Course Summary
This new programme builds on your knowledge, understanding and skills gained in the PgC Academic Practice (or equivalent) - it aims to extend your capability as an academic practitioner in both disciplinary scholarship and research, and leadership skills within a constantly changing and challenging learning environment.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Foundations of Academic Practice
This first module starts with an introduction to the programme, its content, philosophy and interdisciplinary approach. The content is clustered within four main areas: concepts of teaching, learning and assessment; effective learning environments; learning design and quality assurance; and contemporary debates in Higher Education. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative and peer learning, using technologies to enable learning through reflection and dialogue on practice throughout.
Assessment of this module is a digital patchwork text assessment undertaken throughout the semester, and the production of an e-portfolio to demonstrate how you meet the professional standards related to your role. A digital patchwork text includes a range of different pieces of work pulled together through a critically reflective commentary: patches will relate directly to your individual context, and will include critical engagement with theory and reflection on your practice in teaching or learning support, together with peer review of your practice. This module level equates to Associate Fellow HE Academy and NMC Practice Teacher standard.
Advancing Academic Practice
The second module of the programme engages you with a deeper and focussed critical evaluation of approaches to teaching, learning and assessment through scholarship and practitioner research, and the factors involved in changing practice. It includes further examination of professional values incorporating commitment to individual continuing professional development, engagement with communities of practitioners, and respect for the characteristics of individual learners.
Online resources and workshops support your studies, with a particular focus on the changing nature of HE practice, your role in managing this through practitioner research, and your collaborative work with peers. Assessments for the module include a piece of small-scale research on your current practice written up for publication, and production of an e-portfolio to demonstrate how you meet the professional standards related to your role. This module level equates to Fellow HE Academy and NMC Teacher.
Planning Enquiry
This module requires you to frame a research proposal related to your own area of academic practice, through a critical consideration of philosophical perspectives underpinning various schools of research, the nature, value and purposes of academic enquiry, and the notions of teaching as a research-based profession and evidence-based practice. The assessment is the research proposal which will be subsequently undertaken in your dissertation.
Dissertation
This module enables you to consolidate your knowledge, skills and understanding in an area of academic policy or practice by conducting a substantial piece of empirical research linked to improvement of your own professional practice. The dissertation is a 15,000 word paper.
Option modules
Leadership in Changing Academic Contexts
This 30 credit ‘stand alone’ M-Level module is suitable for all current and aspiring leaders and managers, and provides an opportunity for you to critically evaluate the nature of academic leadership within your personal working context. You will develop a critical awareness of the emerging complex and varied dimensions of leadership in different contexts and settings, to support you to lead learning and change for improvement. It is aligned to the UK PSF Standard 3 and to the Leadership and Management Framework and Development programme.
Using a blended learning method, the module focuses on the strategies leaders employ to effectively manage change in relation to people, policy and professional practice. Topics of study include:
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Academic leadership in practice: the realities of leadership and management in changing academic contexts
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Developing leadership: focused opportunities to reflect on, evaluate and improve your personal approach to leadership and management
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Change management and organisational development: the role of leadership in responding to change
Discipline Research and Scholarship as Academic Practice
This 30 credit ‘stand alone’ M-Level module is suitable for all current and aspiring researchers. It aims to extend your capability as an academic practitioner in disciplinary scholarship and research within a constantly changing and challenging learning environment. It will help you to systematically explore paradigms and methodologies of knowledge creation in your disciplinary area and relate these to your wider role as an academic. Using a blended learning method you will gain:
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a critical awareness of your role in the production and transfer of knowledge
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a comprehensive understanding of contemporary research debates
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the ability to develop a well-structured research proposal
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a personal research action plan which articulates with your wider academic practice
It is linked to the Vitae Research Development Framework, enabling you to build up evidence of your research related competences opening up further research activities in your future career.
Resources and facilities
We offer a wide range of learning and information resources designed for flexible learning in addition to modern campus facilities.
All of resources you require will be made available through the virtual learning environment and additionally you will provided with a free electronic portfolio.
Entry requirements
1st or 2nd class honours degree
Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course via APL procedures
More about levels and credits
Selection criteria
You should have completed a PgC in Learning and Teaching in HE or a similar alternative (the University of Cumbria PgC has recently been revalidated as PgC Academic Practice) If you have met UK PFS Standard 2 and are an FHEA, you may wish to apply for APL. This programme is designed to embed work-place learning, and applicants must be involved in HE leadership, teaching, learning support or other academic activities whilst undertaking each module.
Applicants with the required qualifications are not normally interviewed but accepted on the strength of their references and evidence of their experience. Where an applicant has appropriate professional recognition (UK PSF standard 2) and APL application will be accepted along side interview by the programme leader.
Name: Caroline Marcangelo
Role: Senior Lecturer in Academic Development CDEPP/ Programme Leader Academic Practice
Email: caroline.marcangelo@cumbria.ac.uk
Phone: 01228 616228
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