Darina Norwood
Position
Learning Advisor
Qualifications
- Certificate of Education (University of Bristol)
- Diploma of Teaching (New Zealand Department of Education)
- Cambridge RSA Certificate, Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adult Learners (University of Queensland)
- Certificate in Specific Learning Disabilities (Seabrook McKenzie Centre, Christchurch)
Room
75 Clyde Road, Room 103
Contact Details
Phone: +64 3 364 2987 ext 3058
Email: darina.norwood@canterbury.ac.nz
Postal address:
Learning Skills Centre
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Background
Darina has extensive teaching experience in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Part of her work has involved teaching non-English speaking background students in multicultural environments. She is the tutor for the Te Puna Manawa programme and supports undergraduate students in collaborative learning through informal, interactive workshops. She also offers general academic writing and study skills support for students with specific learning difficulties, and is a trained tutor in SLD, running the “Steps to Success” workshops.
Darina is the co-designer and teacher of the Academic Writing Assessment programme (AWA), which is an entry requirement for Engineering Intermediate. The online diagnostic aims to provide a clear evaluation of students’ level of English and writing proficiency, and the follow-up workshops address students’ academic needs and provide opportunities for improving advanced communication skills.
Research Interests
- Collaborative learning and scaffolding teaching strategies
- Diagnostic assessment