Framewrk prvisins University pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs Aalbrg University Versin 071216 Sectin 1. Objectives f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is a research based pedaggical cmpetence develpment curse which prvides assistant prfessrs and ther curse participants with a pedaggical and didactic fundatin fr a permanent career at Aalbrg University r anther institutin f higher educatin. The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs at Aalbrg University is a key element in the system fr quality assurance f the study prgrammes ffered by the University. PBL is the pivt f university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs, and in taking PBL as its pint f departure, the verall bjective f the curse is t develp and ensure that assistant prfessrs have the pedaggical cmpetences required t undertake class teaching, supervisin, curse planning and examinatins in university curses. Cmpleting a curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs r a similar curse is a prerequisite fr tenure as an assciate prfessr at Aalbrg University, cf. Aalbrg University s plicy fr the pedaggical cmpetence develpment f teaching staff at http://www.kvalitetssikring.aau.dk/paedaggiskkmpetenceudvikling/plitik-paedaggisk-kmpetenceudvikling/ (in Danish). University pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is ffered with reference t Circular n prceedings cncerning certain emplyment cnditins fr academic staff at universities, stipulating that tenure as assciate prfessr presuppses cmpletin f a curse in university pedaggy https://www.retsinfrmatin.dk/frms/r0710.aspx?id=174476 (in Danish). University pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs at Aalbrg University is based n the prblem and prjectbased learning mdel (PBL); the bjective f the curse is t qualify attendees fr undertaking teaching activities based n pedaggical principles at a high level, with a particular emphasis n PBL. University pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs fcuses n teaching and supervisin within the University s general curse prtfli aimed at bachelr and master students as well as target grups with business 1
experience under the auspices f the University s part-time master curses and ther curses f further and cntinuing educatin. University pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is rganised as a cmbinatin f curse mdules and feedback n attendees wn teaching and supervisin prvided by their study grup as well as by academic and pedaggical supervisrs. While participating in these activities, the assistant prfessrs will wrk t achieve the cmpetence gals f the curse. University pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs includes bligatry English language certificatin, emphasising cmmunicative as well as pedaggical and didactic challenges when using English as the medium f instructin. English language screening and certificatin take place as integral activities under university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs and include certificatin at C1 level in CEFR (Cmmn Eurpean Framewrk f Reference fr Languages). English certificatin at C1 level is a prerequisite fr passing university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. (3) The verall aim f university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is fr assistant prfessrs t acquire cmpetences in: applying Aalbrg University s principles f prblem-based learning in all f their activities at Aalbrg University applying relevant pedaggical and didactic methds and theries in their develpment, planning and implementatin f individual curses as well as extended teaching activities and supervisin, taking int cnsideratin the target grup f the individual activity applying relevant IT tls in cmmunicating and rganising teaching activities cnducting teaching activities fr target audiences f varying types and sizes, including classrm teaching cnducted in English supervising and leading learning prcesses based n the principles f prblem-based learning and prblem-based prject wrk, including supervisin in English cnducting examinatins accrding t the learning bjectives stipulated in the curricula and regulatins and the rules regarding examinatins and assessments actively engaging in the cntinuus develpment, evaluatin and quality assurance f the prgrammes ffered by the University Furthermre, anther essential aim f university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is fr assistant prfessrs t acquire cmpetences in: reflecting n their wn teaching and supervisin in their cntinuus evaluatin and develpment f these activities identifying and cmmunicating their wn needs fr further pedaggical training, and, by extensin, being able t fcus n develping their wn teaching skills 2
Each f the curse mdules f university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is aimed at supprting the develpment f ne r several f the abve cmpetences. University pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs takes int accunt Aalbrg University s status as an internatinal wrkplace which has Danish and English as its fficial wrk languages. Thus, university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs ffers activities and resurces in bth Danish and English. The cmpsitin f study grups and language requirements will be cnsidered in the practical planning and implementatin f the curse. Sectin 2. Duratin, structure, cntent, etc. The scpe f university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is 1/6 academic staff full time equivalent. The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs is scheduled fr cmpletin within ne year. The curse must be cmpleted within tw years. In