Boys in education expert to visit USQ

Addressing the issues surrounding boys' education will be the topic of a series of presentations by boys in education expert Deborah Hartman at USQ this week.

Ms Hartman, who is a leader in the field of boys' education and a published author on the subject, will address USQ staff, students and the community at a number of events on Wednesday 15 August and Friday 17 August 2007.

'On Wednesday Ms Hartman will address fourth year USQ education students to talk to them about what it takes to educate boys, while later that evening the University's corporate club will hear about the importance of boys' education,' marketing manager (school leaver segment) Margo Baas said.

'At a special breakfast organised by USQ and the Toowoomba Education Coalition (TEC) on Friday the general public will get the chance to listen to Ms Hartman, who will give an introduction to boys' education issues.'

With boys' education creating much debate within teaching circles and the community in general, Ms Baas said that it was a great opportunity for people to hear from someone who was vastly experienced in the area.

'Ms Hartman has been an educator for over twenty years and is currently the Manager of Research and Dissemination at the Family Action Centre where she specialises in research and teaching with the Boys in Schools Program,' she said.

'She is also the coordinator of the Graduate Certificate and Masters program in Educating Boys at the University of Newcastle and has several publications, including I can Hardly wait till Monday – Women teachers speak about what works for them and for boys.

'Boys' education is very topical at the moment and through Ms Hartman's presentations we will be given an insight into some of the problems educators face when teaching boys and also effective methods to counteract some of these issues.'

Dealing with school students on a regular basis, Ms Baas said that she was looking forward to getting hints on attracting boys to higher education.

'At USQ there are a much higher number of female students then males and I am interested in finding out the reasons behind that,' she said.

'For teachers and parents as well it will allow them to get a greater understanding of what motivates boys and how to keep them interested in education.'

While the events on Wednesday are by invite only, places are still available for the TEC breakfast on Friday.

For more information on the breakfast contact Margo Baas on 4631 2267.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628