Consultancies and Professional Activities

Invited visits | Professional activities | Governance experience | ACODE & ASCILITE community activities | Funded research

Consultancies and Invited Visits

Lifelong Learning and Employability Working Group 

  • Working on aligning the work being done by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment in the National Credentials Platform with lifelong learning and employability opportunities.

National Microcredentials Framework Working Group

  • July – October 2021: The Microcredentials Working Group was instigated by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) and Chaired by Emeritus Professor Beverley Oliver and was convened to discuss and agree key elements of this framework. The Working Group operated on the base of broad consensus, and key discussions were held across this framework.

Austrade and U.S. Commercial Service: Navigating higher education in Australia

  • February 2021: A collaborative activity to help US-based EdTech start-up’s understand more about the Australian higher education landscape. Such as: market insights and decision making considerations when approaching Australian higher education institutions, current trends with e-learning decisions in new COVID-19 context, and next steps to build.

Commonwealth of Learning (CoL)

  • 2022: Facilitate online learning forum associated with the lead-up to PCF9 Conference. Also, Judge the Innovation Awards for the conference.
  • February 2019: Contracted to develop and pilot a new toolkit and implementation model for the benchmarking of technology enabled learning, to be used by Commonwealth institutions.
  • August 2019: The Benchmarking Toolkit for Technology-Enabled Learning is now available from: http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/3217

CQ University

  • August 2018: Facilitated visioning activities towards the future state of technology enhanced learning (TEL) at CQ University. This was undertaken with leaders from both our Learning and Teaching group and from the Information Technology division. The outcome was to identify key next steps towards a new TEL roadmap.

Independent External TESQA Review of AGME’s Online Teaching and Learning Framework

  • February – July 2018: Undertook an external review of the quality of the Australian Guild of Music Education (AGME) course accreditation application to TEQSA, on the application, online teaching and learning environment for all units, in particular the delivery of Ensemble units.

Australian Federal Police: Learning Advisory Panel

AIPM: Higher Education Strategic Review Round-table

  • August 2017: Contribute an ‘expert’ session entitled ‘Learning focused innovations in delivery and assessment’ to the Higher Education Strategic Review Roundtable, held at the Australian Institute of Police Management, on the 28th August.

Review at the University of Auckland (New Zealand)

  • March 2017: Conducted a formal review of the eLearning group of the Centre for Learning and Research in Higher Education (CLeaR). CLeaR provides research-informed institutional leadership to enhance the quality of teaching, learning and research at the University of Auckland through the promotion of reflective and innovative practice and a scholarly approach to higher education.

Review of QCOSS online training site

  • June 2016: Conducted a review of the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) social and community services online training site. The review included investigating: the content on this site for relevancy, accuracy; how well it is responding to the needs of those in the sector or those entering it; and best practice in adult online learning and how it may be applied to this site.

Visiting Scholar to the University of South Africa (UniSA)

  • Invited to UniSA, by the Institute for Open and Distance Learning (IODL), to conduct a series of activities (16-19 September 2014), including: Present and Occassional Lecture on learning technologies and the student learning journey; Conduct a Benchmarking Activity using the ACODE Benchmarks for Teachnology Enhanced Learning;  Facilitate a Round Table on the use of technology enhanced learning, and; Present at a Symposium on Student experiences and expectations of learning technologies.

TAFE Consultancies

  • In 2013 I undertook two professional development consultancies with the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE and the Brisbane North Institute of TAFE. These activities involve providing professional advice to both TAFE Institutes  as they move toward a more holistic model for online course delivery.

Open Polytechnic NZ Consultancy

  • September 2010, I was invited to the Open Polytechnic in Wellington by the Chief Executive, Caroline Seelig, to conduct a two day strategic planning visit to help establish a strategic direction for the use of emerging technologies to support/enhance the teaching portfolio at Open Polytechnic.

External Review of the University of Canberra PEI project

  • In November 2009 I was the external reviewer for the ALTC funded Promoting Excellence Program at the University of Canberra.

Griffith Film School Consultancy

  • August 2005. Griffith University, Griffith Film School: Consultancy undertaken to formulate a series of recommendations for the development of  an online environment to support the new Professional Masters Program.

QUT EdD website redevelopment consultancy

  • February 2005. Queensland University of Technology: External panel member for development of new architecture for an online environment supporting the Queensland University of Technology Doctor of Education (EdD) program.

