Centre for Academic Practice
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (TCPT01)
Handbook for Academic Probation Advisers
2015/16 [version September 2015]
Contents
Contents 3
Introduction 1
Contact Information 1
Training for Academic Probation Advisers 2
Section One: Overview of the PGCAP 3
What is the PGCAP? 3
Who is it for? 3
What are the benefits? 3
What does it involve? 3
Who oversees the PGCAP? 4
What is the impact of the PGCAP on academic probation? 4
When can participants start the PGCAP? 4
How much time does it take? 4
Why is accreditation of the PGCAP important? 5
How is the PGCAP Structured? 5
What are the key dates? 6
How do the workshops fit in? 7
Figure 1: Diagram Showing Professional Development Workshop Requirement for PGCAP 8
Table 1: Professional Development Workshops for PGCAP 2015/16 9
What observations of teaching take place? 10
Section Two: Supporting materials for Probation Advisers 11
Work Plan and Personal Research Plan 11
Completion of Probation Work Plans 11
Probation Adviser Meetings 12
Summary of requirements for probationer 12
Year 1 12
Year 2 12
Year 3 12
Probation Advisers’ Planner 13
Yearly Requirements (for New Lecturers following a standard 3-year probation) 14
Section Three: Alternative Provision 16
LUPE (Loughborough University Portfolio of Evidence for Learning and Teaching) 16
List of Appendices 17
Appendix 1 Programme Specification TCPT01 18
Appendix 2: UKPSF Diagnostic Tool: 22
Appendix 3: University Teaching Observation Report Form 25
Notes 28
PGCAP: Handbook for Academic Probation Advisers
Introduction
This Handbook provides a guide to the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) for you, as a Probation Adviser supporting a new member of academic staff. It should inform you about the nature of the programme being undertaken by the New Lecturer and enable you to relate your discussions more effectively to its requirements.
Section One is an overview of the PGCAP, including how it is structured and assessed.
Section Two relates to the role of the Probation Adviser in relation to the PGCAP with supporting materials that include suggestions for activities and discussion points.
Section Three is a brief summary of alternatives to the PGCAP which might be relevant for non-standard academic probation.
Carol Newbold, PGCAP Programme Director
Contact Information
The PGCAP is provided by the Centre for Academic Practice, formerly the Teaching Centre.
Key contacts are:Programme Director
Carol Newbold /
Ext. 223768
PGCAP Administrator
Jayne Spendlove /
Ext. 228042
Teaching Observation Co-ordinator
Jo Wilkins /
Ext. 223767
Director, Centre for Academic Practice
Dr. Carol Robinson /
Ext. 228252
Assistant Director (Academic Practice)
Dr. Nick Allsopp /
Ext 564662
General queries email:
Training for Academic Probation Advisers
Workshops about the role of the Academic Probation Adviser are led by representatives from the Centre for Academic Practice (CAP), Human Resources and the PVC(R) (or nominated representative).
The workshops in 2015/16 are:
Academic Probation Adviser Training 6 January 2016, 10am – 12 noon
13 April 2016, 10am-12 noon
Workshop booking is via my.HR using the Learning tab at the top of the home page:
https://myhr.lboro.ac.uk/tlive_ess/ess/index.html#/login
Section One: Overview of the PGCAP
The following information provides general information about the programme in the form of questions. The programme specification is in Appendix One.
What is the PGCAP?
The Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) is a credit-bearing programme (TCPT01) comprising four 15-credit modules. It was launched in September 2014. It is based on a model of academic practice which demonstrates the interrelationships between teaching, research and enterprise. Research can be pedagogic-related and/or subject-specific. It is a part-time, two year course of study, delivered by blended learning.
Who is it for?
The PGCAP is mandatory for new lecturers on academic probation at Loughborough University. It can also be taken by other staff seeking a qualification to support their academic practice.
What are the benefits?
The PGCAP has been introduced in order to:
· Extend opportunities for undertaking a teaching award to a wide range of staff who teach and/or support learning in the University
· Ensure taught accredited provision is integrated into the wider CPD Framework of the University
· Provide a progressive step within a suite of programmes that can also lead to Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice or MA in Academic Practice
· Offer professional recognition at Descriptor 2 of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF), i.e. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
The PGCAP replaces the non-credit bearing New Lecturers’ Course.
What does it involve?
