Professor Si Bedford

Professor Si Bedford

PVC Learning Futures,
Office of the PVC, Learning Futures

Head of Teaching and Curriculum,
Teaching & Curriculum

Biography

Simon Bedford’s passion for curriculum transformation comes from his life-long belief in supporting students to create their own roadmap through courses of study that too often contain knowledge that is large and nebulous but, has to be learned in order for students to be successful in their chosen discipline area. Simon engaged in collaborative curriculum design and development practice during his time at The University of Bath (UK) as a Director of Teaching where he encouraged the adoption of a holistic course approach to student learning with constructive alignment at its foundation. Here he was able to lead a curriculum embedded approach to work integrated learning (WIL) and personal and professional development (PDP) that students require to become the professionals of the future. This is also where his interest in assessment and feedback and quality assurance was sown during his work on the new framework for assessment policy (NFA). This focus continued at the University of Wollongong (AUS) where as head of curriculum design and development he led on key learning, teaching and curriculum policy reviews, their successful deployment into teaching practice, and evidencing that impact on the student learning experience by developing near synchronous Learning Analytics and post-declaration Data for QA methods. 

Simon Bedford now leads the Learning Futures Team contribution to Western Sydney University 21st Century Curriculum project and the collaborative delivery of new staff development programs to support the design and implementation of that curriculum with in new technology enabled learning spaces.

 As a researcher in the field of higher education, Simon currently supervises HDR students all drawing on a range of conceptual frameworks, methodologies and methods in the areas of learning analytics, assessment literacies, and curriculum design. He has helped to drive several national projects including Institutional External Referencing of Assessment Standards (ERoS), OLT Inter-institutional collaboration through delivering formative assessment in large STEM classes, and OLT Assessing Assessments against threshold learning outcomes. Simon is leader of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) group looking at assessment quality and is working with Council of Australasian University Leaders in Learning and Teaching (CAULLT) on a national peer review of assessments project. He has been recognised for his achievements with Vice Chancellor Outstanding contributions to learning and teaching, and Australian Awards for University teaching (AAUT).

This information has been contributed by Professor Bedford.

Qualifications

  • PGCert The Open University
  • PGCertEd Nottingham University
  • PhD Nottingham University

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • Office of the PVC, Learning Futures
  • Teaching & Curriculum

Contact

Email: S.Bedford@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9678 7178, 9462
Mobile: 0449533379
Location: K.2.52
Penrith (Kingswood)

PLEASE NOTE: obtaining information from this Directory must be for the legitimate purposes of doing business with and within Western Sydney University, and must not be used for unsolicited bulk e-mailing (spamming) or similar purposes.

Publications

Books

  • Walker, R. and Bedford, S. (2017), 'Research and Development in Higher Education: Curriculum Transformation. Volume 40', : Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia 9780994554666.

Chapters in Books

  • Bedford, S. and Bell, K. (2019), 'Curriculum transformation for graduate connectedness and employability : perspectives from the University of Wollongong', Higher Education and the Future of Graduate Employability: A Connectedness Learning Approach, Edward Elgar Publishing 9781788972604.
  • Schmid, S., Schultz, M., Priest, S., O'Brien, G., Pyke, S., Bridgeman, A., Lim, K., Southam, D., Bedford, S. and Jamie, I. (2016), 'Assessing the assessments : development of a tool to evaluate assessment items in chemistry according to learning outcomes', Technology and Assessment Strategies for Improving Student Learning in Chemistry, ACS Publications 9780841231818.
  • Lawrie, G., Wright, A., Schultz, M., Dargaville, T., Tasker, R., Williams, M., Bedford, S., O'Brien, G. and Thompson, C. (2015), 'Closing the loop : a model for inter-institutional collaboration through delivering formative assessment in large, first-year STEM classes', Transforming Institutions: Undergraduate STEM Education for the 21st Century, Purdue University Press 9781557537249.