the event that assistant prfessrs d nt cmplete the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs within tw years, they must send an applicatin fr admissin t a new curse t the secretariat f university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. The applicatin must cntain the written apprval f their head f department. Please refer t sectin 6 n special regulatins and exceptins.. The curse cmprises: Five cmpulsry curse mdules Cmpulsry English language certificatin A minimum f three elective curse mdules Pedaggical/didactical supervisin and teaching bservatin prvided by the pedaggical supervisr and an expert supervisr Cllegial sparring in small study grups, including participatin in teaching bservatin Individual learning reprt based n a prblem based apprach (3) The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs includes the fllwing five cmpulsry curse mdules: 1. Teaching at a PBL University 2. Planning and Implementatin f Grup Instructin 3. The Use f IT and Media fr Learning and Teaching 4. The PBL Grup Cllabratin, Prcess and Supervisin 5. Planning, Develpment and Quality Assurance f Study Prgrammes 3
Each f the cmpulsry curse mdules is cncluded with a cmpulsry reflective assignment, which is included in the verall assessment f the cmpletin f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. The cntent and structure f the cmpulsry curse mdules are described in mre detail in sectin 3. (4) The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs includes a minimum f three elective curse mdules: The assistant prfessrs may select a minimum f three elective curse mdules presented in the catalgue f elective curse mdules. The apprval f an elective curse mdule requires active participatin in the selected mdule, cf. the descriptin f active participatin. One f the required elective curse mdules may be replaced by the participatin in ther equivalent activities. Fr further infrmatin g t sectin 4.. (5) When cmmencing the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs, each assistant prfessr will have tw supervisrs assigned t them. A pedaggical supervisr and an expert supervisr appinted frm the assistant prfessr s department/academic envirnment. Each f the supervisrs will bserve a number f teaching and supervisin activities in each f the tw semesters f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs and ffer pedaggical and didactic supervisin in relatin t these activities. The reflective assignments cmpleted as part f the cmpulsry curse mdules will be included in the supervisin. In their individual learning reprt, each assistant prfessr must dcument their participatin in the pedaggical and didactic supervisin. Thus, the assistant prfessrs are required t include in their learning reprt their persnal reflectins n the supervisr s cntributins. (6) The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs includes a cmpulsry English language certificatin. When cmmencing the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs, all assistant prfessrs must participate in a screening prcess identifying their individual language skills and needs; subsequently, assistant prfessrs are either 1) referred t participate in the final language certificatin withut further instructin r 2) ffered participatin in recmmended English curses. These curses are cnducted by AAU Language and Cmmunicatin Services (LACS) and are thus nt part f the curse catalgue f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. The cntent and structure f the cmpulsry English language certificatin are described in mre detail in sectin 3. 4
(7) When cmmencing the curse, all participants are divided int study grups. Within their assigned study grups, the assistant prfessrs are required t bserve and prvide feedback n the teaching and supervisin activities f their peers. In their individual learning reprt, each assistant prfessr must dcument their participatin in peer wrk in the small study grups, including participatin in teaching bservatin. Thus, the assistant prfessrs are required t include in their learning reprt their persnal reflectins n the bservatin f the teaching and supervisin activities cnducted by a clleague and the feedback they have received frm clleagues n their wn teaching and supervisin activities. (8) As part f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs, the assistant prfessrs are required t cmplete a learning reprt. The bjective f the learning reprt is: - t cntribute t the retentin f assistant prfessrs, t aid them in rganising and reflecting n their wn pedaggical practice and develpment thrughut the curse in university pedaggy - t define and qualify the bjectives and strategies fr the future pedaggical develpment f the assistant prfessrs (9) Befre cmpleting their curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs, the assistant prfessrs must submit their individually cmpleted learning reprts. When preparing written assessments n the assistant prfessrs, their tw supervisrs will take the learning reprts int accunt. The learning reprt must be at least 5 standard pages and n mre than 10 standard pages (a standard page is defined as 2,400 characters, including spaces). The reflective assignments cmpleted as part f the cmpulsry curse mdules must be attached t the submitted learning reprt. Furthermre, an activity lg must be attached t the learning reprt; the activity lg must include infrmatin n cllegial sparring, teaching bservatin and pedaggical and expert supervisin. Sectin 3. Cmpulsry curse mdules and English language certificatin cntent and structure The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs includes the fllwing five cmpulsry curse mdules: Curse mdule 1: Teaching at a PBL University This mdule prvides a research based, theretical frame f reflectin fr prblem-based learning pedaggy and fcuses n the cnnectin between teaching, supervisin and student learning prcesses within a PBL envirnment. The mdule is based n the participants wn understanding f PBL and seeks t expand and deepen this understanding thrugh theretical input. Thus, PBL is nt nly characterised as a fundatin based n experience but als n research and thery, and taking this as their pint f 5
