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- Post Graduate Researchers that Teach
Teaching Support offered to Postgraduate Research Students
Whereever possible, Schools and Faculties seek to provide the opportunity and concomitant support for Keele postgraduate students to undertake some teaching duties. For many, this experience is an early taste of an academic career and offers an insight to one area of possible future employment. The Learning and Professional Development Centre (LPDC) offers a range of teaching development opportunities including options designed for postgraduate students. You need to be undertaking some teaching or learner support work to do some of the courses offered. This is clearly indicated where these courses are described here.
Introduction to Teaching
A short course designed for those new to teaching who want to develop confidence and skills in classroom practice within small group and lecture settings. The course requires attendance at four sessions, includes micro-teaching, and requires the completion of short portfolio for the award of 15 credits within the research training framework. No teaching experience is necessary.
The course runs from October- December with a portfolio submission deadline in January. When there is sufficient demand, the course is repeated, from February- April with a portfolio submission deadline in May.
For further information please contact: Jenny Smith (LPDC), Bill Dixon (Sociology and Criminology), Susan Bruce (Humanities) and Kelvin Johnstone (Law).
To register your interest in attending, please contact the Faculty Research Office at humanities.phd@keele.ac.uk or socialsciences.phd@keele.ac.uk
Demonstrator Training
A short course designed for those working in laboratory, practical and field-based settings to support student learning. The course involves attendance at three sessions, includes microteaching, and requires the completion of a short portfolio for the award of 10 credits within the research training framework. Attendees need to be undertaking demonstrating duties during the academic year to complete the portfolio for credit.
The course runs from October- May with a portfolio submission deadline in June.
For further information please contact: Jenny Smith (LPDC), Nigel Cassidy (Physical and Geographical Sciences).
To register your interest in attending, please contact Ann Billington at a.billington@keele.ac.uk
Teaching Reflectively in Higher Education
Where the Head of School and supervisor/PI can actively support a commitment of 300 hours of learning effort, postgraduate students may register to study this 30 credit level 7 module offered by the LPDC and the School of Public Policy and Professional Practice. Participants must have past or concurrent teaching experience to meet the expectations of the course assessment.
Participants who pass the assessment are eligible to apply for, and receive, automatic Associate Fellowship status of the Higher Education Academy www.highereducationacademy.ac.uk
The course starts in September with a compulsory two day intensive and sessions then run each Wednesday afternoon until mid-December. A portfolio is submitted for assessment in mid-January[1]. As well as covering practical skills, the course focuses on developing the abilities of participants to use critical incidents and structured reflection to evaluate ‘what is really going on’ in the diverse business of teaching and learning in higher education.
For further information please contact: Sally Findlow (Public Policy and Professional Practice)
To register your interest in attending, please contact Learning and Professional Development Centre (LPDC), email lpdc@keele.ac.uk.
[1] The module is part of the accredited postgraduate certificate programme, Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Assessed work is submitted to the Exam Board in September which confers the award of credit.
What is microteaching?
Microteaching is an organised teaching practice to an audience of peers who provide feedback and discussion (see http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/html/icb.topic58474/microteaching.html): it aims to build confidence and skill in presenting material and working with learners. At Keele, we run microteaching sessions in the LPDC rooms, across the campus, and include session recordings for self-reflection and portfolio development.
Other central teaching and learning support
Through-out the year, the Learning and Professional Development Centre offers workshops, seminars and on-request support for colleagues to explore, develop and discuss teaching practices. This includes support with online learning development and delivery and the annual Teaching Symposium. There are also a series of resources available either to download or request from the Centre here
The Higher Education Academy
The Higher Education Academy, based in York, champions excellent learning and teaching in Higher Education. They provide a range of services to individuals and to University subscribers to support the higher education community. For example, providing grants and funding for innovations and projects to improve student learning, by bringing together people and resources to research and share best practice, and by helping to influence, shape and implement policy. You can find out about the full range of Academy services at: www.heacademy.ac.uk
