen J.\ & Mahony M. (1997) Literacy and Learning Development in Higher Education: an issue of institutional change, 1997 AARE Conference Higher Education in New Times, Adelaide, November, 1997.

Skillen J (1997) Tertiary Literacy in males: a diagnostic perspective, 1997 HERDSA Conference Advancing International Perspectives, Adelaide, July, 1997.

Eiseman J & Skillen J (1997) Developing the research and literacy skills of distance education students, Distance Education: Designing for Success Conference, Washington State University, Seattle. USA

Bone Z, Johnson B & Skillen J (1996) Keeping them Honest: Challenging the Male Hegemony, Disciplining Rita Conference, University Of New England, Armidale.

Skillen J (1996) Meeting the Challenge: Tertiary Literacy in a Non-Traditional Institution, 1996 HERDSA Conference Different Approaches: Theory and Practice in Higher Education, Perth, July, 1996.

Skillen J (1996) Meeting the Tertiary Literacy Challenge: Assessing the Problem and Providing Support for Non-Traditional Students, First National Conference on Tertiary Literacy: Research and Practice. Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne, July, 1995.

Skillen J (1995) Literacy in English: The Rise and Fall of Phonological Awareness, Australasian Universities Language and Literature Association Conference, University of New England, Armidale.

Skillen J (1993) The Nature of Language Acquisition Deficit after Anoxic Episodes due to Cardiac Defects/Surgery, Hunter Area Speech Pathology Association Meeting, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Waratah, NSW.

Skillen J (1992) Clues to Language Structure in the Stream of Speech, 1992 Australian Linguistics Society (ALS) Conference, The University of Sydney.

Skillen J (1990) Cardiac Surgery and Infant Anoxia: Their Relationship to Language Acquisition, 15th Annual Australian Brain Impairment Conference, Newcastle, NSW.