departure, the participants shuld be able t psitin their wn understanding, practice and develpment in relatin t PBL. the participants must reflect n their wn practice by applying the knwledge and theries f the mdule Curse mdule 2: Planning and Implementatin f Grup Instructin This mdule fcuses n the planning and implementatin f teaching activities invlving grups f varius types and sizes. This may include lectures fr hundreds f participants, seminars and wrkshps fr small grups f students; class rm teaching invlving students f identical year grups and study prgrammes and teaching grups cmprised f varius different types f students; teaching students face t face and teaching in varius types f mediated settings. Teaching is funded in research-based knwledge and literature n teaching and planning. The rle f the lecturer and the pprtunities t supprt student learning will frm the key fcal pints f this mdule. the participants must reflect n their wn practice by applying the knwledge and theries f the mdule Curse mdule 3: The Use f IT and Media fr Learning and Teaching The mdule fcuses n the applicatin f IT and media technlgy in the pedaggical planning and implementatin f teaching activities; this includes ways in which IT, media technlgy and labs may help activate students. The mdule cvers several types f technlgy applicatins, such as the applicatin f vide cnferencing systems and the IT platfrms currently in use at Aalbrg University (such as Mdle and Mahara) and hw these may be put t best pssible use in a PBL cntext. The mdule als intrduces participants t the applicatin f cmmnly used file sharing systems, such as Drpbx, Ggle+ etc. and cmmunicatinal tls such as PPT. The mdule is taught thrugh the integratin f specific technlgies and media technlgies, and thus takes the frm f blended learning invlving, fr instance, vide sessins, nline curses etc. the participants must reflect n their wn practice by applying the knwledge and theries f the mdule 6
Curse mdule 4: The PBL Grup Cllabratin, Prcess and Supervisin The mdule fcuses n the wrking cmmunity f the grup and n hw the supervisr may supprt the varius stages f a prject r case. The key elements f the mdule are the cmmunicative aspects f supervisin and hw the supervisr may supprt students in prject management, cperatin and in reflecting n their wn learning. Theretical perspectives n varius types f grups and supervisrs are discussed in relatin t the participants wn experiences as supervisrs. The bjective is t challenge the participants t prepare their wn persnal guidelines fr practising effective supervisin in a prblembased learning envirnment. Cllabrative difficulties within the grup and caching as a means t slve such issues are included as a separate theme. the participants must reflect n their wn practice by applying the knwledge and theries f the mdule Curse mdule 5: Planning, Develpment and Quality Assurance f Study Prgrammes The first part f the mdule fcuses n the educatinal perspectives f the planning and develpment f study prgrammes. The curriculum as the framewrk fr teaching and learning is f particular imprtance. The mdule fcuses n hw gd learning bjectives are defined and hw the rganisatin f teaching and supervisin activities may ptimise the educatinal and didactic fundatin fr students in achieving these learning bjectives. The secnd part f the mdule includes a number f themes which address the varius frmalities cnnected with study prgrammes. One f the themes cvered in this mdule is grading and assessment; this includes a presentatin f varius regulatins, laws and prcedures and the varius rles assigned t examiners and c-examiners during examinatins and the assessment f examinatins. Furthermre, AAU s system f quality assurance and quality assurance prcedures, such as teaching assessment, are included as a theme. the participants must reflect n their wn practice by applying the knwledge and theries f the mdule Certificatin in English as a Medium f Instructin English language screening and certificatin take place as integral activities under university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs and include certificatin at C1 level in CEFR (Cmmn Eurpean Framewrk f Reference fr Languages). When cmmencing the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs, all assistant prfessrs must participate in a screening prcess identifying their individual English language skills. In the screening prcess, participants present an excerpt f a lecture in their wn field and read and discuss a shrt unknwn article. The instructr then assesses whether they live up t the internatinally recgnised C1 English certificatin level criteria r if they need t participate in upgrading curses. The assistant prfessrs wh are clse t the C1 level and need n further instructin, are referred t participate in the 7