Journal Articles

  • Downie, S., Gao, X., Bedford, S., Bell, K. and Kuit, T. (2021), 'Technology enhanced learning environments in higher education : a cross-discipline study on teacher and student perceptions', Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, vol 18, no 4 .
  • Tee, L., Serrano Santos, J., Seaman, K., Sim, T., Bedford, S. and Tee, L. (2021), 'Making curriculum visible through a multi-dimensional, interactive curriculum map, MyCourseMap', Revue Internationale des Technologies en Pedagogie Universitaire, vol 18, no 3 , pp 53 - 72.
  • Bedford, S., Bissoonauth, A., James, K. and Stace, R. (2020), 'Developing a peer supported feedback model that enhances oral proficiency in French', Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, vol 17, no 5 .
  • Sefcik, L., Bedford, S., Czech, P., Smith, J. and Yorke, J. (2018), 'Embedding external referencing of standards into higher education : collaborative relationships are the key', Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, vol 43, no 1 , pp 45 - 57.
  • Schultz, M., Lawrie, G., Bailey, C., Bedford, S., Dargaville, T., O'Brien, G., Tasker, R., Thompson, C., Williams, M. and Wright, A. (2017), 'Evaluation of diagnostic tools that tertiary teachers can apply to profile their students' conceptions', International Journal of Science Education, vol 39, no 5 , pp 565 - 586.
  • Fildes, K., Kuit, T., O'Brien, G., Keevers, L. and Bedford, S. (2015), 'Leading the way : changing the focus from teaching to learning in large subjects with limited budgets', Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, vol 43, no 2 , pp 88 - 99.
  • Lawrie, G., Wright, A., Schultz, M., Dargaville, T., O'Brien, G., Bedford, S., Williams, M., Tasker, R., Dickson, H. and Thompson, C. (2013), 'Using formative feedback to identify and support first year chemistry students with missing or misconceptions : a practice report', International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, vol 4, no 2 , pp 111 - 116.
  • Bedford, S. and O'Brien, G. (2012), 'A view of first year transition from Down Under', New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences, vol 8 , pp 53 - 57.
  • Bedford, S. and Legg, S. (2007), 'Formative peer and self feedback as a catalyst for change within science teaching', Chemistry Education Research and Practice, vol 8, no 1 , pp 80 - 92.
  • Bedford, S. and Mason, J. (2007), 'How to impart tacit knowledge : "blending chess and chemistry"', New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences, vol 3 , pp 59 - 63.
  • Bedford, S., Bell, K., Bennett, F., Hayes, C., Knight, D. and Shaw, D. (1999), 'Model studies of the overall 5-endo-trig iodocyclization of homoallylic alcohols', Journal of the Chemical Society. Perkin Transactions 1, vol 15 , pp 2143 - 2153.
  • Bedford, S., Fenton, G., Knight, D. and Shaw, D. (1996), 'On the stereoselection of iodolactonizations of 3-silyloxyalk-5-enoic acids', Journal of the Chemical Society. Perkin Transactions 1, vol 13 , pp 1505 - 1509.
  • Bedford, S., Quarterman, C., Rathbone, D., Slack, J., Griffin, R. and Stevens, M. (1996), 'Synthesis of water-soluble prodrugs of the cytotoxic agent Combretastatin A4', Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, vol 6, no 2 , pp 157 - 160.
  • Bennett, F., Bedford, S., Bell, K., Fenton, G., Knight, D. and Shaw, D. (1992), 'Iodine-induced cyclisations of (E)- and (Z)-3-hydroxy-5-alkenoates : stereoselective approaches to trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans', Tetrahedron Letters, vol 33, no 43 , pp 6507 - 6510.
  • Bedford, S., Bell, K., Fenton, G., Hayes, C., Knight, D. and Shaw, D. (1992), 'Iodoetherification of homoallylic alcohols : a stereoselective approach to tetrahydrofurans', Tetrahedron Letters, vol 33, no 43 , pp 6511 - 6514.
  • Bedford, S., Fenton, G., Knight, D. and Shaw, D. (1992), 'Stereoselection in iodolactonisations of 3-silyloxy-5-alkenoic acids', Tetrahedron Letters, vol 33, no 43 , pp 6505 - 6506.
  • Bedford, S., Begley, M., Cornwall, P. and Knight, D. (1991), 'A brief and mild method for the generation of Benzofuran-2,3-xylylene in solution', Synlett, vol 1991, no 9 , pp 627 - 629.