Professional Activities

Facilitation of the 2022 and 2020 ACODE Benchmarking Summit (online)

  • In 2022 & 2020 (Aug – Oct) Facilitated the 4th & 5th ACODE Inter-institutional Benchmarking Summit. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this was held fully online. Over this time we have had 44 People, from 16 Australasian Institutions, came together in Microsoft Teams to Benchmark their capacity in technology enhanced learning (TEL).

Facilitation of the 2018 ACODE Benchmarking Summit

  • 2018 (25-27 June) Facilitated the 3rd ACODE Inter-institutional Benchmarking Summit. Held at Griffith University in Brisbane. 48 People, from 24 Australasian Institutions, came together to Benchmark their capacity in technology enhanced learning (TEL).

Co-Facilitation at the ACODE UK 2017 TEL Benchmarking Summit

  • 2017 (11-14 June) Worked with the Open University in the UK to help facilitate the bringing together 30 senior technology enhanced learning (TEL) professionals and decision makers for the first 3 day residential ACODE-UK 2017 TEL Benchmarking Summit to be held at De Vere Horwood Estate, Milton Keynes.

Facilitation of the 2016 ACODE Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Summit

  • 2016 (27-29 June) Facilitated the 2nd ACODE Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Summit. Held at the University of Canberra. 50 people, from 27 universities, from 5 countries, came together to benchmark their capacity in technology enhanced learning (TEL).

ACODE Benchmarks review and Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Summit 2014

  • From February 2014 through to July I facilitated a thorough review of the ACODE Benchmarks. This resulted in the Benchmarks refocusing on technology enhanced learning rather than e-learning. This review culminated in a International inter-institutional benchmarking activity held in Sydney between the 1-3 June at Macquarie University. 22 Institutions participated in this activity form 5 different countries.

ACODE benchmarking activities 2011

  • In May 2011, I hosted at USQ an international inter-institutional benchmarking activity with five other universities (CSU, CQU, UNE, Massey University, NZ and the Sultan Idris Education University of Malaysia). In this activity each university self-rated itself against the ACODE Benchmarks, culminating in a Summit held in Toowoomba. At this Summit each institution shared and compared their results and practices.

International benchmarking learning and teaching

  • In October 2009 I undertook a USQ benchmarking activity with three UK universities, investigating support strategies for online and distance learning. This activity has led to further collaborative projects being established. The institutions visited included the University of Leicester, Open University and Manchester Metropolitan University.

ACODE benchmarking activities 2008

  • In 2008 I lead a team of USQ staff in a benchmarking activity with Deakin University, using the ACODE benchmarks. The resultant report may be accessed from: ACODEBMproject

West Australian inter-institutional benchmarking

  • In December 2008 I conducted benchmarking visits with three universities in Western Australia: Curtin University, Edith Cowen University and Murdoch University. These visits where designed to prioritise key initiatives associated with the Program Revitalisation Project and encourage inter-institutional collaboration.

Leadership Training

ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute (Director)

  • Since 2015 I have been the Director of the ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute. This is a highly engaging and practical professional development program designed for participants to develop a deep understanding of effective leadership in relation to technology enhanced learning in the tertiary education context. The Institute runs every two years.

Conference Organisation

Conference convener for the following activities

  • ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute 2023 Mantra Mooloolaba, Qld, August
  • ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute 2019 Mantra Mooloolaba, Qld, August
  • ACODE Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Summit 2018 Griffith University, Qld, June
  • ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute 2017 Mantra Mooloolaba, Qld, August
  • ACODE Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Summit 2016 University of Canberra, ACT, June
  • ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute 2015 Mantra Mooloolaba, Qld, August
  • ACODE Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Summit 2014 Macquarie University, NSW, June
  • Moodlemoot 2012 Gold Coast Convention Centre, Queensland, July 
  • Exploring New Dimensions: HTML5 in Higher Education, 2012, University of Southern Queensland, November

Participated on Conference organising committees

  • ePortfolio Forum. October 2023. Darwin
  • Blackboard Teaching & Learning Conference APAC 2022, 2021 & 2020. August, Online.
  • The Blackboard Teaching & Learning Conference ANZ 2019 20-22 August, Sydney, NSW.
  • The Blackboard Teaching & Learning Conference ANZ 2018 29 – 31 August, Brisbane, Qld.
  • Moodlemoot 2016 Perth, 27-29 September
  • Moodlemoot 2015 Melbourne, 6-8 July

Funded Research Projects

The following are completed funded research projects:

