Foundations of University Teaching

New Zealand programmes

Summary of Programmes

University /

Induction

/ Foundations / Grad Cert / Tutor
AUT /  /  /  / 
Auckland /  /  /  / 
Waikato /  /  / On hold / 
Massey /  /  /  / 
Victoria /  /  / 
Canterbury /  /  /  / 
Lincoln / From Sept 2003 / 
Otago /  /  /  / 

Issues

The eight New Zealanduniversitieshave several common issues confronting the preparation of academics for their teaching roles from an academic development perspective, and some of these are listed in bullet point below:

  • supporting all staff working with international/NESB students
  • supporting new international academics
  • raising awareness of bi-cultural issues among international academicsnew to New Zealand
  • standards of post-graduate certificates
  • accreditation requirements in the future (given the UK experience) and the possibility of a rumoured PBRF teaching equivalent
  • the implementation of PBRF and the potential threat to teaching quality and workloads (ours and theirs)
  • the issue of workload and job pleasure/viability and how we can support staff in negotiating this

Induction Programmes

Uni / Programme / Description / Required
AUT / A Good Start / An eight hour introductory seminar designed to welcome and familiarise new staff members with AUT. All new staff are expected to attend the two half-day sessions which are offered on the first and second Friday of each month. The seminars are offered in a one full day format three times during the year. The first session, 'Getting On at AUT' introduces new staff to key people, places and ideas that are central to AUT. Session two, 'The Way of life at AUT,' covers a range of university wide policies, aspects of organisational culture as well as some of the legal obligations and standards expected of AUT staff.
Auck. / Introduction to the University / A one day workshop in three sections: 1) the University and employment matters; 2) facilities and services to support university staff; and 3) research and the services that support academics in this role. The workshop is supplemented by the staff guide and other printed materials and a range of development workshops offered by Centre for Professional Development (CPD).
Waik. / Induction / The University runs induction activities which all new staff are expected to attend, as well as a special induction programme for new academic staff:
1)an introductory session, spread over two mornings, which includes: a welcome from the senior University people; University Strategic Intent; Financial Matters; Student Support and Welfare; Staff Associations; Staff I-gate (the University website); a Library Tour; Security and Emergency Preparedness; Employee Assistance Programme; Health and Safety; Occupational Overuse Syndrome Awareness; prevention of harassment.
2)Kanohi ki to Kanohi (Face to Face: Knowledge Connections) – a day long powhiri at the marae, and a Treaty of Waitangi workshop.
Mass. / Working at Massey
The Big Picture
Learning and Teaching Development programme / A half-day initial induction session dealing with the material that staff need to know about contracts, health and safety, etc.
A one day programme designed to introduce new employees to Massey University, its philosophy, some of the key personnel and processes, and the way in which the University works.
A 30 hour course offered on each Campus every year by the Training Development Unit (TDU). It consists of an initial 2-day course with four main modules: introduction to university teaching; teaching in groups; presentation skills; and learner assessment. The rest of the 30 hours can be made up by selecting 6 x 3-hour modules from an extensive menu offered on all campuses throughout the year. Modules include teaching students of international origin, an introduction to problem-based learning, developing teaching portfolios, and using and assessing group projects. The 30-hour programme is required to be completed by all new academic staff within their first 2 years. Completion is recognised by a certificate of participation signed and presented by the Vice Chancellor.
VUW / Welcome to VUW Day
Introduction to VUW / Offered twice a year in February and June. Includes a powhiri (formal welcome onto the marae), lunch, and a VUW Information and Services Expo with over 30 groups from across campus.
A one day programme offered six times a year which introduces new employees to groups, people, facilities and services across campus and includes a campus tour. (Twice a year in March and August, this day concludes with a Wine and Cheese Reception hosted jointly by the Vice Chancellor, the Staff Club, the University Teaching Development Centre (UTDC) and Human Resources.) / 
Cant. / Canterbury in Context (Induction) / Induction programmes are offered by Organisational Development for all new staff. The Educational Research and Advisory Unit (ERAU) runs three hour session designed specifically to help those new to Canterbury understand its academic environment. Topics covered include academic decision making, the obligations and responsibilities of university teachers and students, equity issues and the role of ERAU.
Linc. / Programme will begin again in September 2003
Otago / New Staff Conference and New Teachers’ Day (July) / The New Staff Conference is for all new Otago staff and starts with presentations and discussions with key speakers from the University, followed by an induction fair. It is followed by a New Teachers’ Day for academic staff new to teaching.