The blended learning delivery includes full-day and half-day Study Days and workshops, as well as self-study. The four modules, all compulsory are:
· TCP001: Introduction to Academic Practice (year 1)
· TCP002: The Responsive Curriculum (year 1)
· TCP003: Research, Scholarship and Professional Practice (year 2)
· TCP004: Evaluating and Enhancing Practice (year 2)
Participants are assessed by coursework and a Summative Teaching Observation must be passed in order to complete the Certificate.
Who oversees the PGCAP?
The Centre for Academic Practice is the owning department for the Programme. It has been designated a School for the purposes of the suite of programmes of which the PGCAP is one part. An Academic Practice Programme Steering Committee ensures appropriate overview of the quality and standards of the provision.
What is the impact of the PGCAP on academic probation?
Satisfactory completion of the PGCAP is a requirement for new lecturers on academic probation. The PGCAP takes into account contact time with the Probation Advisor, workshop attendance relating to research /enterprise and reflection on Work Plans and PRPs. Delivery is supported by the Research Office, Enterprise Office, Glendonbrook Centre and the Library. Reports on the progress of new lecturers taking the PGCAP will be made available to HR following the PGCAP Assessment Boards.
When can participants start the PGCAP?
There are three start points for the PGCAP – September, January and April. A New Lecturer on academic probation will start on the date nearest to their probation date at the University. Instructions for completing the online application form are on the Centre for Academic Practice website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/cap/
How much time does it take?
The PGCAP takes two years to complete. A 60-credit programme has an expectation of approximately 600 hours of study. The PGCAP is designed to integrate into participants’ professional roles and a substantial proportion of study time will therefore comprise normal work-based activity. Meetings with the probation adviser are considered to be part of the study time.
In summary, successful completion over two years involves:
· Eight hours for meetings with Probation Advisor
· Attendance of approximately 28 hours for face-to-face Study Days (16 hours in year one; 12 hours in year two)
· Attendance of approximately 27 hours for face-to-face workshops (12 hours in year one; 15 hours in year two)
· Satisfactory completion of ten summatively assessed tasks over four 15-credit modules
· Two observations of teaching, one by an experienced colleague and one by a University Assessor; the latter is one of the summatively assessed tasks and must be graded Satisfactory or higher (TCP004)
· Two peer observations of teaching, one where the participant observes an experienced colleague and one where a PGCAP colleague is observed (TCP001)
· Sufficient self-study to enable satisfactory completion of assessments; module leaders will provide activities and resources to facilitate self-study
Why is accreditation of the PGCAP important?
The programme is accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA). The programme aligns with Descriptor 2 of the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education (UKPSF).
Colleagues who successfully complete the programme will be automatically eligible for the conferred status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) through the Academy's Professional Recognition Scheme. This is a portable asset of relevance to anyone teaching in UK higher education institutions. The University now collects data on teaching qualifications of staff for the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA). A self-diagnostic to map activities to the UKPSF is in Appendix 2. This can be used by New Lecturers at the start of the programme and reviewed at key points as they progress.
How is the PGCAP Structured?
The PGCAP comprises four core 15 credit modules which are taken over a two year period TCP001, TCP002 and TCP003 each span one semester, whereas TCP004 runs over two semesters:
module code / module title / yearTCP001 / Introduction to Academic Practice / 1
TCP002 / The Responsive Curriculum / 1
TCP003 / Research, Scholarship and Professional Practice / 2
TCP004 / Evaluating and Enhancing Practice / 2
TCP001 and TCP002 must be successfully completed prior to starting year two of the PGCAP.
There are nine graded assessments over the course of the programme. These include the following:
module / task / module weightingTCP001 / 1. Work Plan or Pedagogy Strategy / 20%
2. Literature Engagement / 40%
Peer observation / 40%
TCP002 / 1. Online activity / 20%
2. Case study based on Teaching Practice / 80%
TCP003 / 1. Group Poster / 30%
2. Action Research Proposal / 70%
TCP004 / 1. Online Activity / 20%
2. Portfolio / 60%
3. Teaching Observation / 20% (must be passed)
What are the key dates?
In 2015/16 there will be a September cohort and a January cohort. For members of staff who register after 11th January, there will be a third cohort in April to provide a further opportunity to undertake TCP001. January and April cohorts will combine for the second module, TCP002.
