Professional Activities

PgC LTHE - FAQs

Why should I take this qualification?

All new lecturing staff at GCU are required by Contract of Employment (HE2000) to undertake a required accredited teaching course of study with a view to attaining membership of the HEA (Higher Education Academy) during their probationary period. Gaining the qualification will also help you become more professional in your approach to learning and teaching and equip you with the skills to facilitate student learning in the complex and changing environment of Higher Education.

How do I get the qualification?

You will complete a themed work-based Learning Contract over a maximum period of 2.5 years (you may complete in a shorter period) during which time you will assemble a portfolio of evidence and reflection for assessment, based on the work you carry out as a teacher in Higher Education.

Is the PgC LTHE just like a normal taught programme?

No, a Learning Contract is quite different from a traditional taught programme. It is more like a research-based degree or qualification but, in this case, the learning takes place from opportunities, experience and resources located in the workplace. Because of the practical nature of work-based learning, your learning will not take place through fixed modules or in a traditional classroom setting. Instead you will learn through performing your normal daily work while at the same time carrying out independent study assigned by the University, which in turn is applied back into your working environment.

What resources are available to help me achieve the qualification?

You will be allocated a supervisory team comprising: Director of Studies, a Workplace Mentor, and Supervisors for the two learning goals of the programme. Your Spervisory Team will provide guidance, support and advice to help you complete the programme. In addition you will have access to a number of other resources including:

• Traditional, face-to-face workshops
• Core texts and reading materials
• Paper-based and on-line resources (e.g. Study Guides/Packs, Subject Guides etc.)
• Peer Support Networks (e.g. Action Learning Sets etc.)
• You will also be encouraged to make use of other planned learning experiences such as short courses, seminars or conferences to help you complete the programme
• Blackboard site including discussion forum.

You will also be encouraged to make use of other planned learning experiences such as short courses, seminars or conferences to help you complete the programme.

How long will the course take?

Completing the qualification should normally take around 2.5 years on a part-time basis, and should be substantially shorter for full-time staff.

Who can register for the programme?

All recently appointed lecturers are eligible to register for the programme. It is also possible to register if you are employed in lecturing or teaching within the University on a part-time basis, including teaching staff who support students in a clinical setting. Part-time lectures must have sufficient teaching and learning opportunities to achieve the learning outcomes of the programme - contact the Programme Director if you you need to clarify this before applying.

What do I need to do to get started?

First of all you will be invited to an informal interview with the Programme Director where you will learn more about the structure of the programme and you will then be invited to register (if you have not already done so). You will require to submit form ULCF1 at this stage. You will be offered a place on the programme and must accept in writing and subsequently self register using the University's online registration procedure.

Together with the rest of the cohort of students embarking on the programme, you will be invited to a series of Reflective Practice and Planning workshops which will support you as you work through Learning Goal A: Reflective Practice and Planning (10 credits).

In conjunction with your Learning Goal A Supervisor, you will undertake sufficient work to produce a Reflective Report for assessment purposes. Additionally you will draw up, supported by both your Learning Goal A Supervisor and your Workplace Mentor, your own personal Learning Contract, based around the learning objectives specified in the PgC LTHE themed contract. In the Learning Contract, you will agree the learning activities you need to undertake to achieve the specified learning objectives. You will also state how the achievement of these objectives will be assessed. This means that although everyone on the programme will be working towards the same objectives, the way in which each person reaches and demonstrates achievement of these will be different, and will be based around the work they actually carry out within their discipline as a teacher in Higher Education. During Learning Goal A you will devise an individual Activity Plan setting out how you plan to achieve the objectives of Learning Goal B. More general details about work-based learning and Learning Contracts can be found at:http://www.scwbl.gcal.ac.uk/

Updated: 14 April, 2008 | Site editor | Legal