Christopher Sexton

To address the 2019 theme "creativity' for UQ Teaching and Learning Week we highlighted some of the innovative teachers who enhance student learning in UQ's Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences.

Q&A with Christopher Sexton 

1. What kind of innovative teaching and learning practices do you incorporate?

I incorporate technology and small group work activities within my teaching to encourage student participation and engagement. Methods that I have used to achieve this include: small and large group Padlet activities; quick game-based multi-choice quizzes; class polls of focus questions; and discussion boards for students to post and respond to questions during  the learning activity. 

2.  How do you hope to influence the student experience at UQ?

I recognise that the students that I teach do not learn in isolation from their outside lives as they each have unique backgrounds and aspirations. Further, dentistry has high demands on the students’ time, so they often require flexibility and support during their studies. 

3. What do you enjoy about teaching students?

I enjoy the everyday interactions with the students that I have taught. I like talking to students about their background and interests outside of the lecture theatres and classrooms, and understanding their approach to learning.  One of the courses that I coordinate is focused on professional practice and so I like to hear about their plans for the future and what they hope to achieve in the dental profession.

4. What are your career highlights so far?

A recent highlight is my participation in the UQ2U program. I have wanted to deliver a course that offers flexible engagement opportunities and I am looking forward to the first cohort of students to experience this course in its updated format.