WORKSHOP: Foundations of University Teaching & Learning

Intended Audience: The Foundations of University Teaching and Learning programme is offered every semester to support staff relatively new to the University as well as staff with teaching experience who wish to refine, test out, validate or develop their present conceptions of good teaching and their current teaching practice. The programme is taught either as a semester long programme or in an intensive mode (being offered for the first time in 2011), both programmes involve equivalent time and have equivalent outcomes. The intensive mode is only available in second semester. The programme is open to academic, general and research staff who may be involved in teaching. Preference is given to staff teaching during the semester. New academic staff members are expected to attend this programme as outlined in their letters of offer of appointment.

Programme Description: Foundations of University Teaching and Learning is designed to offer an integrated and highly interactive perspective on teaching in a research-intensive university. The programme provides a theoretical framework relating to teaching and learning, along with opportunities to explore a range of teaching and learning strategies. Participants explore these approaches in terms of their own teaching context, while also sharing common issues across the group. In addition to staff from the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, guest presenters from across the University contribute to the programme, further enriching the learning experience.

Programme Components: The programme commences with an intensive three-day workshop prior to the start of semester. This is followed either by a series of regular meetings during the semester, or a 2nd intensive 2 day workshop at the end of the semester, when participants have opportunities to reflect on their teaching practice as well as investigate topical, relevant and current issues. In addition there is an online component. Participants are also expected to complete some ‘out-of-class’ activities and may be required to complete a Supervising Postgraduate Students workshop as part of the programme.