PGRs that teach

The Introduction to Teaching and Demonstrating (ITAD) course is an open and flexible course designed for anyone who is, or intends to be, involved in the provision and support of teaching and learning in Higher Education. This might include, but is not limited to, Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs, Sessional Teachers, Demonstrators, Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), Library Staff, Technical Staff, Academic Developers, and Learning Technologists. Typical ITAD participants might be delivering lectures, demonstrating in practical or field classes, designing and/or creating learning resources, running training courses, or supporting others in any of the above. You do not need to be actively involved in teaching currently to be eligible for ITAD, so if you are interested but have any doubt regarding your potential participation, please do not hesitate to get in touch (kiite@keele.ac.uk).

The following individuals are required to complete the ITAD course prior to the commencement of teaching/demonstrating duties or alongside their first semester of teaching/demonstrating, unless granted formal exemption by the Head of School:

• Demonstrators (staff and Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs) that support student learning in laboratory, practical and field-based settings);
• PGRs that undertake other teaching duties (e.g. leading seminars and lectures);
• Other sessional staff who undertake teaching duties; and,
• Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) who are not undertaking the EDU-40128 Teaching Reflectively in Higher Education module.

Heads of School, or a chosen representative, may formally authorise an exemption from Pathway 1 (see Course Pathways) of the ITAD course based on one or both of the following criteria:

1. Significant prior teaching experience in HE; or,
2. Completion of formal training related to learning and teaching in HE within the last 2 years.

In these circumstances, the Head of School, or their chosen representative will need to email kiite@keele.ac.uk.

The ITAD runs twice per year, with start dates in October and January. A maximum of 30 participants can be accommodated each semester. Priority will be given to individuals who are required to complete the course as part of their teaching responsibilities.

To register your interest in participating in the course here.

The course comprises five compulsory workshops:

Workshop 1: Introduction to the Course & Becoming a Reflective Teacher

• Course Induction
• The Keele Teaching Context, including central support services available
• AdvanceHE and the UKPSF
• The Reflective Portfolio Assignment
• And Introduction to Reflective Teaching and Teaching Evaluation

Workshop 2: Education for Sustainability and Decolonising Your Curricula

• What is ‘Education for Sustainability’? What does ‘Decolonising the Curriculum’ mean?
• Why are these topics important and how might you begin to implement them in your own teaching?

Workshop 3: Practical Teaching

• Small Group Teaching vs. Large Group Teaching – how to maximise effectiveness of teaching practice and develop engaging learning environments
• What makes a good demonstrator?
• Strategies for addressing different scenarios and situations which may arise in the classroom, laboratory, field, etc

Workshop 4: Assessment, Marking, and Feedback

• Designing assessments – Validity, Transparency, Authenticity, and Manageability
• Marking student work and providing constructive feedback

Workshop 5: Wrapping Up and Where To Go Next?

• Revisiting the Reflective Portfolio Assignment
• Where to go next. What are your options for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The ITAD course has two pathways for you to choose from, depending on the nature of your teaching responsibilities:

Pathway 1: Non-Accredited

Pathway 1 is intended for participants who do not have significant teaching or teaching-related duties associated with their current role. As such, there are no specific requirements for participation on Pathway 1. If you are currently engaged in any form of teaching activity, or you intend to be in the future, then you are welcome to sign up for this pathway. This route requires you to attend all five of the course workshops in the correct order, and submit a portfolio comprising the following components:

• Section 1: Teaching Diary (1,000 to 1,500 words)
• Section 2: Guided Reading Questions (700 to 1,000 words)
• Section 3: Peer Observation Feedback Form and Reflection (Appx. 300 words)

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion from KIITE, and your Keele People Training Record will be updated accordingly. Where relevant (e.g. PGR students), you can also use this course towards 30 hours of your non-subject-specific Ph.D training hours.

Pathway 2: AdvanceHE Accredited

Pathway 2 is only available to those who have current teaching or teaching-related responsibilities, as the opportunity to reflect on, and be observed during, your own teaching is a fundamental requirement for the course assessment. It is expected that any participant on Pathway 2 will be able to evidence at least 25 hours of teaching responsibilities upon which they can reflect as part of the course (approx. 2 hours per week over one semester). These responsibilities include provision of teaching and teaching support and include (but are not limited to) lecturing, running practical classes, demonstrating, supervising project students, and delivery of seminars. This route requires you to attend all five of the course workshops in the correct order, and submit a portfolio comprising the following components:

• Section 1: Teaching Diary (1,000 to 1,500 words)
• Section 2: Design Your Own Teaching Session (Appx. 1,000 words)
• Section 3: Peer Observation Feedback Form and Reflection (Appx. 300 words)
• Section 4: Final Reflection on the Course (Appx. 500 words)

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be eligible for Associate Fellowship with AdvanceHE (AFHEA). You will receive a certificate of completion from KIITE, and your Keele People Training Record will be updated accordingly. Where relevant (e.g. PGR students), you can also use this course towards 30 hours of your non-subject-specific Ph.D training hours.

If you have any questions, or are unsure which pathway is right for you, please get in touch (kiite@keele.ac.uk).

The ITAD course is assessed via a Reflective Portfolio Assignment, which ranges from approximately 2,000 to 3,500 words in length depending on which of the two ITAD pathways you have selected (see Course Pathways).

There are two deadlines for portfolio submission each year, one in January and one in April.

All individuals undertaking this course are required to participate in peer review of teaching/demonstrating in order to successfully complete the full course and portfolio. This will involve observing others teach and being observed teaching where applicable.

Successful completion of ITAD is recorded against individuals’ Keele People training record and all individuals will receive a certificate of completion from Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence (KIITE) for their records. In addition Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs) may use this course towards 30 hours of their non-subject specific research training hours.

Participants on Pathway 2 of the course will receive all of the above but will also be eligible for Associate Fellowship with AdvanceHE (AFHEA).

Undertaking this course not only provides useful support and development opportunities for those new to teaching, but also demonstrates commitment to professional teaching practice, acts as evidence of formal training related to higher education teaching and learning, and provides a means of gaining recognition for your teaching and teaching-support activities.