Learning and Teaching Staff Development Programmes

Learning and Teaching Development Programmes

The Learning and Teaching Academy (LTA) offers a dynamic programme of support tailored to the diverse needs of the HW community. This includes opportunities for developing, enhancing, and empowering colleagues in their teaching practice. The LTA provide support for those taking their first steps into university teaching and create development opportunities for staff who have more experience in teaching, who may be leading academic programmes or learning and teaching initiatives.

The LTA have a range of taught provision as follows:

• Getting started with teaching at HW – These two workshops provide the fundamental skills for those who are just starting out with teaching in higher education e.g. demonstrators, tutors, markers as well as newly Approved Teachers or Assistant Professors. Participants must complete both workshops. Book via the LTA website.
• New to teaching network – This community of practice of those new to teaching or new to teaching at HW meets monthly to share practice on teaching and learning. The monthly meetings provide an opportunity to engage with guest speakers, develop understanding of teaching at HW, and access peer support. Open to anyone within their first three years of teaching at Heriot-Watt. Join the network.
• Learning About Learning course – This formal postgraduate course is centred on reflective professional practice, providing detailed pedagogical study of learning and teaching, as well as practical support to develop teaching skills. Successful completion leads to the award of Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). Applicants must have previous teaching experience and current teaching responsibilities in keeping with Descriptor 1 of the Professional Standards Framework in order to meet the minimum entry criteria. Full details on this and the application process is on the 'Learning About Learning' section on the LTA website.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning (PGCertTL) – This formal 2-year -postgraduate programme builds on 'Learning About Learning' to provide more detailed pedagogical study of learning and teaching, opportunities for reflective practice, practical support, and scholarship. Successful completion leads to the award of Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Applicants must have previous teaching experience and current teaching responsibilities in keeping with Descriptor 2 of the Professional Standards Framework in order to meet the minimum entry criteria. Full details on this and the application process is on the PGCertTL section on the LTA website.

More details on each of these programmes are available on the 'Inspiring Teaching' section of the LTA website.

As well as taught provision, the LTA provide support to extend your teaching practice. See the LTA website for more information.