New Lecturer and Teacher Programme

The New Lecturer and Teacher Programme (NLTP) is delivered by the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) and is a 60M level credit, two year part-time postgraduate programme.  The programme is comprised of two 30 credit courses:

1. Principles and Practices of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.
2. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Disciplinary and Institutional Orientations.

Course 1 takes place in Year 1 and Course 2 in Year 2.  Successful completion of the NLTP leads to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice

The NLTP aims to:

• encourage a critically reflective, evidence-based approach to the practice of learning, teaching and assessment as relevant to a research-led institution;

• provide an enabling environment in which to assist the professional development of academic staff engaged in supporting student learning;

• encourage the development of learning and teaching approaches which recognise, respect and actively encourage inclusivity;

• promote dialogue within and between the disciplines across the institution with good practice and enhancing the learning environment;

• assist academic staff in keeping up to date with learning, teaching and assessment enhancements as relevant to their discipline, the institution and appropriate funding bodies.

• provide a route for academic staff to demonstrate fulfilment of the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education. (Cf Higher Education Academy’s UK Professional Standards Framework at: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/policy/framework)

Course 1: (Year 1)
Principles and Practices of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
This includes the following taught sessions:

Managing your Academic Development in a Research-intensive Institution
Evaluating your Practice 1
Student Learning
Introduction to Course Design (Institutional context/theories of design
Principles of Assessment and Feedback
Approaches to Lecturing 1
Small Group Processes 1 – Teaching and Learning (on-line)
Issues of Assessment (Plagiarism)
Evaluating your Practice 2: Peer Group Presentations

Other requirements to be undertaken in course 1:
• 3 peer group meetings
• 1 teaching observation of a lecture (By the peer group tutor)
• 1 small group teaching observation (By a member of your peer group)

NLTP 2008-09 Year 1 Timetable

Course 2: (Year 2)
Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Disciplinary and Institutional Orientations
This includes the following taught sessions:

5 disciplinary-oriented sessions:
• Research and Scholarship
• Smaller group learning environments
• Assessment
• Learning and Technology
• Course design (inclusive curriculum)

Other requirements to be undertaken in course 2:
• A selection of 3 learning, teaching and assessment workshops/seminars from Learning and Teaching Centre seminar options and/or Higher Education Academy subject network equivalent workshops / seminars
• 4 peer group meetings
• 1 peer group presentation
• 1 observation of teaching by a member of ADU or a member of the participant’s departmental academic staff

Placement in the disciplinary orientated groups is dependent on the participant selecting the one most appropriate to their work.  A schedule for year 2 with appropriate dates will be drawn up for individuals once discipline area has been selected and also once the seminar series has been finalised. 

Enrolment and Registration Details
As the NLTP is an award-bearing programme, you have to register as a postgraduate student of the University.  Please note that if you are a contracted member of staff of the University there is no course fee for this programme.  To register interest in the NLTP or to request an application pack, please contact the Ms Pamela Luthwood, Programme Secretary, tel 4864.

If you would like further advice on the Programme, please contact Dr Jane MacKenzie, Programme Coordinator: Tel: 4863  Email: jane.mackenzie@admin.gla.ac.uk

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

NLTP: Information for participants undertaking the programme prior to September 2008

The New Lecturer and Teacher Programme (NLTP) is a 2 year part-time programme leading to the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. Individuals who have successfully completed the NLTP may apply for automatic recognition as a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

The NLTP consists of a taught module, Academic Practice In Higher Education and an assessment module, Developing a Portfolio of Academic Practice. These modules aim to:

Course Aims

• Encourage a critically reflective and scholarly approach to the practice of teaching and learning in higher education.
• Enhance a research-led or research-informed approach to teaching and learning, which integrates research, theory and practice
• Introduce a number of approaches to teaching and learning which encourage versatility and innovation, whilst also supporting the development of good practice in more traditional forms of teaching.
• Develop approaches to teaching and learning which recognise and respect diversity amongst learners.
• Facilitate support from peers and experienced teachers to help participants to develop competence and confidence in their teaching role.

Module 1

The taught module, Academic Practice in Higher Education is made up of the units outlined below.

Year 1
Managing Your Professional Development as an Academic (MYPDA)
Course Design I and II (CDI &II)
Approaches to Lecturing I and II (AL I & II)
Small Group Processes I* and II (SGP I & II)
Supporting Students at Glasgow University (SSGU)

Year 2
Explorations in Learning in Higher Education (ELHE)
Assessment I, II, III and IV (ASS I, II, III, IV)
Evaluation I* and II (EVL I & II)
Supervising Postgraduate Students (SPS)
Reflections on Learning in Higher Education (RLHE)

Most of these units are offered as 3 hour workshops. Two of these are offered online (*) to allow probationers more flexibility and offer first hand experience of e-learning.

Small Group Processes II is offered as a choice between Small Group Teaching in the Laboratory or Small Group Processes in Seminars and Tutorials. Approaches to Lecturing II involves observation and feedback on one of your lectures. All units aim to enhance work-based learning and require a certain amount of self-directed study.

The taught module is offered at different times of the year thus offering alternative entry points to the programme. Route I begins in September Year 1, Route II begins in November Year 1 and Route III begins in January Year 1. Route IV begins in March Year 1 and is only offered where there are a sufficient number of participants. All routes end in September Year 2.

Module 2

Developing a Portfolio of Academic Practice is supported through peer support groups and represents the assessed component of the NLP. Participants work on the portfolio throughout the duration of the course.

The two modules are rated at 30M Level SCOTCAT credits each.

Further details and guidance will be given to all participants at the start of the programme.

Successful completion of the two modules within the probationary period constitutes the minimum University requirements for probationers with regard to professional development in teaching in Higher Education.