  • 2019: M.Sankey. ‘COL Benchmarks for Technology-Enabled Learning’. Funded by the Commonwealth of Learning.  
  • 2014: M. Sankey. ‘ACODE Benchmarking review and Inter-Institutional Benchmarking Activity’. Funded by USQ, ACODE and Macquarie University. Total funds available $12,000
  • 2012: M. Sankey and B. Tynan. ‘Students’ experience and expectations of technology survey project’. Funded by the Office of the PVC Learning Teaching and Quality. $12,000
  • 2010: Holt (Deakin), Sankey (USQ), Solomonides (Macquarie), Hicks (Uni Sth Australia) and Louka (RMIT). ALTC Leadership Grant – ‘Building distributed leadership in designing and implementing a quality management framework for Online Learning Environments’. $331,914
  • 2009: M. Sankey, ‘The Professional Development Survey’, Funded bythe USQHuman Resources Department. $10,000
  • 2009: M. Sankey, D. Birch and M. Gardner. ‘Learning impact of multiple representations of content’. Funded by the Faculty of Business Research Committee. $7,000.
  • 2008: M. Sankey, ‘The Program Revitalization Project Research Project’. Funded by the Realizing Our Potential Project. $5,000.
  • 2006: M. Sankey, J. McDonald, J. Lawrence and C. Star. ‘From poison chalice to badge of honour – empowering teachers of first year university courses through communities of practice’. Funded by the Centre for Research & Transformative Pedagogies. $5,000.
  • 2006 Team member supporting the Carrick funded ‘Bridging Gaps in Music Teacher Education: developing exemplary practice models using peer collaboration’, run by Dr Julie Ballantyne, Faculty of Education, Springfield campus. $149,243.00.
  • 2006: M. Sankey and E. Kiernan. ‘First year students’ experience of Transmodal delivery: CMS1000’. Jointly funded by the Faculty of Arts and LTSU Research Committees. $2, 500.
  • 2005:E. Kiernan, J. Laurence and M. Sankey This project aimed to understand the ‘Success of an assessment intervention (preliminary essay plan) in a first year communication course’. Funded by a Faculty of Arts research grant for $2,000.
  • 2005: M. Sankey ‘Multimodal Design for Hybrid Course Materials: Developing and Evaluating a New Paradigm for Course Delivery’. Funded by the Distance and e-Learning Centre. $3,000.
  • 2004:M. Nooriafshar, B. Todhunter and M. Sankey, ‘Designing a Web Enhanced Multimedia Learning Environment (WEMLE) for Project Management”. Funded by a Faculty of Business. $1,600.

Governance Responsibilities (past and present)

The following lists current and recent committee memberships and Chairing responsibilities at CDU, Griffith, WSU and USQ:

Committee Chairing

Current

  • CDU Learning Teaching and Assessment Committee
  • CDU Technology Enhanced Learning Advisory Committee

Previous institutions​​​​​​​

  • Griffith Blackboard Ultra Project Board
  • Griffith MESS Replacement Board
  • Griffith Blackboard SAAS Board
  • Griffith VLE Integrations BoardWSU Student Feedback on Units Working Party
  • WSU Learning Transformation 
  • USQ Learning and Teaching Systems User Reference Group
  • USQ Course and Program Management System (CPMS) Project Board
  • USQ Moodle 2 Project Board
  • USQ ePortfolio Reference Group
  • USQ E-Marking Working Party
  • USQ Virtual Classrooms Working party
  • USQ LTS Workflow and planning Committee

Membership of key committees

Current

  • CDU Academic Board
  • CDU Vice-Chancellors Advisory Committee
  • CDU Academic Programs Committee
  • CDU Academic Integrity Working Group 

Previous Universities

  • Griffith Learning and Teaching Committee
  • Griffith University Assessment Committee
  • Griffith Core Infrastructure Board
  • Course Profiles Board
  • Griffith Digital Campus Board
  • USQ Academic Board
  • WSU Education Committee
  • USQ Learning and Teaching Committee
  • USQ ICT Strategy Committee
  • USQ ICT Business Advisory Committee
  • USQ Online Communications Systems User Reference Group
  • USQ Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement Board
  • USQ Course Materials Production Review Board

Representation

Current

  • Australasian Council on Online Distance and eLearning (ACODE).
    • Also Member of ACODE National Executive and Currently Vice-President

Previous

  • Council of Australian Directors of Academic Development (CADAD).
    • Also member of CADAD National Executive.

In addition

Previous

  • ​​​​​​​Member of the Academic Board, Leaders Institute (2018 – 2021).