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Enhancing the student experience

1 October 2008

Dr Elizabeth Yuriev
Dr Elizabeth Yuriev

Dr Elizabeth Yuriev from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is passionate and enthusiastic about teaching. She strives for excellence and inspires her students to do the same.

Dr Yuriev has been recognised for her dedication with a 2008 Australian Learning and Teaching Council citation.

Commencing in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry in 1997, Dr Yuriev's teaching philosophy is centred on helping students to learn, focusing on students' understanding of material, and de-emphasising "fact" in favour of "concept".

"I aim to motivate students to learn independently and instil in them a lifelong love of learning. I myself am eager to learn and develop as a teacher," Dr Yuriev said.

"I firmly believe that the content has to be delivered in an engaging and enjoyable manner and needs to relate to students' everyday experiences.

"My lectures include structural animations of drug molecules, movies and web-based materials.

"I also use everyday examples to assist students to master difficult intangible concepts and bring complex chemical concepts to life.

"For instance, when first teaching spectroscopic properties (colour) of transition metals and their relationship to electronic structure, I decided to use imagery such as Tiffany lamps, Venetian glass jewellry, my own ceramics pieces, and nail polish bottles -- students had no problem grasping the material."

Dr Yuriev said a "one size fits all" approach to education was detrimental to students.

"My teaching material is structured in such a way that the 'required', 'additional', and 'challenging' sections are clearly delineated, allowing students to study it at their own pace and to focus on issues that are of more interest to them," Dr Yuriev said.

"This student-centred method stimulates students to deal with the material in a flexible, independent, self-directed manner."

Dr Yuriev said she remained constantly aware of a need to help students open up so they become comfortable with the learning and teaching process.

"I want the students to get the most out of their university experience. I maintain an open-door policy and encourage them to come to me with any questions or concerns," Dr Yuriev said.

"I also encourage students to ask questions in lectures or tutorials, which could be very difficult for some students from sheltered or otherwise restrictive backgrounds.

"There are never any stupid questions; I'm a firm believer that if you are thinking it, chances are half the class has the same question!"