Learning and Teaching

Short Course dates

Each course runs over a full 5 days as follows:

8 - 15 January 2019 (5 days; Tue/Wed/Thu, Mon/Tue)

27 August - 03 September, 2019 (5 days; Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri)

This course will help you build a solid foundation to your educational practice, whether you are already experienced or new to teaching in a Higher Education or Professional Education context. It offers opportunities to experience and discuss a wide range of practices and issues around facilitating learning and provides a platform for networking across disciplines and professions.

Furthermore, the Short Course links in to our e-PgCert in Professional and Higher Education. If you intend to progress to the e-PgCert after completing the Short Course, please ensure you apply to join the e-PgCert as soon as possible and before the application deadline. In this case it is best if you do the Short Course in June, as you will then be able to matriculate on the e-PgCert and start the Induction module in August.

This Short Course aims to help you achieve the following:

• A greater understanding of what is involved in learning and teaching
• Increased confidence and control through reflection and discussion
• Improved practice through experience, observation, sharing, reading, reflection and discussion
• relate your learning to your own responsibilities and your own personal development as a teacher in Higher or Professional Education.
• Entry to the e-PgCert / MSc in Professional and Higher Education for those who qualify.

The Short Course programme requires a significant commitment from participants, both in terms of time and effort. Over the five days a sense of familiarity and trust develops that is conducive to open discussion and safe sharing of ideas and practice. If you decide to join the course, we therefore ask you to commit to the full programme. Refreshments (and scones) will be provided to keep you going!

The course fee is based on the current postgraduate module fees. The fee is waived for QMU staff and doctoral students and some members of collaborative partners. If you have any question about fees, please contact us at CapAdmin@qmu.ac.uk.

Register on the short course

Apply for the e-PgCert

(Note for e-PgCert applicants: if you are QMU staff you need not provide academic references with your application, but please ask your line manager to send a supportive email to Admissions).

Some comments from recent Short Course participants:

• “Several different things were in varying ways very interesting – watching teaching practice (others) microteaching; marking/feedback exercise and resulting discussions; working with a very diverse group over four days and experiencing the developing group dynamics”
• “Good opportunity to meet colleagues and share perspectives and discussions on teaching and learning.”
• “All of it was [of] use to me. It made me realise the complexities of integrating learning outcomes, teaching and assessment. I felt all the content was meaningful to me.”
• “Very well organised and very informative.”
• “I hadn't previously considered progressing on to the PG Certificate or Masters courses, but I have been inspired by the module and would now be very keen to do so.”
• “I have learned a great deal and I am taking a lot away with me which will undoubtedly have an impact upon my teaching and marking role.”

Our CPD scheme is accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), offering QMU staff (and collaborative partners teaching on QMU programmes) a route to professional recognition for their role in teaching and supporting student learning.  

The QMU recognition panel will assess and make the recognition decisions in awarding HEA fellowship at three categories: Associate Fellow (D1), Fellow (D2), or Senior Fellow (D3).

For more information on the scheme, visit the (CAP) CPD Scheme area on the Staff Intra-net. (link only accessible from within the QM network).

In addition, the e-PgCert in Professional and Higher Education is also accredited by the HEA. Successful completion of this programme will automatically allow you to be registered as a Fellow of the HEA (subject to a fee to the HEA if your employer is not subscribed to the HEA). Completion of the Education in Action A module by itself will allow you allow you to be registered as an Associate Fellow of the HEA (subject to a fee to the HEA if your employer is not subscribed to the HEA). 

The Centre for Academic Practice has an important role in the development and support of all those who teach and study at QMU. Here we provide links to internal and external resources aimed at supporting Good Practice in teaching and learning.

If you have any queries, please contact us by emailing CapAdmin.

Please note: selecting any of the links below will open a new browser window.

Internal resources

CAP Resources HUB site
The CAP Resources area was developed in order to provide examples of practices that colleagues find to be helpful in supporting student learning and/or effective teaching. There is no consensus on what good practice might be, since it varies so much according to your context, but those who provided examples found these worked for them and we hope they may also be useful for you. (This is available on your list of courses on the HUB)

Enhancement themes
The Enhancement Themes programme is a sector-wide initiative which aims to enhance the student learning experience in Scottish higher education by identifying specific areas (Themes) for development. The Themes encourage academic staff, support staff and students to share current good practice and collectively generate ideas and models for innovation in learning and teaching. QMU activities for the previous and current themes are detailed in these CAP Intranet pages:
http://intranet.qmu.ac.uk/sites/cap/ETP/default.aspx (Note: The staff Intranet is only available from within the QMU network)

External resources

Enhancement Themes (QAA website)
The Enhancement Themes programme is a sector-wide initiative which aims to enhance the student learning experience in Scottish higher education by identifying specific areas (Themes) for development. Support for the Enhancement Themes is provided by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Scotland (QAA Scotland).
http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/ (This link opens in a new window)

The Higher Education Academy
The HEA provide services to the higher education sector and you will find a wealth of information and resources on their web pages:
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ (This link opens in a new window)

Vitae
Vitae is an organisation dedicated to realising the potential of researchers through transforming their professional and career development. Vitae bring together all those with a stake in realising the potential of researchers. They help to establish partnerships to champion the needs of researchers and demonstrate their impact on economies and society. Vitae works to develop policy and practice in order to effect real and lasting change. Vitae provide online information, advice and resources for higher education institutions and researchers on professional development and careers.
https://www.vitae.ac.uk/