Macquarie University's Learning and Teaching Plan (2008-2012) requires "all new teaching staff (including casual and adjunct) to demonstrate attainment of the FILT...program goals within two years of commencement" (Goal 1).

The Foundations in Learning and Teaching has previously been run as a centralised on-campus programme over five days across each semester. Participation has been open to all new and existing staff members, which has resulted in cohorts from a diverse range of interdisciplinary backgrounds, levels of teaching experience and teaching philosophies.

Although there have been benefits in this model, including opportunities to establish networks across campus and share ideas with others from different faculties, there is now a growing need for flexibility and discipline-specific materials. The Learning and Teaching Centre will continue to offer this programme twice a year. In addition, from semester 1, 2010 you have the option of attending a faculty or department orientated and custom developed program with materials, quality assurance and support provided by LTC.

To enrol in the central FILT program, see details here.

Overview

Aims of the Foundations in Learning & Teaching Program

The Foundations in Learning and Teaching (FILT) program aims to provide Macquarie staff who are either new to teaching, or who want to explore aspects of teaching and learning practice, with the knowledge and skills to enable them to operate as effective teachers.  The theoretically based program will offer a practical, interactive and experiential approach to assist participants in their teaching at Macquarie.  Specifically it aims to introduce participants to:

• the Macquarie philosophy of learning and teaching;
• the student learning context and the implications for teaching;
• the theoretical constructs underpinning teaching, learning and curriculum development in higher education;
• the role of technologies and how they are embedded in learning and teaching environments;
• some tips on the practicalities of teaching in face-to-face and online environments;
• the concept and process of critically reflective practice; and
• the services and resources available to support teaching in face-to-face and online contexts and student learning at Macquarie.

Outcomes of the FILT Program

At the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• explain the significance of Macquarie University's policies, plans, support structures and institutional context to their own learning and teaching activities;
• draw upon the theoretical underpinnings of scholarly practice in learning and teaching to identify activities that foster student-centred learning and engagement in both face-to-face and online environments;
• investigate their own teaching and student learning context;
• demonstrate how to align unit outcomes, learning activities, assessment tasks and the provision of feedback to students;
• identify activities that incorporate inter-cultural and global perspectives into learning and teaching activities and support accessibility;
• employ critical reflection (self, peer, student, literature) to their own learning and teaching practice by developing and documenting strategies for improvement (e.g. in a teaching portfolio);
• apply e-learning strategies and tools for specific teaching contexts, and
• contribute to the capacity of new networks with other staff from across campus.

A Certificate of Program Completion will be available for inclusion in individual Teaching Portfolios. More information about Teaching Portfolios.

The Modules of the FILT program

Module 1 - Learning and Teaching at Macquarie
This Module aims to introduce you to some of the learning issues in higher education, and the theories that underpin them. The Macquarie context will be a particular focus of reflection, as will the experience and circumstances of the participants in the program.

Module 2 - Teachers and Teaching
The second Module aims to introduce the practical aspects of teaching in different contexts. Issues of student diversity and the importance of establishing inclusive environments for all will be discussed.

Module 3 - Aligning Aims, Outcomes & Assessment
Participants are introduced to the curriculum in this third Module - what we mean by the term, what it is trying to achieve, how the individual unit fits into it and how it is constructed. The importance of aligning learning goals/outcomes, teaching/learning activities and assessment tasks will be discussed.

Module 4 - Curriculum: Assessment for Effective Learning
This module aims to introduce participants to the pivotal role assessment and feedback play in student learning.

Module 5 - Evaluating Practice
The final module aims to introduce participants to the practice of evaluating teaching and curriculum - how do we know we are effective in achieving our goals, how do we document this and who do we share this with?

Articulation into the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education

Participants in FILT who have satisfied all the requirements of the program have the opportunity to articulate into the Post Graduate Certificate of Higher Education (both Learning and Teaching, and e.learning specialisms) if they complete further activities and assessment tasks.

Contact

For more information contact Marina Harvey on 9850 9779.