The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learing Curriculum & Instructional Development Unit Academic Excellence Through Quality Teaching CIDU Workshops and Seminars
Role of the CIDU The Curriculum & Instructional Development Unit (CIDU), Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL) of The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus was established primarily to provide professional support for faculty members in their efforts to enhance teaching and learning. This Unit is propelled by its strategic aim which is to ensure that the Cave Hill Campus achieves and sustains academic excellence through quality teaching, and the Mission of the University of the West Indies. Mission The Mission of The UWI is: to advance education and create knowledge through excellence in teaching, research, innovation, public service, intellectual leadership and outreach in order to support the inclusive development of the Caribbean region and beyond. 1
About the CIDU Since 2008, the CIDU has been conducting professional development workshops and seminars and engaging in individual consultation to ensure that teaching staff are equipped with the necessary techniques and strategies for enhancing their instructional practice. The CIDU continues to advance the research agenda of the campus by facilitating classroom action research across campus. Although the CIDU s primary focus is that of delivery of the courses associated with the Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (PGCUTL) Programme to lecturers who do not possess a teaching qualification, it recognises that in order to be successful in its objectives, the CIDU must extend its reach to the wider campus community. It is against this background that the CIDU is pleased to present these workshops and seminars which are available to all departments, faculties and units of the Cave Hill Campus and beyond. 2
THE GOALS OF THE CIDU ARE TO: 1. Enhance the teaching quality at Cave Hill by providing formal and informal programmes and activities for the training and certification of lecturers to deliver higher education programmes by Interfacing with teaching staff to develop teaching expertise including training and certification in pedagogy and androgogy. Providing an academic forum for the discussion and sharing of experiences and information on action research, teaching and learning. Encouraging academic presentation, publication and attendance at higher education conferences. 2. Emphasise and support curriculum renewal as a reflective and dynamic process to support educational transformation by Playing a pivotal role in the development of guidelines for the design, implementation, monitoring and renewal of courses and programmes. Providing training sessions on course and programme design and implementation. Offering advice regarding the quality assurance process as it relates to the maintaining of curriculum standards. 3. Assist in the building of capacity for classroom action research and innovation at UWI by Advancing the research agenda of the Cave Hill Campus by engaging teaching staff in classroom action research. Providing a forum for the presentation and discussion of authentic action research on teaching and learning. 4. Enhance learning effectiveness through liaison with students and other partners toward the provision of a more diversified and flexible learning experience by Liaising with the student body as stakeholders in the process of teaching and learning. Providing a conversation forum for discussion of teaching and learning issues between lecturers and student representatives. 5. Foster and support improved quality assurance and academic standards by Offering advice and support to quality assurance systems and procedures as they relate to teaching and learning. Assisting with the design and enforcement of guidelines and measurement standards measurement standards for the quality assurance and quality control of teaching and learning processes. 3
COURSE AND PROGRAMME DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION This workshop aims at preparing teaching staff to design, develop and implement courses and programmes with the learner in mind. It discusses the nature of the learning process as well as teaching and learning strategies. Interpret the regulations of the Academic Quality Assurance Committee (AQAC) when writing course and programme proposals Discuss how students learn Prepare measurable learning objectives using an educational taxonomy Develop course content in accordance with the syllabus requirements Identify appropriate teaching strategies for specific courses Critique behavioural objectives and course proposals and offer suggestions for improvement Examine their courses in relation to students feedback and faculty evaluations Develop a new course or revise or enhance an existing course 4
ASSESSMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION This workshop highlights the importance of writing high quality assessment items, developing mark schemes- rubrics and table of specifications. Identify the lecturer s role in the assessment process Discuss the correct use of various assessment questions and items Identify assessment processes and instruments that will be beneficial to student learning Analyse an examination paper, rubric and table of specifications and offer suggestions for revision 5
WRITING INSTRUCTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ALIGNING ACTIVITIES This workshop is aimed at providing practice in writing learning outcomes and aligning these outcomes with teaching strategies and introducing lecturers to the Academic Quality Assurance Committee s guidelines for Course Design. Interpret the regulations of the Academic Quality Assurance Committee (AQAC) when writing course and programme proposals Prepare measurable cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning outcomes using the associated taxonomies Align teaching strategies to each learning outcome 6
PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT This workshop is aimed at highlighting the importance of professionalism in the context of higher education. It guides faculty in identifying artefacts or evidence of their teaching quality. Discuss the definition of a portfolio Identify the various types of portfolios Choose a portfolio type which suits their preference and purpose Examine sample portfolios Start building a portfolio 7
RESEARCH SKILLS AND CLASSROOM ACTION RESEARCH This workshop is aimed at sharing the important steps in Research Design. It explains the role of classroom action research and its impact on teaching, learning and institutional change. By the end of workshop, participants will be able to: Discuss the elements of research design Explain the definition of classroom action research Examine samples of classroom action research proposals Select a topic for classroom action research and construct a draft proposal 8
ACTIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES This workshop aims to engage lecturers in active learning strategies to facilitate effective learning. Define active learning Select active learning strategies and align these strategies to their courses Discuss the challenges associated with active learning in a university setting 9
EFFECTIVE LECTURING This workshop focuses on the knowledge, skills, attitudes and physical conditions that are necessary for becoming an effective lecturer. Evaluate the characteristics of an effective lecturer/teacher based on research Engage in a SWOT analysis and self-reflection exercises Discuss strengths and areas to be improved 10
PEER OBSERVATION, FEEDBACK AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE This workshop aims at emphasising the importance of peer observation, feedback and reflective practice to the developmental aspect of the teaching/learning process. It provides the opportunity to discuss and practise clinical supervision techniques with peers. It presents a complementary assessment activity to student evaluations. Define peer observation, feedback and reflective practice Analyse the rationale for engaging in peer review Apply observation instruments in a simulation activity Practise giving appropriate feedback to peers Critique the practice of peer observation and review in a university setting 11
GRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISION This two-phase workshop aims to prepare supervisors of graduate students for the research process and provides support for graduate students who need to understand how to maximise their relationship with their graduate supervisors and benefit from the research journey. Identify the elements of good research Discuss the student/supervisor relationship in the research process Examine the concepts and frameworks associated with research writing Critique sample proposals and research papers Engage in simulations that demonstrate research best practices Discuss the role of literature and theoretical frameworks in the research process Apply effective feedback techniques Analyse challenges associated with research relationships 12
WRITING YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY This workshop prepares lecturers for the writing of their teaching philosophies according to given frameworks. It explains how the philosophy should guide effective practice. Define a teaching Philosophy Discuss the components of a teaching philosophy Critique samples of teaching philosophies Start a personal teaching philosophy 13
ORIENTATION TO UNIVERSITY TEACHING This workshop serves to provide an orientation to the principles and practices that undergird teaching at the university level. It starts by allowing participants to reflect on the qualities, interests, knowledge and skills which they bring to the experience and provides critical techniques, strategies and methodologies to prepare them for teaching. Reflect on the qualities, knowledge and skills which they bring to the teaching experience Discuss basic learning theories, learning styles and teaching styles Examine guidelines which relate to course proposals and course outlines Recognise the elements of a good lecture Discuss basic assessment strategies Engage in active learning strategies Discuss lecture and lesson planning 14
15
16
Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learing Curriculum & Instructional Development Unit The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus TEL: 417-4209/02 EMAIL:idu@cavehill.uwi.edu