Conference Papers

  • Schultz, M., O'Brien, G., Schmid, S., Lawrie, G., Southam, D., Priest, S., Lim, K., Pyke, S., Bedford, S. and Jamie, I. (2019), 'Improving the assessment of transferable skills in chemistry through evaluation of current practice', IUPAC International Conference on Chemistry Education, University of Sydney.
  • Bedford, S. and Dimeska, R. (2017), 'Assuring health and safety learning outcomes for science, medicine and health faculty stakeholders by using a hybrid learning and hurdle assessment pedagogy', New Zealand Tertiary Learning and Teaching Conference, Auckland, N.Z..
  • Bedford, S. and O'Brien, G. (2017), 'Curriculum transformation : creating an alternative pathway in first year chemistry', New Zealand Tertiary Learning and Teaching Conference, Auckland, N.Z..
  • Bedford, S. and Dimeska, R. (2017), 'Big data : maximising the teaching and learning opportunities for higher education science students', UniServe Science Conference, Clayton, Vic..
  • Schmid, S., Pyke, S., Priest, S., O'Brien, G., Southam, D., Schultz, M., Lim, K., Lawrie, G., Bedford, S., Jamie, I. and Bridgeman, A. (2017), 'Assessing the assessments : what have we learned?', UniServe Science Conference, Clayton, Vic..
  • Bedford, S. and O'Brien, G. (2017), 'Curriculum transformation : creating an alternative pathway in first year chemistry', UniServe Science Conference, Clayton, Vic..
  • Bedford, S. and O'Brien, G. (2017), 'Curriculum transformation : creating an alternative pathway in first year chemistry', Higher Education and Development Society of Australasia. Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Bedford, S., Bissoonauth, A., James, K. and Stace, R. (2017), 'A hybrid learning framework for building student assessment literacy and improving oral communication skills in second language acquisition', Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia. Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Bedford, S., Dimeska, R. and Chylinski, M. (2016), 'Assuring health and safety learning outcomes for S.M.A.H faculty stakeholders by using a hybrid learning and hurdle assessment pedagogy', UniServe Science Conference, Brisbane, Qld..
  • Bedford, S., Vickers, R., Purdy, E. and Sullivan, J. (2016), 'Maximising the teaching and assessment opportunities for higher education students : data driven decision making for quality assurance purposes', UniServe Science Conference, Brisbane, Qld..
  • Schmid, S., Bedford, S., Bridgeman, A., O'Brien, G., Jamie, I., Lawrie, G., Lim, K., Priest, S., Pyke, S., Schultz, M. and Southam, D. (2015), 'Transforming assessment practice : evidencing and benchmarking student learning outcomes in chemistry', UniServe Science Conference, Perth, W.A..
  • Lawrie, G., Micallef, A., Bailey, C., Al Mamun, M., Wright, A., Schultz, M., Dargaville, T., Tasker, R., Williams, M., Bedford, S., O'Brien, G., Dickson, H. and Thompson, C. (2014), 'Laying out a learning smorgasbord in chemistry : tempting students into finding their own recipe for success', UniServe Science Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • O'Brien, G. and Bedford, S. (2014), 'Creating a motivating and engaging curriculum by sharing the cognitive load', UniServe Science Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • O'Brien, G. and Bedford, S. (2014), 'Concrete thinking in chemistry for engineering students', UniServe Science Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Monaghan, P., Santos, J. and Bedford, S. (2014), 'Bridging the gap : face-to-face or online?', UniServe Science Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Monaghan, P. and Bedford, S. (2014), 'Running virtual reactions : a reaction predictor app for teaching organic chemistry', UniServe Science Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Bedford, S. and O'Brien, G. (2013), 'The Flat Earth project : motivating students to journey across transitions', UniServe Science Conference, Canberra, A.C.T..
  • Lawrie, G., Tasker, R., Wright, A., O'Brien, G., Bedford, S., Bailey, C., Thompson, C., Dickson, H., Dargaville, T., Schultz, M. and Williams, M. (2013), 'Feedback or feedforward : supporting students with alternate or missing conceptions in chemistry as they transition into tertiary chemistry', UniServe Science Conference, Canberra, A.C.T..
  • O'Brien, G. and Bedford, S. (2012), 'Small group work in large chemistry classes : workshops in first year chemistry', Higher Education Academy (Great Britain). Conference, London, England.
  • Bedford, S., Fildes, K. and O'Brien, G. (2012), 'Chemistry to biology knowledge transfer : does it work? : mapping of TLO's by multi-evaluation techniques', UniServe Science Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Bedford, S. and O'Brien, G. (2011), 'How to make the most of what you have got : peer support, teaching and assessment sessions laid bare in first year chemistry', UniServe Science Conference, Melbourne, Vic..
  • Bedford, S. and O'Brien, G. (2011), 'How to have a good first year experience in chemistry : as easy as from Part A to Part B', UniServe Science Conference, Melbourne, Vic..

Other Publications

  • 2022, 'MyVoice Pulse Survey of WSU Staff: Working Through the COVID-19 Pandemic', Report
  • 2019, 'External Peer Review of Assessment: A Guide to Supporting the External Referencing of Academic Standards', Report
  • 2018, 'Assessing the Assesments: Evidencing and Benchmarking Student Learning Outcomes in Chemistry: Final Report 2018', Report
  • 2016, 'External Referencing of Standards (ERoS): An example of a collaborative end-to-end peer review process for external referencing: Final Project Report', Report

Western Sydney University

Locked Bag 1797
Penrith NSW 2751

Tel: +61 2 9852 5222

ABN 53 014 069 881
CRICOS Provider No: 00917k