Course description
The Graduate Certificate of University Teaching aims to prepare academic staff for university teaching, through a combination of research-based, theoretical seminars and reflective practice, guided by experts in the field of teaching and learning. It will explore the principles of effective teaching and learning in a range of contexts and formats, covering topics including large and small group teaching, assessment, evaluation, effective use of information and communication technology , curriculum design and cultural diversity. It will offer participants opportunities to work in groups and online, and to undertake a small research project designed to enhance their teaching and to be of benefit to their department. Participants must be engaged in teaching in higher education and will normally take the course part-time, over two years.
Objectives:
The course aims to prepare academic staff for university teaching, through a combination of research-based, theoretical seminars and reflective practice, guided by experts and advisers. At the conclusion of the course, participants will have developed:
* a critical understanding of the principles of effective teaching for learning in higher education;
* knowledge of some of the key research relating to teaching and learning at this level, and the major debates in the area;
* familiarity with the resources available to support teaching in higher education;
* a student-centred perspective on the nature of teaching and learning;
* an understanding of learning environments at the University of Melbourne, and of teaching approaches appropriate to those environments, as articulated in the Nine Principles;
* skills in large and small group teaching procedures, and in the use of e-learning processes and practices;
* an understanding of the place of assessment in educational programs, and skills in using assessment procedures to enhance learning;
* curriculum design skills;
* awareness of innovative teaching procedures and confidence in experimenting with new approaches;
* an understanding of how information and communication technologies can be used to enhance and enrich student learning, and skills in designing programs which incorporate these technologies; skills of effective communication, both oral and written, with students of different backgrounds and needs;
* a readiness to reflect on their own teaching practice and to use this reflection as a means of continuous improvement; team -work skills.
An applicant may be eligible for entry into the Graduate Certificate of University Teaching if the applicant has:
* Completed a bachelor's degree (in any discipline) and
* Current employment at a university, with teaching responsibilities (full-time, part-time or sessional)
