Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) GC.Ed(HE)

2009

Program Outline

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

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) offers the opportunity for you to develop such expertise and understanding. The program is scholarly yet practical and promotes the development of graduate attributes in the context of your university or tertiary teaching and research.

The Graduate Certificate is comprised of four 3 unit courses. The courses are undertaken sequentially and include:

• University Teaching for Effective Student Learning
• Curriculum Design, Assessment and Evaluation
• Reflective Practice in Learning and Teaching
• Research Based Learning and Teaching.

Please note: the Graduate Certificate is only offered part-time over four semesters.

Admission Information

Admissions information for domestic and international students.

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

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 impact on colleagues, and more broadly.

Useful Links

• CLPD Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) outline
• Brochure
• Application Form