Professional Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Introduction

This 18-hour programme consists of four modules (to check the details of each module, please go to “Modules”):

1. Outcome Based Approaches to Student Learning (OBASL)
2. Assessment and Feedback
3. Designing Learning Activities
4. Continuing Professional Development

All participants need to take Module 1 before taking other modules. All four modules are mandatory. However, new staff may apply for exemption for attendance of Module 4 if they have obtained an AHE Fellowship before joining HKU. To apply for an exemption for the attendance of Module 4, please send your request and your AHE Fellowship Certificate to Ms. Canice Mok (tsmok@hku.hk).

The first three modules involve two to three contact hours and some pre- and/or post-tasks. The participants will be asked to complete task(s) such as reading, watching video(s), or preparing a statement etc. – and relate this to their own teaching context. The fourth module will involve 3 contact hours only.

Participants are expected to complete the entire programme, including attending all mandatory modules and completing the pre- and/or post-tasks, within one year from the start of Module 1. Upon meeting all programme completion requirements, participants will receive their certificates.

Delivery of modules

The four modules will be delivered roughly eight times a year, following the University’s academic calendar. This allows academic staff to select a time to attend a module fitting into their own time table.

Programme Exemption

Depending on previous teaching experience, exemptions for the full programme may be granted (for details on criteria for exemption and procedure, please see ‘Guidelines for exemptions, PCTLHE’).

Module 1: Outcome-Based Approaches to Student Learning (OBASL)

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, participants should be able to apply the principles of OBASL and learning taxonomies in the course/programme design.

Description

Module 1 will discuss the key principles of OBSAL and learning taxonomies that can be applied to guide one’s course or programme design.
This module has two delivery modes.

In this delivery mode, Module 1 requires participants’ the completion of three learning components sequentially: 1.5 hours pre-class learning, 2 hours in-class learning, and 1.5 hours after-class learning. Different from Modules 2, 3 and 4, you only need to stay in class for 2 hours.

A guide to Module 1

A guide to Module 1 has been prepared to explain what Module 1 is about and, most importantly, how to complete its pre-learning tasks in Moodle. Prior to starting Module 1 pre-class learning, it is very important to read this guide. We offer the guide in two formats (video and PDF) so that you can choose the format that best suits your learning preference. It is only necessary to go through one set of them. Both formats are available on Moodle as well.

Option 1 – Watching 2 Videos:

1. What is in Module 1? (around 6 minutes)
2. How can I complete the pre-learning tasks for Module 1 on Moodle? (around 4 minutes)

Option 2 – Reading 2 PDF files:

1. What is in Module 1?
2. How can I complete the pre-learning tasks for Module 1 on Moodle?

The materials you need to bring to the in-class learning for Module 1

1. Prepare a question (if you have one) about the contents covered in the pre-class learning; and
2. 1. For those who have been assigned a course to teach: Bring the syllabus of a course that you are teaching.
   2. For those who haven’t been assigned a course to teach yet: Ask a colleague or a course coordinator for a copy of a course syllabus you might teach in the future. Or, you may bring the syllabus of a course you recently took.

Module 2. Assessment and Feedback

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, participants should be able to:

1. Provide a critical evaluation of the effectiveness of the assessment practices on one or more of their courses;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of providing actionable feedback to students within their own field of study

Description

Assessment and Feedback follow on from the previous module and explores criteria-based assessment, how to design transparent marking grids, and how to support students in developing assessment literacy. The module will also cover the principles of providing effective feedback to students.

The materials you need to bring for Module 2

For the first part of the workshop:
Participants are required to bring along their own course documentation for critique and discussion. The documentation should preferably be the same as used for Module 1 – OBASL.
Participants should also bring along marking criteria for a course they are teaching or will be teaching.

For the second part of the workshop:
Participants should bring along their pre-module task for further discussion.

Module 3. Teaching Learning Activities

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, participants should be able to choose and integrate Teaching-Learning Activities that are consistent with Course ILOs, meaningfully engage students, and support in preparing for assessments.

Description

Module 3 will briefly review OBASL principles and then discuss participants’ current TLA use in courses, within Lectures, Tutorials, Labs, and Independent Study. This module will support participants in both structuring and broadening their TLA strategies. The completion of Module 3 involves participants’ completing the following three components:

The materials you need to bring for Module 3

Reflective writing on TLA alignment experiences and TLA alignment print (past or current course).

Module 4. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in Learning and Teaching

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, participants should be able to:

1. To demonstrate an understanding of teaching as professionalized practice in higher education
2. To acknowledge the range of CPD opportunities available to HKU teaching staff
3. To demonstrate an understanding of the UK Professional Standards Framework

Please note: There are no pre-module and post-module tasks attached to this module.

Description

This final module focuses on professional development in teaching and learning. It outlines the ways in which teaching in higher education has become professionalized over the last few decades, and explores an evidence-based, reflective approach to university teaching and learning.

Workshop outline

• Introduction to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Building a teaching profile at HKU
• Getting recognition for teaching in higher education
• Personal planning and teaching portfolios

Registration

Note: All participants need to take Module 1 before taking other modules. Additionally, participants are expected to complete the entire programme, including attending all mandatory modules and completing the pre- and/or post-tasks, within one year from the start of Module 1.

The modules will be available at the following time slots and venues:

Course Moodle

Contact Us

Ms. Canice Mok

Executive Assistant
Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC)
Phone: 3917 6069
Email: tsmok@hku.hk