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Leigh Wood

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  • Title: Associate Professor
  • Position: Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching - Faculty of Business and Economics

Contact Details

Areas of Expertise

  • What happens when students leave university? How do they transition to employment?
  • Graduate skills: what are their ideas on ethics and sustainability? How can they apply those ideas in the workplace?
  • The Power of the International Students: International students as a real opportunity rather than a negative.
  • The need for quantitative skills and how these are undervalued in many industries

Profile

Leigh Wood is Associate Dean Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Business and Economics. 

Leigh has a strong record in research learning and teaching with over 30 journal articles, 3 textbooks, 10 multimedia learning packages and she is the co-editor of the “How to...” series available on the Business and Economics Teaching Resources website. Her research interest is in the area of learning and teaching in higher education and qualitative research methods.  Leigh has worked with international teams to investigate student learning. Most recently, Leigh has been researching student transition to the workplace (graduate attributes and generic skills), discipline-specific academic language development for non-English speaking background students, mapping course components and professional development for university lecturers. 

Leigh has received over $1 million in grants for Learning and Teaching. Currently, she is working on an Australian Learning and Teaching Council grant investing the capstone experience. 

As Associate Dean, Leigh aims to work with the Faculty to enhance the outcome of students and to make the profession of teaching more enjoyable, effective and efficient.

Research areas

My research area is in learning and teaching in higher education and, recently has focussed on transition to the workplace. I work with international teams to investigate cross cultural student learning. My latest work involves interviews with graduates and their reflections on their studies. Topics include:

  • Transition to the workplace (graduate attributes, generic skills etc)
  • Discipline-specific academic language development for non-English speaking background students
  • Mapping course components
  • Professional development for university lecturers

Affiliations / activities

  • Council member, Australian Mathematical Society
  • Chair, Standing Committee on Education, Australian Mathematical Society
  • Editor, Spreadsheets in Education. International Journal.
  • Referee for international journals
    • Literacy and Numeracy Studies
    • Mathematics Education Research Journal
    • Higher Education Research and Development
    • ANZIAM

phd supervision toggle icon open PhD Student Supervision

  • Teresa Swirski: Creativity as a graduate capability
  • Anna Rowe: Emotions and learning
  • Di Kirby: Developing teamwork skills in graduates

Media Mentions

  • Photo relating to Dynamic Business Magazine - Leigh WoodDynamic Business Magazine - Leigh Wood
  • Leigh discusses what SME's and graduates can offer each other.
    • Publication: Dynamic Business Magazine (March 2012)
    • Story: What SME's can offer graduates that corporates can't.
    • Date: 12 March 2012

Teaching

I have taught classes from large first year mathematics to research methods for postgraduate research students. I have taught on exchange in South Africa (University of Pretoria), Sweden (Linkoping University) and New Zealand (Auckland University). In particular I have expertise in:

  • Teaching large groups
  • Assessment
  • Developing multimedia teaching resources

Publications

Published/Accepted since 2000

A1 Books

  • Wood, L.N., Reid, A. & Petocz, P. (in press). Becoming a mathematician. Springer.

A3 Books

  • Wood, L.N. & Petocz, P., (2003). Reading Statistics. Sydney:University of Technology, Sydney (320p)

B1 Book chapters/Encyclopedia Entries

  • Kyng, T. Tickle, L. & Wood, L.N. (2011).  Graduates’ Use of Technical Software in Financial Services. Applications of Spreadsheets in Education: The Amazing Power of a Simple Tool, 175–194
  • Rowe, A.D., Muchatuta, M. & Wood, L.N. (2010). Inclusive practice in higher education: Feedback that breaks pedagogical barriers. Learning Teaching and Social Justice in Higher Education, Melbourne, Australia http://www.msp.unimelb.edu.au/index.php/LTSJHE/issue/current.
  • Harding, A., Wood, L.N. & Muchatuta, M. (2010), Women who do doctorates at a mature stage in their lives. International perspectives on Gender and Mathematics Education. Charlotte: Information Age Publishing.
  • Harding, A., Wood, L.N. & Muchatuta, M. (in press), Women who do doctorates at a mature stage in their lives. Gender and Mathematics. Rotterdam: Sense Publishing.
  • Wood, L.N. (2008). Communicating mathematics across culture and time. In H. Selin (Ed.), Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures (2nd. ed.). Boston: Springer.
  • Wood, L.N. (2008). University learners of mathematics. In Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2004-2007. (pp. 73-98). Rotterdam: Sense Publishing.
  • Wood, L.N. (2006). Communicating mathematics across culture and time. (Ed. Selin, H.) Encyclopaedia of History of Science, Technology and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures.  Boston:Springer.
  • Wood, L.N. (2004). University mathematics teaching and learning. In B. Perry, G. Anthony, & C. Diezman (Eds.), MERGA Review of Research in Australia 2000-2003 (pp. 219-242). Flaxton: Post Pressed.
  • Wood, L.N. (2004). University Mathematics Teaching and Learning. MERGA Review of Research in Australia 2000-2003, Flaxton: Post Pressed.
  • Wood, L.N., Viskic, D. & Petocz, P. (2003). Toys for Boys. In Burton, L. (Ed). Which Way: Social Justice in Mathematics Education?  Mathematics Education Series. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group
  • Wood, L.N. (2001). Secondary-tertiary interface. (Ed. Holton, D.) ICMI Study on Teaching and Learning of Mathematics at University Level. Dordrect:Kluwer.

