Foundations of Academic Practice

Why study with us?

This newly designed award from the Centre for the Development and Enhancement of Professional Practice (CDEPP) is the first module in the PgC Academic Practice, however as a stand-alone award is intended to support your work with higher education students, in a work-based (practice) teacher or learning support role. It aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the practice of teaching and the support of student learning in higher education, and to advance your professional skills within your own working context.

This module level equates to Associate Fellow HE Academy and NMC Practice Teacher standard.

What can this course lead to?

Students may be able to progress to the PgC Academic Practice.

Resources and facilities

The Centre for the Development and Enhancement of Professional Practice (CDEPP) was established in September 2010 to respond to the needs of the university in relation to securing effective development of people, programmes, policies and educational technology.

Focusing on the need for flexible and distributed learning, the service encourages transformations in learning and teaching practice and the design of programmes for flexible delivery. It is also responsible for the management of core e-learning systems.

Entry requirements

Prior successful study at underpinning level

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 30 credits Selection criteria

• You should have a good honours degree (2:2 or above), however suitable professional experience may be an accepted alternative.
• As this programme is designed around work-place learning, applicants are expected to be involved in higher education teaching or learning support for at least 30 hours in order to achieve the learning outcomes.
• Applicants choosing the NMC recognition option must have a minimum of two years practice (see NMC requirements for details).
• All applicants are asked to identify a suitable mentor within their work-place.
• All entrants will be required to meet English language proficiency standards and must have access to a computer with good internet connection.

Modules

• Foundations of Academic Practice (30 credits at level 7)

Course summary

Module content is clustered within four main areas: concepts of teaching, learning and assessment; effective learning environments; learning design and quality assurance; and contemporary debates in Higher Education. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative and peer learning, using technologies to enable learning through reflection and dialogue on practice throughout. This module level equates to Associate Fellow HE Academy and NMC Practice Teacher standard.

Assessment of this module is a digital patchwork text assessment undertaken throughout the semester, and the production of an e-portfolio to demonstrate how you meet the professional standards related to your role. A digital patchwork text includes a range of different pieces of work pulled together through a critically reflective commentary: patches will relate directly to your individual context, and will include critical engagement with theory and reflection on your practice in teaching or learning support, together with peer review of your practice.