Special Study in Supporting Learning University Certificate

You will be encouraged to consider current thinking in pedagogic practices in relation to designing, delivering and supporting student learning in HE through a reflective process using multiple feedback sources. The module activities will include evaluating the nature of the student learning experience in your own context, an observation of your own teaching/supporting learning activities (and that of others) and an investigation of relevant literature/theory.
Modules
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course. For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the full course document.
Module topics and themes supporting this process include:
the scholarship of learning and teaching and linking teaching and research
reflective practices and using student feedback for evaluation and development
threshold concepts, graduate attributes and signature pedagogies
session design and peer observation of teaching
learning design, sustainability and ethics
managing the learning environment
using technology to enhance student learning
student-centred and activity-based learning
facilitating student learning in different subject contexts and in face to face and online environments
facilitating one to one, small group and whole group learning
inclusive practices and using student diversity as a resource
personal and professional development planning
Teaching and learning methods used
work-based learning including teaching/supporting learning practice (15 hours minimum)
observation of your practice as well as your observation of the practice of an experienced peer
on-line learning of approximately four hours per week
self-directed study and recording of on-going reflections on practice for reflective narrative-building and assessment, together with teaching observations and professional practice conversations with your subject mentor or educational development tutor, will comprise the remaining hours of this 20-credit module
The sessions will all take place on-line; however, when your teaching/supporting learning session is observed, your tutor will go to the location in which you work. (If you are teaching outside the University of Westminster, you will need to arrange for a tutor from your own institution to observe you.) There will also be a face-to-face Induction session which you will be invited to attend.
Assessment
Assessment is wholly coursework based; there are no examinations.
The assessment will include formative piece of work that is compulsory but ungraded and which is submitted for feedback
The final assessment is a reflexive narrative that integrates theory and practice supported by practice-based feedback from different sources. These will include two teaching practice observations by an experienced peer in your workplace (one of which may be a WEx tutor) plus your observation of an experienced peer.
The narrative will provide a place for you to evidence your continuing professional development in teaching and supporting learning.
Fees
You will need to get the written support of your line manager or Head of Department in order to take the module. This is demonstrated by your line manager’s/Head of Department’s signature on the application form. Their signature recognises the requirement that you can be released from your normal duties to attend the taught sessions, that you will be allocated sufficient hours to fulfil the requirements of the course, that you can be observed undertaking a session of student support and that you will be supported in any other ways to help you to complete the work. If you are not teaching University of Westminster students, the full fee will apply.
Length of course
The course lasts for one semester and will be run twice during the year. The face-to-face induction session for the first cohort will be on Friday 23 September (10am–4pm) with submission of the final assessment at the end of January. The Induction session for the second cohort will be on Friday 13 January (10am–4pm) with the final submission due at the end of May.
Successful completion of the module will allow you to become an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Find out more about the benefits of becoming an HEA Associate.
In addition, if you continue in your teaching role and have an increased number of teaching hours, you may take further modules leading to the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE).
Finally, if you transfer to another university which also has such a course, it is highly possible that you will be able to gain some credit toward their award, but of course this will depend on their particular qualifications and regulations.
Deadline for applications for the September 2016 intake is 31 July 2016.
Deadline for applications for the January 2017 intake is Monday 12 December 2016.
Further information
If you would like any further information, please contact course leader Jennifer Bright at j.a.bright@westminster.ac.uk.
Course team
Jennifer Bright, Course Leader and Admissions Tutor
How to apply
This course is offered to University of Westminster staff and PhD students only. To apply, please go to UKPASS and download the guidelines below.
University of Westminster staff
Download the application guidelines (PDF)
After obtaining your line manager's approval, you'll need to fill out the form below to gain exemption from course fees.
Download a fee exemption form (PDF)
Additional costs information