Teaching and Learning Development Programmes
Here you can explore a range of programmes aimed at developing your teaching and learning practice.
New Academics Programme (NAP)
The Faculty’s New Academics Programme (NAP) is a requirement of probation for newly appointed academic staff. The NAP is designed to support colleagues in relation to the full breadth of duties associated with their post. The requirements of NAP will vary depending on career track.
The teaching elements of the NAP are accredited by Advance HE against Descriptor 2 of the UK Professional Standard Framework. Upon successful completion of the NAP teaching units and assessments, and subject to meeting the criteria for Descriptor 2, you will be eligible for Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Dr Daniella Ryding is the NAP Academic Lead in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and is supported by Dan Jagger (NAP Operations Manager) and Lindsay Foster (NAP Administrative Assistant). For any queries related to the NAP, please contact fse.nap@manchester.ac.uk in the first instance.
Further information is available on the NAP StaffNet page.
Foundations of Teaching and Learning
The Foundations of Teaching and Learning has been designed to support colleagues who have significant teaching and learning responsibilities but are ineligible for the NAP. The programme consists of five modules, with each module requiring no more than two hours of commitment split between self-guided study and a synchronous session. The modules are:
- Teaching Design and Delivery
- Managing Student Behaviours and Expectations
- The Effective Project Supervisor
- Student Support Classes and Tutorials
- Assessment, Marking and Feedback.
A sixth module – Practical Sessions: Labs and PC Clusters – is available to colleagues who will be teaching in these environments.
Delivery of the programme aims to model best blended learning practice by offering participants flexibility to engage with the study material at a convenient time. The programme is aimed at PDRAs, Teaching Assistants, Visiting Lecturers, Lab Experimental Officers and other colleagues who deliver teaching and learning activities to UG and PGT students.
For further information and to enrol on the programme, please contact fse.cpd@manchester.ac.uk.
Please note that this programme is not suitable for Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs). For information on GTA training, please visit the Faculty’s GTA Hub.
LEAP
The Leadership in Education Awards Programme (LEAP) is open to all colleagues who deliver – or support the delivery – of teaching and learning at the University. The programme will support you to recognise, document and evidence your teaching practice and is an opportunity to receive fellowship of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy).
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
The PGCert in Higher Education is open to academic staff at all levels, senior Professional Services (PS) colleagues and those working at the University’s library and cultural assets. Run by the Manchester Institute of Education, the PGCert in Higher Education introduces relevant pedagogical theory and literature to allow you to:
- think critically about your contribution to the University;
- develop a deeper understanding of the national and global Higher Education context;
- progress in terms of your professional confidence, personal effectiveness and long-term career strategies.
The PGCert is a 60 credit programme, with participants able to choose from eight 15-credit modules. A number of qualifications, including successful completion of the NAP and Advance HE fellowship, can be presented as accredited prior learning up to a maximum of 30 credits.
Find out more about the PGCert in Higher Education
Leaders in Teaching
The Leaders in Teaching Programme supports and develops those involved in, or aspiring to, teaching and learning leadership positions. Organised by the Institute of Teaching and Learning, the programme explore topics such as the development of teams and collaboration, effective communication, awareness and empathy and the ability to respond positively to challenges. Sessions are tailored to meet the cohort’s needs following discussions held during the first workshop.
For more information and to apply, visit the Leaders in Teaching webpage.
ITL Fellowships
ITL Fellowships provide colleagues with the opportunity to develop and deliver a strategically-aligned project to enhance an aspect of teaching and learning across the University, all while working in partnership with students to effect positive change. Fellowships are open to academic and PS colleagues across the University. Fellowship projects led by FSE colleagues include:
Academics in residence and support for commuter students (Dr Nick Weise)
Developing learning interventions to eliminate unexplained attainment gaps (Steven Broom)
Students as course creators on a new ‘independent study’ course unit (Dr James Brooks)
Providing effective support to WP students from application through to end of year 1 (Dr Emily Cooksey)
Designing smarter assessments (Prof David Schultz)
Student ‘study expenditure’ and its alignment to the ‘study budget’ (Dr Neil Morrison)
Calls for fellowship proposals are made annually, following a series of drop-in sessions offering colleagues the opportunity to find out more about the fellowship process. For further details on the work of Institute Fellows, visit the ITL Projects webpage.
