When taken as a 3-unit option:
The 3-unit course involves a project or program of action learning that is integrated within the core courses undertaken during the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (EDUC8002, EDUC8003, EDUC8004 and EDUC8007).

Participants negotiate or are assigned a project topic or series of learning tasks with the relevant Course Coordinator. The action learning focus encourages participants to investigate an aspect of their academic practice with a view to improvement, within the themes of teaching and learning (EDUC8002), curriculum and innovation (EDUC8003), research supervision (EDUC8004) and academic leadership (EDUC8007). However an action learning focus is not essential.

Participants normally undertake EDUC8006 twice during the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, as 2 x 3-unit courses attached to the core courses selected.

A 6-unit option is available with the permission of the GradCertHE Program Convenor:
The 6-unit course provides participants with a guided opportunity to investigate and improve their understandings and practices relevant to their own particular context and interests in the areas of teaching, curriculum, management and/ or research supervision. Participants are encouraged to review their experience and knowledge and to expand and deepen their understanding using literature sources, case studies, reflections and/or further inquiry into their practice. Frequently, an action learning focus is adopted by participants designing a project that involves a substantive inquiry into an aspect of their practice. However, an action learning focus is not essential.

Course Website

See Wattle

On completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• apply course concepts to analyse their past and current academic practices, and to plan and/or implement improvements to their future practice;
• design and conduct projects investigating relevant aspects of their academic practice with a view to improvement;
• demonstrate an evidence-based approach to improving their academic practice that is informed by scholarly literature
• articulate and reflect on their learning and the implications for their future academic practice.

Assessment will be through a written report as part of an assessment portfolio negotiated with the Course Convenor for the relevant course in the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education.  

Assessment will be determined as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. The assessment portfolio is normally allowed to be resubmitted to satisfy the course requirements if required, subject to time constraints.

As a 3-unit course the total workload expectation is approx 60 hours, mostly spent in independent research and study.

No formal contact hours are scheduled, however participants are encouraged to arrange meetings with the relevant Course Convenor as required.

Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2 as an integrated component attached to each of the core courses in the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and Master of Higher Education.

Any undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution.

Readings will be negotiated with participants on a case by case basis.

Kember, D. (2000) Action learning and action research: improving the quality of teaching and learning. London: Kogan Page

Staff Development Scholarship Scheme

The Vice Chancellor is encouraging eligible staff to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education or the Master of Higher Education, by making this course (and the total program) available at no cost to eligible applicants through the Staff Development Scholarship Scheme (i.e. HECS-HELP/tuition fees are waived) http://www.anu.edu.au/sas/admission/sds/index.php