C1 Refereed journal articles

  • Wood, L.N. (in press). Practice and conceptions: Communicating mathematics in the workplace. Educational Studies in Mathematics. 
  • Hoadley, S., Mather, G. & Wood, L.N. (in press). Creating examinations for a linguistically and culturally diverse student cohort. Innovations in Education Teaching International.
  • Mather, G., Denby, L., Wood, L.N. & Harrison, B. (in press).  Business graduates’ skills in sustainability. Journal of Global Responsibility
  • Handal, B., Cavanagh, M., Wood, L.N. & Muchatuta, M. (in press) Students’ Expectations of Teaching: the Business, Accounting and Economics Experience. e-Journal of Business Education & Scholarship of Teaching.
  • Wood, L.N., Thomas, T. & Rigby, B. (2011). Assessment and standards for graduate outcomes. Asian Social Science. 7, 4, 12-17.
  • Wood, L.N. & Dixon, P. (2011). Stakeholder analysis: using the Jigsaw Method for ethical dilemmas in Business. Asian Social Science. 7, 4, 77-83.
  • Wood, L.N., Mather, G., Petocz, P., Reid, A., Engelbrecht, J.,  Harding, A.,  Houston, S.K., Smith, G.H. & Perrett, G. (2011). University Students’ views of the role of mathematics in their future. .International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education.
  • Houston, S.K., Mather, G., Wood, L.N., Petocz, P., Reid, A., Harding, A., Engelbrecht, J. & Smith, G.H.(2010). Is There Life After Modelling? Student Conceptions of Mathematics, Mathematics Education Research Journal, 22,2. 69-80.
  • Wood, L.N. (2010). Graduate capabilities: Putting mathematics into context. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 41, 2, 189–198
  • Wood, L.N. (2009, in press). Graduate capabilities: putting mathematics into context. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology
  • Thomas, J., Muchatuta, M. & Wood, L.N., (2009). Mathematical sciences in Australia. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 40, 1, 17–26
  • Wood, L.N. & Solomonides, I. (2008). Different disciplines, different transitions. Mathematics Education Research Journal. 20, 2, 117-134
  • Wood, L.N. & Petocz, P. (2008). Learning Excellence and Development Team: LEADing change in learning and teaching. Asian Social Science, 4, 3, 2-9.
  • Rowe, A.D. & Wood, L.N. (2008). Student perceptions and preferences for feedback. Asian Social Science, 4, 3, 78-88.
  • Wood, L.N. (2008). Engineering mathematics – What do students’ think? ANZIAM Journal, 49, C289-C301.
  • Kaczynski, D., Wood, L.N. & Harding, A. (2008). Using radar charts with qualitative evaluation: Techniques to assess change in blended learning. Active Learning in Higher Education, 9, 1, 23-41.
  • Wood, L.N., Joyce, S., Petocz, P. & Rodd, M.R. (2007). Learning in lectures: Multiple representations. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 38, 7, 907-915.
  • Wood, L.N. & Harding, A. (2007). Can you show you are a good lecturer? International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 38, 7, 939-947.
  • Wood, L.N. & Kaczynski, D. (2007). University students in U.S.A. and Australia: Anticipation and reflection on the transition to work. International Journal of Employment Studies, 15, 2, 91-106.
  • Wood, L.N. & Smith, N.F. (2007). Graduate attributes: Teaching as learning. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 38, 6, 715-727.
  • Petocz, P., Reid, A., Wood, L.N., Smith, G.H., Mather, G., Harding, A., Engelbrecht, J., Houston, K., Hillel, J. & Perrett, G. (2007). Undergraduate students’ conceptions of mathematics: An international study. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 5, 3, 439-459.
  • Petocz, P., Reid, A., Wood, L.N., Harding, A., Smith, G.H., Perrett, G., Mather, G., Houston, K., Engelbrect, J., & Hillel, J. (accepted August 2006). Conceptions of mathematics and its uses International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education
  • Carmody, G. & Wood, L.N. (accepted November 2005). Bridging the gap for first year students with the use of peer tutoring. Adults Learning Mathematics.
  • Reid, A., Wood, L.N., Petocz, P., & Smith, G.H. (2005). Intention, Approach and Outcome: University Mathematics Students’ Conceptions of Learning Mathematics. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education.3, 567-586.
  • D’Souza, S.M.  & Wood, L.N. (2003). Rationale for establishing collaborative learning methods in first year mathematics learning. NZ J Math, 32,S,47-56.
  • Reid, A., Petocz, P. Smith, G.H. Wood, L.N., & Dortins, E. (2003) Mathematics students’ conception of mathematics. NZ J Math, 32,S,163-172.
  • D’Souza, S.M. & Wood, L.N. (2003) Secondary students’ resistance towards computer technology in mathematics learning. MCE, 37, 3 284-295.
  • Perrett, G., Wood, L.N. & Smith, G.H. (2002). Advanced Mathematical Discourse: A Case Study. Literacy and Numeracy Studies. 12, 1, 63-76.
  • Petocz, P. & Wood, L.N. (2001). The whole picture – videos and mathematics learning. Australian Senior Mathematics Journal 15, 1, 40-55.
  • Wood, L.N. & Smith, G.H. (2001). Survey of the use of flexible assessment. Quaestiones Mathematicae, Suppl. 1, 73-82.
  • Smith, G.H. & Wood, L.N. (2001). Motivating Engineering students to study mathematics.  Quaestiones Mathematicae, Suppl. 1, 47-56.
  • Smith, G.H. & Wood, L.N. (2000). Assessment of learning in university mathematics. Int.J. Math.Educ.Sc.Technol.31, 1, 125-132.

