Graduate Certificate in Education
(Higher Education)

Introduction | Program Review | Program Syllabus | To Apply | Downloads | Further Information

Introduction

If you are a university lecturer or tutor, expert knowledge in your discipline is an essential requirement. You also need expertise in the teaching of your discipline. Would you like to develop this expertise and increase your familiarity with contemporary understandings of the ways students learn concepts and skills and develop attributes in your field?

The Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (GCHE) offers academics the opportunity to develop such expertise and understanding. The program is scholarly yet practical and promotes the development of the University's Graduate Attributes in the context of your university teaching and research. The conceptual framework for the GCHE is the Graduate Attribute Continuum.

The GCHE program is presented within the CLPD, with the award to be conferred by the University's School of Education in the Faculty of the Professions. The program is valued by the University, as its successful completion indicates a commitment to excellence in teaching.

For 2009, up to fifteen University of Adelaide staff will be offered places at a significantly reduced cost. The program is the equivalent of one semester's full-time study (12 units), and participants will progress at the rate of one 3-unit course per semester. The course University Teaching for Effective Student Learning must be completed before undertaking the other courses. This course is identical to the existing Teaching at University course, but with a non-graded-pass assessment component.

Enrolment will be conditional on approval by the Head of School and the Executive Dean of the Faculty for the fifteen fee-reduced places available to University of Adelaide teaching staff. If a Faculty approves more than three applications, and if the total quota of fifteen participants is exceeded, the Executive Dean will be asked to rank the applications in order of merit and/or suitability for selection for the program.

External Review of the Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education), August 2007 (pdf 750kB).

An external review of the outcomes of the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education was completed in August 2007 by Dr Peggy Nightingale. In the 1980's, Dr Nightingale developed the first Graduate Certificate in Higher Education as Director of the Learning and Teaching Unit at the University of New South Wales. She is familiar with higher education systems around the globe, conducting numerous international consultancies. She brought to the review a great depth of experience in teaching and learning scholarship, and a genuine interest to assist the University of Adelaide program to build on its strengths and to indentify areas in need on improvement.

Program Syllabus

University Teaching for Effective Student Learning

3 units  |  Semester 1 and 2
24 hours contact and an estimated 120 hours non-contact
Prerequisite: none
Assessment: two 15 minute oral presentations, and a project report. Non-graded pass.

Using your current experiences in learning and teaching in higher education, this course will provide you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of student learning and its relationship with good teaching.
The concept of the scholarship of teaching will be explored and practical aspects of such teaching will be presented. Participants will undertake a limited project within their area of interest in teaching. Capabilities in large and small group teaching, and in the use of Information and Communication Technology in teaching will be developed.

Curriculum Design, Assessment and Evaluation

3 units  |  Semester 1
24 hours contact and an estimated 120 hours non-contact
Prerequisite: University Teaching for Effective Student Learning
Assessment: 1000 word literature-based rationale, one ICT-based 1000+ word report, and one 2000+ word curriculum design assignment. Non-graded pass.

This course will provide opportunities for participants to further develop their skills in curriculum design, including the use of aims and objectives in conjunction with appropriate student learning activities to improve assessment outcomes. The course also assists participants to develop a deeper understanding of the impact assessment has on student learning, how information and communication technologies can be used to improve student learning and how to effectively use peer and student evaluations to analyse the learning and teaching environment. The course will provide opportunities for group interactions that assist participants translate theoretical principles into practical outcomes.

Reflective Practice in Learning and Teaching

3 units  |  Semester 2
24 hours contact and an estimated 120 hours non-contact
Prerequisite: University Teaching for Effective Student Learning
Assessment: wiki-based small-group inquiry and 20 minute oral presentation, and 2000 word reflective critique including colleague-reviewed teaching sessions. Non-graded pass.

This course allows participants to develop a deeper insight into their own teaching practice from a student learning perspective. It develops strategies that they may use to initiate quality improvement in their teaching and in student learning. Group based interactions with other participants will be an important component of the course, as will the ability to use peer feedback to initiate change. Participants will develop skills in undertaking peer reviews themselves and providing critical feedback to others on their teaching.

Research Based Learning and Teaching

3 units  |  Semester 1 and 2
12 hours contact and an estimated 132 hours non-contact
Prerequisite: University Teaching for Effective Student Learning; and Curriculum Design, Assessment and Evaluation; and Reflective Practice in Learning and Teaching
Assessment: two 20 minute oral presentations, and one 3000+ word project report. Non-graded pass.

This unit will develop the concept of learning and teaching in a research-intensive university. The research basis for reflective practice in learning and teaching will be utilised, and the concepts associated with the research basis for the scholarship of teaching will be extended from the earlier courses. An extensive project within the participants' area of interest in teaching will be undertaken, which will demonstrate an impct on colleagues, and more broadly.

To Apply

Application forms may be downloaded below or obtained in hard copy from:
CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West, North Terrace Campus
TEL +61 8 8303 5771
EMAIL clpd@adelaide.edu.au

Timing
University Teaching for Effective Student Learning is the first course in the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. It is offered in conjunction with the Teaching at University course in Semester 1, 2009.
This is scheduled for 8 half-day sessions, 9:30am - 12:30pm,
on Wednesday mornings, 11, 18, 25 March; 1, 8, 29 April; 6, 13 May.

Curriculum Design, Assessment and Evaluation will also be offered in Semester 1, 2009.
This is scheduled for 8 half-day sessions, 9:30am - 12:30pm,
on Tuesday mornings, 10, 17, 24, 31 March; 7, 28 April; 5, 12 May.

Reflective Practice in Learning and Teaching will be offered in Semester 2, 2009.
This is scheduled for 8 half-day sessions, 2:00 - 5:00pm,
on Tuesday afternoons, 28 July; 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug; 1, 8, 15 Sept.

Cost
The cost for the University Teaching for Effective Student Learning course will be $250 (GST free) for University of Adelaide staff or $1500 (GST free) for those not employed by the University of Adelaide.

In 2009, up to fifteen University of Adelaide staff will have fees waived for the other three courses. If more than two applications are received from the same Faculty, the appropriate Executive Dean will be asked to prioritise candidates. The cost of these courses is $1500 (GST free) each.

Prior Recognition
Staff who completed the requirements of the current Teaching at University course during the years 2000-2008 may apply for credit towards the certificate, provided that they submit negotiated assignment tasks and meet the assessment criteria of the University Teaching for Effective Student Learning course.

Deadline for Applications
The closing date for applications for enrolment in Semester 1, 2009 is Monday 3 November 2008.
Late applications may be considered.

Any University of Adelaide staff member who is also a PhD student on a scholarship should contact John Willison before completing the application form.

Please address applications to:

Centre Administrator
Centre for Learning and Professional Development
Level 2, Schulz Building West
North Terrace Campus
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE SA 5005

Downloads

Brochure (pdf 75kB)
Application Form (pdf 118kB)

For further information contact