This is a project-based course with no formal class contact. Participants will work with a designated supervisor with meetings arranged by negotiation.

Participants will undertake an extended inquiry into their own academic practice. The intention is to enable and support participants to systematically investigate and improve academic practice in their own particular context. While an action research focus is encouraged, other appropriate approaches are supported.

Topics of inquiry could include, for example:

• the design and conduct of interactive tutorials focused on a particular disciplinary topic
• the negotiation of a mutually agreed focus for a student research project
• devising a field trip or field placement activity
• redesign and trial of a novel piece of assessment
• a change in a specific management approach with a School
• the development of a new management structure or process (eg workload model)
• a modification to interaction with HDR students, etc

Course Website

Through the action research project participants can expect to develop:

• a greater awareness of your own practices (as well as the practices of others) in a particular area of coursework teaching, research supervision and/or academic leadership;
• a broader repertoire of skills and strategies for effective coursework teaching, research supervision, and/or academic leadership;
• an enhanced understanding of the applicability of relevant educational models, theories and research to your own practice and academic context;
• an enhanced ability to review and assess your practice, set goals for your own learning and development, and further enhance your performance and effectiveness.

Assessment will be through a report on progress and outcomes due at the end of semester. This report should address:

• the purpose and context of the project;
• how the project is informed by key literature in the area;
• the project methods and rationale behind the methods used;
• presentation and evaluation of project outcomes;
• implications of the outcomes for change in practice; and
• how the inquiry could be improved or redesigned for a next iteration.

Drafts of parts of the report should be prepared and reviewed with the Project Supervisor(s) progressively throughout the duration of enrolment.

Assessment links to learning outcomes

The project and report supports and evaluates participants' achievement of the desired learning outcomes through requiring participants to review and assess an aspect of their practice, placing it within the context of their particular academic setting and relevant educational literature, and discussing implications for change in practice as a result of the project outcomes.

Assessment will be determined as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. However, the project report may be resubmitted, if necessary, subject to time constraints.

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