E1 Refereed conference papers

  • Godfrey, S., Carmody, G. & Wood, L.N. (2006). Diagnostic tests in a first year mathematics subject. Uniserve Science. 24-30. http://science.uniserve.edu.au/pubs/procs/2006/carmody.pdf
  • Wood, L. N., Smith, G. H., Mather, G., Harding, A., Engelbrecht, J., Houston, K., Perrett, G., Hillel, J., Petocz, P. & Reid, A. (2006). Student voices: implications for teaching mathematics. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics at the undergraduate level, Istanbul, Turkey. John Wiley and Sons.
  • Houston, S.K., Wood, L.N., Engelbrect, J., Harding, A., Kagesten, O., Holton, D., & Barton, W., (2006). Professional development of mathematics academics. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics at the undergraduate level, Istanbul, Turkey. John Wiley and Sons.
  • Wood, L.N. & Reid, A. (2006). Conversations with graduates:  reflections on learning mathematics. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics at the undergraduate level, Istanbul, Turkey. John Wiley and Sons. 
  • Wood, L.N. & Kaczynski, D. (2005). University students in USA and Australia: anticipation and reflection on the transition to work. RWL4, Sydney
  • Petocz, P., Smith, G. H., Wood, L. N. and Reid, A. (2004). On becoming a mathematician: an international perspective for future professionals in the mathematical sciences. Proceedings of International Congress on Mathematics Education, ICME10, Copenhagen, July 4-11.
  • D'Souza, S M & Wood, L N (2004).  The need for higher education reform - problems faced with assessing collaborative team based work, The Future of Mathematics Education, International Conference: The Future of Mathematics Education, ICME 2004, Ciechocnek, Poland , pp. 24-28
  • Wood, L.N., Mather, G., Kirkup, L. & Logan, P. (2003). Cross-disciplinary teaching of mathematics. Delta:03 Communications. Queenstown, November, 282-287.
  • D’Souza, S.M. & Wood, L.N. (2003). Tertiary students’ views of group work in first year. Proceedings AARE. http://www.aare.edu.au/03pap/dso03154.pdf
  • Wood, L.N. & Petocz, P. (2003). Transition to professional work. Uniserve Science, Sydney, October, 72-77. http://science.uniserve.edu.au/pubs/procs/wshop8/
  • Kirkup, L., Wood, L.N., Mather, G & Logan, P. (2003). Are you being serviced? Promoting quality service teaching. Uniserve Science, Sydney, October, 37-42. http://science.uniserve.edu.au/pubs/procs/wshop8/
  • D’Souza, S.M. & Wood, L.N. (2003). Secondary students’ perceptions of instructional approaches: Implications for mathematics learning. In L. Bragg, C. Campbell, G. Herbert, & J. Mousely (Eds.), Mathematics Education Research: Innovation, Networking, Opportunity. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference of MERGA In., Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, 286-293
  • D’Souza, S.M. & Wood, L.N. (2003). Designing assessment using the MATH taxonomy. In L. Bragg, C. Campbell, G. Herbert, & J. Mousely (Eds.), Mathematics Education Research: Innovation, Networking, Opportunity. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference of MERGA Inc., Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, 294-301
  • Kirkup, L., Wood, L.N., Mather, G. & Logan, P. (2003). Teaching mathematics and physics for engineers: reflections from the chalkface. EMAC 2003 Proceedings 97-102.
  • Wood, L.N., Mather, G., Logan, P. & Kirkup, L., (2003). Teaching mathematics and physics to engineers: reflections from the back row. EMAC 2003 Proceedings. 295-300
  • Wood, L.N. & D’Souza, S.M (2003). Too much of a good thing. EMAC 2003 Proceedings. 301-306.
  • Wood, L.N. (2002). Bridging and support services for engineering students. Proceedings of EMAC2002. Brisbane. 241-245.
  • D’Souza, S.M. & Wood, L.N. (2002). Using CSCL methods in secondary mathematics.  In B. Barton, K.C. Irwin, M. Pfannkuch, & M.O.J. Thomas (Eds.), Mathematics Education in the South Pacific:Proceedings of  the 25th Annual Conference of MERGA Auckland, July 244-251.
  • Wood, L.N. & Petocz, P. (2002). Reading statistics. Flexible Learning in Science. Uniserve Science, Sydney, April, 69-74. http://science.uniserve.edu.au/pubs/procs/wshop7/
  • Wood, L. & Smith, G. H. (2002). Students’ perceptions of difficulty in mathematical tasks.  (Ed. Michael Boezi). 2nd International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics, Crete, July. John Wiley and Sons. www.math.uoc.gr/~ictm2/Proceedings/ICTM2
  • Coutis, P. & Wood, L.N. (2002). Teaching statistics and academic language in culturally diverse classrooms. (Ed. Michael Boezi). 2nd International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics, Crete, July. John Wiley and Sons. www.math.uoc.gr/~ictm2/Proceedings/ICTM2
  • Wood, L., Smith, G. H., Petocz, P. and Reid, A. (2002). Correlations between students’ performance in assessment and categories of a taxonomy. (Ed. Michael Boezi). 2nd International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics, Crete, July. John Wiley and Sons. www.math.uoc.gr/~ictm2/Proceedings/ICTM2
  • Wood, L. & Smith, G. H. (2002). History in applied undergraduate mathematics. (Ed. George Joseph). Proceedings of the International Seminar and Colloquium on 1500 Years of Aryabhateeyam, 181- 186. Trivandrum, India, January. Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad.
  • D’Souza, S.M. & Wood, L.N. (2001). Investigating the Effects of Using Spreadsheets in a Collaborative Learning Environment. Proceedings of ATCM 2001, 361-370.
  • Wood, L.N. & Smith, G.H. (2001). Assessment in Linear Algebra. ICMI Study on the Future of the Teaching and Learning of Algebra, Melbourne. 663-667
  • Smith, G.H. &Wood, L.N. (2000). A first year calculus course for engineering students. Proceedings of EMAC2000.  Melbourne. 255-258.

