Academic Practice

This course has been designed to support your development as a lecturer new to teaching across the Higher Education spectrum. It provides an opportunity to reflect critically upon your emerging role as part of your institution, to deconstruct challenges to effective learning and teaching and to draw on theory as well as feedback from others – including your students. The design of the course ensures that it is both challenging and enjoyable in equal measures and relevant to your developing professional needs and interests.

The PGCAP comprises of three modules taken sequentially:

• PD7026 – Critical reflections: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
• PD7027 – Enhancing Approaches to Practice: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
• PD7028 – Transforming Professional Practice: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

There is one entry point each academic year (January). Each module is delivered on one set day per week led by experienced lecturers and professional staff across a range of disciplines throughout the University. Assessment is 100% coursework.

Once registered for the PGCAP, you would normally complete this within 18 months of starting. Throughout the duration of the PGCAP it aims:

1. Enable participants to evidence effective professional practice conducive with Descriptor 1 and 2 of the Professional Standards Framework (PSF)
2. Develop critically reflective professionals who draw on research-informed academic practice to impact on the learning experiences of their students.
3. Develop professionals who are responsive to curriculum and assessment change, design and development that supports equity in opportunity for the diverse needs of their student population.
4. Promote educational enquiry in the context of professionals’ own practice that is shared amongst peers and across professional networks.
5. Develop professionals who critically consider various external and institutional factors impacting upon academic practice and from which, plan their own continuing professional development.

Professional recognition (FHEA) is achieved through successful completion of the course.

To enable this, you’ll explore teaching practices in higher education and how these are applicable in your own context. This will actively support you to develop your own philosophical positioning, to establish your own style that is honed by the demands of your discipline and to develop a better understanding of the learning needs of your students influenced by differing learning environments.