Developing teaching and learning

Developing Teaching and Learning

Qualifying course in higher education pedagogy, 3 weeks

(Högskolepedagogisk fördjupning)

1 GENERAL INFORMATION

Örebro University’s courses in academic development have been developed in accordance with recommendations adopted on 14 April 2016 by the Association of Swedish Higher Education (SUHF) regarding the scope, objectives and eligibility for professional university teacher training in order to facilitate the mutual recognition of courses between institutions. The courses are offered as competence development for faculty members.

During the course, participants work towards the following goals from SUHF for eligibility for teaching within higher education:

The participant shall

• be able to discuss and problematise student learning within their subject field, drawing on education and/or subject didactic research of relevance to teaching within higher education,
• independently, and with others, be able to plan, execute and evaluate teaching and examination on a scientific or artistic basis within their knowledge field,
• be able to use and contribute to the development of physical and digital learning environments to promote learning of groups and individuals,
• be able to meet students with an inclusive mindset and have knowledge about the regulations in force and the support available to students with disabilities,
• be able to apply relevant national and local regulations and discuss society’s goals with higher education as well as the scholarship of teaching and learning in relation to their teaching practice and student participation in teaching and learning activities,
• demonstrate a reflective approach to their scholarship of teaching and learning, teacher-student relationships, and the common core values of higher education, including democracy, internationalisation, gender equality, equal treatment and sustainability, and
• be able to utilise, analyse and communicate their experience as well as that of others, along with relevant research findings as a basis for developing teaching, learning and the teaching profession.
  
  

2 ABOUT THE COURSE

Developing Teaching and Learning corresponds to 120 working hours, or three weeks of full-time study. The course syllabus was approved by the Director of the Centre for Academic Development on 10 March 2023.

2.1 Course goals

After completing the course, the participant shall be able to

• evaluate teaching and examination activities from higher education pedagogy perspectives such as sustainable development, widening participation, gender mainstreaming, equal treatment, accessibility and digitalisation,
• problematise various higher education pedagogy perspectives and reflect on how they relate to one another,
• discuss various higher education pedagogy perspectives in relation to subject cultures and knowledge traditions,
• reflect on society’s goals with higher education, integration of various perspectives, progression, learning and conditions for students with disabilities, and
• based on various higher education pedagogy perspectives, critically discuss their and others’ positions and choices in terms of pedagogy and didactics.

2.2 Course content

On the course Developing Teaching and Learning, participants will work with various perspectives within higher education pedagogy, including sustainable development, widening participation, gender mainstreaming, equal treatment, accessibility and digitalisation. Participants will reflect on how these perspectives relate to subject cultures, knowledge traditions, learning and progression, and how they can be integrated into teaching and examination activities.

2.3 Teaching methods

Teaching methods used on the course take as a starting point participants’ own development work, presentations and seminars. Learning activities are undertaken individually, in a whole group setting, and in smaller discussion or working groups. Course material and information is published on Örebro University’s learning platform.

2.4 Attendance requirements

As the collegial exchange of experiences and knowledge is an important element on the course, a high level of attendance is required. In the event of absence, participants are asked to contact the course coordinator in advance for a discussion about how the learning activity can be undertaken or the course content obtained in another way. If the attendance rate is lower than 80%, the participant must retake the course.

2.5 Examination

Examination on the course is in the form of two assignments. The first assignment is a co-authored text problematising higher education pedagogy perspectives within the participant’s and fellow course participants’ subject fields. The second assignment is a classroom observation while shadowing another teacher, accompanied by a reflective assignment on how various perspectives within higher education pedagogy can be integrated into teaching and examination activities. The assignments will be discussed at a compulsory text seminar and a compulsory observation seminar.

Grades used on the course Developing Teaching and Learning are U (Failed) and G (Pass). In case of a failed result, the participant has the right to re-examination over a period of two years after the first examination.

2.6 Reading list

The reading list will be presented at the start of the course.

2.7 Course certificate

A course certificate will be issued after satisfactory completion of the course.

3. PRIOR ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for this course, participants need to have completed the course Foundations of Teaching and Learning or an equivalent course on higher education pedagogy.

Read the whole course plan in pdf.

Email hogskolepedagogisktcentrum@oru.se if you have any queries of a practical nature, such as dates, venues, registration in the learning platform and invoicing.