Dr Kristie Cameron
Congratulations to Dr Kristie Cameron and Yo Heta-Lensen, who have been selected as our Unitec nominees for this year’s national Ako Tertiary Teaching Awards. Kristie and Yo were both winners at our Unitec Staff Excellence Awards 2019 and have reached an outstanding level of teaching.
In the first of a two-part series we look into what makes Kristie an excellent teacher, and a bit about her background and teaching style.
When asked about being put forward to represent Unitec at the national awards and what she loves about teaching, Kristie said she loves teaching because it’s fun!
“But also because I get to participate in a student’s ‘eureka’ moment. I also enjoy teaching the ‘how to’… not just content but creating a learning opportunity for upskilling too. I’m a behaviourist so learning to learn is important to me and working out how best to facilitate, maintain and reward student’s learning. I’m honoured to be nominated and to represent Unitec at the awards. It’s awesome to be so reassured that you’re doing a good job.”
Kristie demonstrating how to train a chicken
Kristie teaches Animal Behaviour Science, Welfare and Husbandry to students from a range of levels and from diverse and interesting backgrounds.
Kristie says she believes excellent teaching is when teacher and student explore and understand the links between existing and new knowledge.
“For me, it’s where the dots provided by the teacher are connected by the student’s learning. I enjoy hearing the sounds of revelation as material suddenly makes sense for each individual. As whimsical as this sounds, learning is as much an emotional event as it is educationally important.”
Innovative teaching
Hands-on dog training in class
Kristie is innovative in her approach to teaching, always looking for ways to engage and inspire her students. She’s interested in new technologies for course design, assessment and the engagement of students in large classes. For example, to align with the familiarity her students have with technology, Kristie facilitated group communication and project management through social media and the use of apps to record animal behaviour and formative games. She encourages students to use their devices to connect to others in group projects and to exercise autonomy by setting goals and being accountable to others, and their learning via email or social media.
Kristie also uses Kahoot! to explore which topics and types of assessments her students would like to focus on, and (even pre-COVID times) uses Zoom to share lectures with remote learners.
“…for me it is in the delivery and how a student is expected to respond both actively and passively to new and scaffolded [built gradually] information. Adult learning is not teacher-centred but involves a student’s experiences.”
Kristie (in white) filming the Fanimals children’s show
Kristie varies her teaching style, mixing up a less interactive period of teaching with an interactive event. She also brings animals into the classroom to create an authentic and impactful learning environment and requires her Level 7 students to take the theory they’ve learnt and apply it in a real situation, such as training an animal.
Sharing her knowledge
Kristie has also continued to engage in professional development throughout her career, achieving her PhD in 2015 and completing a Graduate Diploma in Higher Education in 2018, which helped her further develop her teaching delivery. She was even doing badges while on parental leave in 2019! She also shares her knowledge through writing papers, supporting her colleagues through mentoring and helping to rewrite courses for NZQA. Last year, Kristie featured on a very popular segment of the children’s show ‘Fanimals’ where she shared her knowledege of working with chickens and guinea pigs and in a Herald Focus interview about Unitec’s Certificate in Canine Behaviour and Training.
The impact Kristie has on her students
Kristie’s work always comes back to sharing her love of learning with her students.
“I believe students need to feel empowered, to own their learning and feel confident in their growing abilities. It is my mission to facilitate students in learning to learn and to foster their curiosity for knowledge. Our teaching excellence will grow through our passion.”
One of the best ways to demonstrate the impact Kristie has on her students is to hear from them. Here’s a snapshot of what they had to say…
Kristie on Herald Focus
“I found your passion for the subjects you taught infectious, which grew my own interests, particularly in the field of animal behaviour. You were so supportive especially while I was doing my self-directed study and made the entire process enjoyable and manageable. I doubt I would be where I am today without your help so I will be forever grateful that I had you as a lecturer!”
Unitec Graduate working for MPI, 2020
“Not only did she share her knowledge, expertise and skills with me, she always did it with kindness, enthusiasm and empathy. She always made sure I would not get overwhelmed and was constantly communicating with me. She very patiently took time outside her normal office hours to explain and break down complicated formulas and concepts. Dr Cameron has given me the confidence to believe in my achievements but the best skill she has given me is how to not get overwhelmed with anxiety and how to problem solve in all situations. I will forever hold a special place in my heart for her.”
Unitec Graduate working at Bird Rescue, 2018
“Being enthusiastic during lectures and great teaching skill. I don’t know what Kristie’s secret is but she sure awakes the passion of learning about behaviour and animal stuff related in me. Kristie you were a great lecturer!!!! Keep it up.”
Student Course Evaluation, NSCI 5702 Animal Behaviour and Welfare, 2018
“I miss Kristie!!! Her teaching style was awesome, she really is passionate about this subject. Kristie’s enthusiasm really rubbed off on everyone in class. She would also give us insight on what we really needed to go over and learn for our assessments.”
Student Course Evaluation, NSCI 5738 Principles of Animal Husbandry, 2019
The Ako Tertiary Teaching Awards will be held later this year, where Kristie and Yo will represent Unitec. We wish them both well.