Key dates for Study Days and assessment points for the first two modules are as follows:
Cohort / TCP001 / TCP002Study Day / Assessment points / Study Day / Assessment points
Task 1 / Task 2 / Task 3 / Task 1 / Task 2
September 2015
cohort 1 / 22/09/15
23/09/15 / 09/10/15 / 06/11/15 / 11/12/15 / 13/01/16 / 26/02/16 / 01/04/16
January 2016
cohort 2 / 11/01/16
12/01/16 / 29//01/16 / 26/02/16 / 01/04/16 / Sept 2016
Date tbc / Nov 2016
Date tbc / Dec 2016
Date tbc
April 2016
cohort 3 / 11/04/16
12/04/16 / 29/04/16 / 27/05/16 / 01/07/16
Key dates for those who have already completed the first module are:
Study Day for TCP002
January and April 2015 starters 21/09/2015
Study Days for TCP003:
September 2014 starters 15/09/2015
January & April 2015 starters 21/01/2016
Study Days for TCP004:
September 2014 starters 18/09/2015 (A) and 15/01/2016 (B)
January & April 2015 starters 22/01/2016 (A) and 15/09/2016 (B)
How do the workshops fit in?
Flexibility for each module is provided by half-day workshops that run independently from the Study Days.
Participants on academic probation will note that there are specific workshops that must be taken in order to meet probation requirements. Workshop participation is integrated into the assessment requirements for the PGCAP.
Two workshops must be selected and attended for each of the modules TCP001, TCP002 and TCP003. TCP004 is slightly different; with compulsory attendance on two sessions: Making the Most of your Voice and Planning for Impact from your Research. In addition, evidence of participation on one continuing professional development (CPD) activity is required. Figure 1 shows how the workshops are linked to each module. It also shows the compulsory workshops for those on academic probation.
27
© Centre for Academic Practice, Loughborough University 2015
PGCAP: Handbook for Academic Probation Advisers
Figure 1: Diagram Showing Professional Development Workshop Requirement for PGCAP
27
© Centre for Academic Practice, Loughborough University 2015
PGCAP: Handbook for Academic Probation Advisers
Table 1 shows the ‘set list’ of professional development workshops available in 2015/16. They are identified through the broad themes of research, enterprise or teaching, together with an indication of how each aligns with the UKPSF. Starred workshops indicate compulsory attendance for participants on academic probation.
Table 1: Professional Development Workshops for PGCAP 2015/16
Workshop Title / Theme / UKPSFAcademia and Enterprise (TCP002)
(compulsory for all participants) / Enterprise / A5, K1, V3, V4
Communicating your Research to a Wider Audience / Research
Enterprise / A5, K1, V1, V2,V3, V4
Designing for Inclusivity / Teaching / A1, A4, V1,V2,V4
*Developing your Publication Strategy (TCP002) / Research / A5, K1, V3, V4
Embedding Ethical Thinking in Research and Teaching / Teaching
Research / A1, K6, V1, V4
Engaging Learning with Large Classes/Lectures / Teaching / A2, K2, K4
*Fundamentals of PhD Supervision (TCP003) / Teaching
Research / A4, K1, V3, V4
Inclusive Assessment / Teaching / A1, A2, A3, K2, K4
Making the Most of your Voice (TCP004 – (compulsory for all participants) / Teaching / A2, V2, V4
Managing Research Projects / Research / A5, K1, V3, V4
Plagiarism: Teaching to Avoid It / Teaching / A4, K3, V1
*Planning for Impact from your Research (TCP004) / Research
Enterprise / A5, K1, V3, V4
Presenting for Effective Learning / Teaching / A2, K5
Student Learning through Critical Thinking / Teaching / A2, K1,K3,V2
Supervising Undergraduate and Masters Projects / Teaching
Research / A2, A5, K1, K3
V1, V3
Teaching Small Groups / Teaching / A2, K2,V1
Teaching and Supporting Students with a Neurodiversity / Teaching / A2, A4,K2,V1
*Working in the Current Research Environment (TCP001) / Research / A5, K1, V3, V4
*Writing Successful Research Grant Proposals (TCP001) / Research / A5, V4
*compulsory for academic probation
What observations of teaching take place?
Your New Lecturer undergoes two teaching observations as part of the programme. The standard Teaching Observation Report Form is used. A copy of the form is in Appendix Three. The process for teaching observations, including advice about completing the form, is set out in the Handbook for Teaching Observations. This can be located on the PGCAP Handbook page on Learn http://learn.lboro.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10013
1. Formative observation (year 1, part of module TCP002)
This must be conducted by an experienced colleague in the School/department, often the Probation Adviser. However you can discuss alternative choices of observer with your probationer. As a ‘formative’ observation, the grading does not contribute to the final assessment mark. However, the New Lecturer is expected to draw on the experience and feedback to inform future practice. Depending on the teaching timetable, the formative observation may need to take place before TCP002 is started.