final language certificatin, which is scheduled t take place at the end f the spring semester. The assistant prfessrs wh are recmmended t participate in English curses are ffered t attend ne r several curses prir t the final certificatin. The prcess f the final language certificatin is almst identical t the screening prcess; hwever, the instructr as well as a c-examiner will be present at the certificatin. The verall assessment emphasises bth language skills and the cmmunicatinal, educatinal and didactic challenges f teaching in English. Thus, as part f the English language certificatin prcess, all participants are required t attend a final certificatin (test). Certificatin at C1 level English is a prerequisite fr passing university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. Assistant prfessrs wh d nt manage t reach the C1 level at the first attempt will be ffered further and mre intensive instructin and a secnd attempt t achieve the final certificatin. Assistant prfessrs wh, after the secnd attempt, need additinal instructin and a third attempt t reach the C1 level must ask their department t fund any further certificatin activities. A mre detailed descriptin f the English language certificatin (screening, curses and certificatin) is prvided by AAU Language and Cmmunicatin Services (LACS) and is available in Mdle. Sectin 4. Elective curse mdules In additin t the five cmpulsry curse mdules and the English language certificatin, assistant prfessrs are required t select (at least) three elective curse mdules within pedaggy and/r didactics presented in the catalgue f elective curse mdules. The elective curse mdules ffered each year will vary; new elective mdules may be develped, while thers may be discntinued accrding t develpmental trends and challenges f a structural r plitical nature. Cncrete requests r indicatins frm cuncils fr educatin, student cuncils, heads f departments, schls r study bards at AAU may als cause fr elective mdules t be ffered. Hwever, elective curse mdules in PBL and IT are always included in the catalgue f elective curse mdules. One f the required elective curse mdules may be replaced by the cmpletin f a scientific paper within the field f pedaggy/didactics as chsen by the participants; participatin in cnferences f relevance t the educatinal field may als replace a mdule. Replacement f an elective curse mdule is nly pssible if the alternative activity is carried ut after cmmencement and befre cmpletin f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. Sectin 5. Cmpleting the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs Cmpleting the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs requires: 1) active participatin in cmpulsry curse mdules, active participatin in pedaggical and expert supervisin and active participatin in at least three elective curse mdules. Active participatin means attending supervisin and the curses and wrkshps ffered as part f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs; mrever, participants are required t wrk n the subject material as described in the framewrk prvisins f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs 2) English language certificatin at C1 level in the CEFR scale 8
3) participatin in teaching bservatin and teaching supervisin (this must be dcumented in an activity lg, which must be attached t the learning reprt; the activity lg must include the dates f such bservatin and supervisin) 4) participatin in peer wrk in small study grups. This must be dcumented in the individual assistant prfessr s learning reprt, which must include written reflectins n the respnse received frm their peers f their teaching/supervisin activities as well as their wn reflectins n teaching/supervisin activities cnducted by their peers 5) submissin f a written learning reprt, which serves as dcumentatin f the participants thrugh study and reflectins n the cmpleted curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs; the learning reprt must a) dcument hw participants have succeeded in achieving the educatinal bjectives and b) prvide perspectives fr their future educatinal develpment The learning reprt and its attached dcuments (reflective assignments and activity lg) may be written in Danish, English r a Scandinavian language (Swedish r Nrwegian). On the basis f the abve criteria, the tw supervisrs (the pedaggical supervisr and the lcal expert supervisr) assess whether participants have succeeded in achieving the educatinal bjectives f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. The supervisrs must cmplete a written pedaggical supervisr assessment cmprising a maximum f tw pages. The supervisr assessment must be written in English. In additin t the supervisr assessment, the assistant prfessrs receive a certificate as prf f their cmpletin f the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs. The certificate text is written in Danish and English. Sectin 6. Special regulatins and exceptins In the event that an assistant prfessr starts but des nt cmplete the AAU curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs, the assistant prfessr can be entitled t a partial transfer f ne r mre mandatry mdules. A transfer f ne r mre mandatry curse mdules requires that a reflectin assignment regarding the mdule has been frmally registered by the secretariat befrehand. The curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs must be cmpleted within tw years, cf. sectin 2. Exceptins frm the tw-year rule must be justified by lng-term illness, maternity/paternity leave r ther exceptinal circumstances and must be frmally granted by the participant s department and faculty befre the tw-year deadline expires. Sectin 7. Cmmencement These framewrk prvisins and learning bjectives will apply t assistant prfessrs cmmencing the curse in university pedaggy fr assistant prfessrs in the autumn f 2016. Sectin 8 Additinal infrmatin In additin t the framewrk prvisins annex guidelines will be prvided fr the learning reprt; the study grup wrk etc. Als prcedures fr submissin f assignments, guidelines fr credit pint transfer applicatin etc. will be described in separate frm 9