Foundations of University Teaching programme/Certificate

Uni / Unit / Programme / Description / Required
AUT / CEPD / Introduction to teaching, learning and research programme / A series of eleven introductory practical workshops offered by the Centre for Educational and Professional Development (CEPD) aimed at new, part time and contract lecturers with limited or no teaching experience. It is also useful for teaching staff who want a ''refresher''. Staff are welcome to attend one session, or several, or all. The series is also delivered as a block course at the start of each semester. These sessions provide basic skills for new teachers until they are able to attend the Certificate in Tertiary Teaching. If required, the workshops can be adapted to suit specific needs of individual programme or module groups. / 
Auck. / CPD / Principles and Practice of University Teaching/Learning / A 12 hour course offered by the Centre for Professional Development (CPD), which is spread over three days and introduces deep approaches to student learning and how to encourage it through ecological alignment of outcomes, assessment, teaching mode, content selection and evaluation. Attendance is credited toward the in-house Certificate in University Teaching and Learning.
Waik. / TLDU / Academic Induction Workshops / Offered by the Teaching and Learning Development Unit (TLDU), this programme is spread over three weeks, with 17 different workshops, most three hours long. Topics include course design, large group teaching, on-line teaching, small group learning, assessment, supervision, leading discussions, Treaty of Waitangi, evaluating teaching, meeting the needs of Maori students. The workshops are designed primarily for new teachers, but open to all academic staff. They are planned as a coherent programme and staff are encouraged to attend the entire course, but the unit does accept registrations from people who only want to attend parts of the programme. The programme is not yet mandatory for all new academic staff, but there is hope of this changing soon.
Mass. / TDU / Learning and Teaching Development Certificate
Flexible Learning and Teaching Development programme / This in-house Certificate, offered by the Training and Development Unit (TDU) is issued on completion of 30 hours of training (normally the 2-day workshop and six additional modules), (See above).
This programme offered by the TDU, with support from groups such as the Library and Massey University’s English Language Centre, provides a series of modules that enable participants to explore, widen, and enhance their teaching strategies to cater for the increasing diversity of learners and their choice of learning pathways as Massey moves towards greater flexibility as a learning provider. Modules include Introduction to Flexible Learning and Teaching, Developing and Writing a Study Guide, Block and Contact Courses, Principles and Practices of Online Learning Teaching, and Online Teaching Using WebCT.
VUW / UTDC / Orientation to Teaching and Learning for New Academic Staff / This programme, offered by the University Teaching Development Centre (UTDC), is spread over four days and offered twice a year in February and July, for all academics new to VUW. The course is mandatory for all academic staff new to VUW. Workshops include Small Group Teaching, Lecturing, Teaching Postgraduates, Supporting Your Students (a fair with student services groups from across campus), Academic Life at Vic, Microteaching, and Promotions. Two follow up sessions on course design, and evaluating teaching are offered during the first and second trimesters, as well as monthly luncheons for new academic staff. The programme is supported by the recently published guide, New to VUW: A Survival Guide for Academics New to Victoria University of Wellington. / 
Cant. / ERAU / Core Teaching Workshops
ITALIC: Integrating Teaching and Learning in Context / The Educational Research and Advisory Unit runs these workshops twice a year. The workshops offer an introduction to the basic principles underpinning effective teaching and learning in higher education and provide participants with some essential ‘survival skills’ for teaching. Sessions include Developing Learning Outcomes, Lecturing, Assessment, Supervision, Small Groups, IT, Research and Teaching and Reflection. Participation in all workshops totals 26 hours.
An on-line and face-to-face professional development course for new and experienced university teachers, during terms 3 and 4. It involves on-line discussion forums based around fortnightly ‘themes’, peer review of teaching, and the development of a reflective and scholarly approach to teaching.
Linc. / TLS
Otago / HEDC / Introduction to University Teaching (Feb) / A three day event which aims to provide some basic and practical support for those new to university teaching. Covers small group work, lecturing, assessment and includes a microteaching type experience.

Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Uni / Unit / Programme / Description / Required
AUT / School of Educ./ CEPD / Cert of Tertiary Teaching and Grad. Diploma in Tertiary Teaching / NZQA approved courses offered by the School of Education, with teaching input from CEPD staff. All AUT full time academic staff are contractually obligated to do the Certificate within the first year of their contract. The Certificate is free for full time staff, but a fee is charged to departments for part time staff wishing to participate. / 
Auck. / CPD / Certof University Teaching and Learning / A University of Auckland Certificate offered by the CPD,designed to introduce early-career academic staff to the skills of teaching required by a research-intensive university. Existing CPD courses form the core of the programme with other sessions as well. The CUTL consists of five modules, plus the appointment of an Associate. Modules include 1) Scholarship of Teaching, 2) Four Core Workshops, 3) Community of Practice Meetings, 4) Policy Workshop, and 5) Four Electives (from CPD’s Academic Programme). Each participant is asked to prepare an Individual Learning Plan and will have a CUTL teaching team coach. In 2003, the Certificate’s first year, there are 24 participants enrolled.
Waik. / School of Educ/ TLDU / Postgrad. Certificate in Tertiary Teaching (on hold in 2003) / This CUAP approved Certificate is on hold in 2003, as the TLDU revamps the programme. The Academic Induction Workshops will next year become the first module of the Certificate, and the second module will become more portfolio based than it has been previously. There will be an assessment task which forms 50% of the first paper in the Certificate. The Certificate is available to anyone, and is conferred by the School of Education, but taught primarily by TLDU staff.
Mass. / College of Educ./ TDU / Postgrad. Certificate in Tertiary Teaching / Offered by the College of Education, in association with the TDU, this certificate comprises two papers: Learning and Teaching in Tertiary Education, and Tertiary Curriculum Theory, Development and Delivery, delivered extramurally through the Graduate School of Education. The papers make up a formal NZQA approved teaching qualification appropriate for lecturers, tutors, and others teaching in tertiary institutions. Students who make sufficient academic progress in the PGCertTT may transfer in to the PGDipEd(Adult Ed) or MEd(Adult Ed).
VUW
Cant. / ERAU / Postgrad. Certificate and Diploma in Tertiary Teaching / The CUAP approved postgraduate certificate and diploma at Canterbury provide a strong foundation for university staff interested in taking leadership roles in university education locally and/or internationally and offer a supportive context in which teachers in higher education can explore, review, and/or redesign their teaching practices.. Participants should have some tertiary teaching experience and should be teaching while they are studying. The Certificate comprises two papers (Critical Reflection on Tertiary Teaching and Learning, Theory and Practice in Tertiary Teaching) which can be completed in one year of part-time study. This course is offered in conjunction with the University of Otago and is taught on-line and face-to-face. The Diploma comprises the two certificate papers plus a further two papers (Instructional Design and Technology for Tertiary Teaching or other approved paper, and Project in Tertiary Teaching and Learning).
Linc.
Otago / HEDC / Postgrad. Certificate and Diploma in Tertiary Teaching / The Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching (PGCertTertT) is a qualification for those who teach tertiary students in universities and polytechnics. It is a part-time course consisting of two ten point papers that can be completed in a minimum of one year and a maximum of three. The Certificate comprises two papers (Critical Reflection on Tertiary Teaching and Learning, Theory and Practice in Tertiary Teaching). Students can continue and take out the Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching (PGDipTertT) with the following papers: Research into Tertiary Teaching and Learning and Special Topic or other approved Education paper. The programme is offered in conjunction with the University of Canterbury and there are face to face to tutorials in both Christchurch and Dunedin, as well as online facilities and expectations.

Tutor Development Programme/s

Uni / Unit / Programme / Description / Required
AUT / CEPD / No official or formalised programme. Most tutor development happens within departments, with CEPD guidance and support. For example, the Sports and Recreation department is currently training a batch of Masters students in tutoring roles with the ongoing help of the CEPD. / 
Auck. / CPD / Tutor Training Certificate / Tutors who complete three basic requirements at the University of Auckland can receive a Tutor Training Certificate.
1)Basic teaching skills training – either two three-hour workshops organised through departments or the general CPD three by three-hour tutor training workshops offered just before the start of Semesters 1 and 2.
2)Further development – two modules from the Tutoring Skills Development Programme offered through Semesters 1 and 2, including topics such as working with Asian students, marking essays and assignments, preparing students for exams, managing problem situations in the tutorial, and helping students with writing and study skills.
3)Student evaluations – tutors will be required to provide a CPD student evaluation of one or more of their tutorials.
Waik. / TLDU / No official or formalised programme. The University has recently called for mandatory tutor training but not provided the resourcing as yet. Many departments send their tutors to the sessions the TLDU provides as part of their workshop programme. A fair amount of tutor training is also done by TLDU staff in departments on request. Some departments do their own.
Mass. / TDU / Tutor Training Programme / This four hour training programme is designed for graduate assistants, tutors, and others ‘new’ to the tutoring process. Participants have the opportunity to explore fundamental aspects of successful tutoring practice, in particular: planning and preparation; presentation and delivery; monitoring and evaluation; and marking and assessment. Participants who successfully complete the programme are awarded the Tutor Training Certificate.
VUW / UTDC / Basic Teaching Skills for Tutors
Tutor Training Certificate of Attendance (TTCA) / Three hours of introductory training for all new tutors has just been mandated by the University in the recently negotiated collective contract for tutors. Some Schools offer their own training, while the UTDC offers Faculty-based three-hour Basic Teaching Skills workshops (and two generic Basic Teaching Skills workshops for those who can’t attend the Faculty sessions) just before the start of Semesters One and Two. The UTDC also does School-based training on request.
The TTCA, an in-house certificate, is issued to tutors who complete the following requirements within two years of initial enrolment in the Certificate