Professional Activities

The PgC in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PgC LTHE)

The Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LTHE) is a programme of work-based learning and study specifically designed to meet the needs of new lecturers at GCU. This 60-credit post graduate qualification is offered to all new, inexperienced full-time lecturing staff and has been designed to develop professionals who are reflective in their approach to learning and teaching and who are well equipped to facilitate student learning in the complex and changing environment of higher education. Successful achievement of this award leads to eligibility as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)(view application form), the professional body for lecturers in the HE sector.

For those members of staff who are in a student support role but who have no responsibility for teaching or assessment the first module only may be taken to achieve a Post Experience Certificate in Supporting Student Learning. Successful achievement of this award leads to eligibility as an Associate of the HEA.

In particular the programme aims to provide staff teaching at GCU with opportunities to:

• identify and explore current issues in, and approaches to, teaching, learning and assessment in higher education and, more specifically, curriculum design, implementation and evaluation in their own discipline;
• enhance and update their knowledge and skills as educators through engaging in action research to enhance their own practice;
• identify assumptions and conceptual frameworks underlying curriculum planning and teaching activities;
• critically reflect on their teaching and related practices;
• gain an accredited award which recognises the skills and knowledge acquired;
• gain professional recognition and accreditation.

Programme Structure:

The programme comprises two work based learning modules:

Module1:

Supporting Student Learning in Higher Education (20M credits)

Prerequisite: Degree. Working in learner/student support, or teaching role.

Exit Award: Post Experience Certificate in Supporting Student Learning

Duration: 1 semester (commences Semester B)

Time commitment: Approx 9 hours per week

Learning and Taaching Strategy:

Workshops, participant-led action learning sets, independent learning, work based learning.

Assessment Methodology:

Each participant will individually negotiate an action research project focussing on one of the following:

• Designing effective learning environments
• Planning/designing learning activities
• Providing effectie student support and guidance

Plus:

• Consideration of own current role identity and analysis of CPD needs.

Theoretical base:

Introduction to Action Research, Reflective Practice, Theories of adult Learning, Theories of Motivation, Quality Assurance and Enhancement.

Module 2:

Enhancing Learning, Teaching and Assessment in Higher Education (40M credits)

Prerequisite: Supporting Student Learning Module or equivalent. Working in a teaching and assessment role.

Exit Award: Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in HE (PgC LTHE)

Leads to eligibility as: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Learning and Taaching Strategy:

Workshops, participant-led action learning sets, independent learning, work based learning.

Assessment Methodology:

Each participant will individually negotiate an action research project focussing on all of the following:

• Designing effective learning environments (including utilising learning technologies)
• Planning/designing learning activities
• Curriculum design
• Teaching strategies and practice
• Assessment strategies and practice
• Quality Assurance and Enhancement
• Professional Values as set out in the UK Professional Standards Framework for learning and teaching in Higher Education

Theoretical Base:

Experiential learning and reflective practice, action research methodology, professional values, learning, teaching and assessment methodologies and strategies, curriculum design, regulatory frameworks and bodies, learning technologies.

For further information please contact the Programme Leader: Alison Nimmo a.nimmo@gcal.ac.uk

Updated: 23 October, 2008 | Site editor | Legal