BUILDING CAPACITY TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN UNIVERSITY LEARNING AND TEACHING

This program explores a 360˚ strategy to managing excellence and innovation in university learning and teaching with special reference to the implementation and development of technology enhanced learning. It expands on ten elements that must be appropriately managed in order to provide adequate staff and student support.

Discussion and planning exercises will make the content of the program relevant to the specific contexts in which participants work. Participants will be asked to examine what they are already doing to promote teaching in their universities, what they would like to do and what they need to do to achieve their goals. Core questions include:

  • How easy is it to effect lasting change to promote university learning and teaching at your university?
  • What have been your successes?
  • Why have the identified actions been a success?
  • What have been the barriers to change?
  • What needs to happen to address the barriers?
  • Do you achieve sustainable outcomes? If you and your colleagues were all to leave your university at the same time, what would happen to the outcomes of your initiatives to promote university learning and teaching?

A key argument refers to the importance of establishing clear systems, policies and processes that give rise to quality learning and teaching outcomes. The program also addresses process issues showing that “It’s not just what you do but the way that you do it” that counts in effective change leadership.

With the sharp focus always on excellence in student learning outcomes, the program will be evidence-based, drawing on research literature and international reports. The aim is to secure sustainable outcomes from initiatives to promote learning and teaching.

Target Audience:

This program is intended at: Provosts, Deans of Schools and Colleges, Heads of Departments, Directors and Staff of Teaching and Learning and Curriculum Centers from Higher Education Institutions.