DVD/video

  • Wood, L.N., Petocz, P. & Smith, G.H. (2000). Terror, tragedy and vibrations.  UTS:Changefocus. (30 mins).

Other publications

  • Wood, L.N. (2000). Patterns in nature. National Parks Journal.44, 4, 6-7

Pre -2000 selected articles

C1 Journal articles

  • Ball, G., Stephenson, B., Smith, G.H., Wood, L.N., Coupland, M. & Crawford, K. (1998). Creating a diversity of experiences for tertiary students, Int.J.Math.Educ.Sc.Technol, 29, 6, 827-841.
  • Smith, G.H., Wood, L.N., Crawford, K., Coupland, M. Ball, G. & Stephenson, B. (1996). Constructing mathematical examinations to assess a range of knowledge and skills, Int.J.Math.Educ.Sc.Technol, 27, 1, 65-77.

Other media

  • Smith, G.H., Wood, L.N., Cohen, G.L. & Nicorovici, N.A. (1999). Discrete Mathematics. A Mathematica notebook to teach topics in discrete mathematics. The files for MathSource item 0212-230, "Discrete Mathematics", are available at: http://www.mathsource.com/cgi-bin/msitem?0212-230

DVD/video

  • Wood, L.N. & Petocz, P. (1998).  Balancing the Equation—the  ideas of algebra. Sydney:Open Training and Education Network.  (25mins)
  • Wood L.N. & Petocz, P. (1996). The F-files—functions as models of reality.  Sydney: Open Training and Education Network.  (25mins)
  • Petocz, P. & Wood, L.N. (1993). Combinatorics—the art of counting.  Sydney: Open Training and Education Network.  (25mins)
  • Wood, L.N. & Petocz, P. (1992). Off on a tangent—the concepts of calculus.  Sydney: Open Training and Education Network.  (25mins)