The one semester course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of university teaching and learning within the ANU context. It consists of one full-day intensive workshop on curriculum design, as well as 4 half-day workshops covering the following topics: active student learning & inclusivity; flexibility in learning & teaching; linking research & teaching; and assessment & evaluation.

The course is suitable for both new and current teaching academics interested in obtaining an overview of teaching and learning fundamentals in tertiary education. Participants do not necessarily need to be currently teaching. Participants will have the opportunity to apply their learning to courses in which they are currently teaching as part of the assessment.

Key components of this course include:

• an examination of the learning process;

• the principles of designing curricula;

• the articulation of student learning outcomes; 

• approaches to encourage student engagement and active learning;

• an examination of student diversity;

• approaches to designing inclusive curricula;

• the principles of flexible learning and delivery;

• an introduction to flexible learning technologies;

• the theory and practice of linking research and teaching;

• the principles of designing assessments that promote learning;

• the principles of providing effective student feedback for learning;

• approaches to evaluation for improving the quality of your teaching.

Semester 1 dates

Workshop 1: April 15, (9 - 5)

Design a curriculum plan and statement of desired learning outcomes.

Workshop 2: April 29, (1 - 4)

Design a session plan for a lecture/workshop/tutorial for the course outlined in your first assignment.

Workshop 3: May 13, (1 - 4)

Design an online / blended learning module plan.

Workshop 4: May 27 (1 - 4)

A short paper outlining at least two ways your own research which could be integrated with your teaching practice.

Workshop 5: june 10, (1 - 4)

Design a final piece of assessment for the course outlined in your curriculum plan for Workshop 1.

Integrated reflection:

A short paper examining how your knowledge of and practice in teaching and learning have changed during the course, and an evaluation plan to gauge the impact of your teaching on student learning.

Semester 2 dates:

Workshop 1: July 2, (9 - 5)

Workshop 2: August 6, (1 - 4)

Workshop 3: August 20, (1 - 4)

Workshop 4: September 3 (1 - 4)

Workshop 5: September 17, (1 - 4)

On completion of this course, you should be able to design an effective curriculum that:

• takes into account student diversity and learning needs;

• encourages student engagement and active learning; and

• includes elements of flexible learning and delivery.

You should also be able to:

• demonstrate constructive alignment of curriculum elements (including learning objectives, teaching and assessment approaches); articulate desirable student learning outcomes;identify opportunities for research-led education in your practice; devise teaching and assessment approaches that promote effective learning;provide effective student feedback that facilitates learning; anduse a range of methods to evaluate the effectiveness of your teaching practice.

Assessment is through a teaching portfolio. This portfolio is expected to comprise the items below following each workshop. However where appropriate, participants may be able to negotiate alternative assessment items with the course convenor that are relevant to their context and needs.

Grading: Completed assessment will be graded as satisfactory / unsatisfactory.