Enhancing Teaching Practice in Higher Education

This book explores ways in which pedagogical research, theory, models and frameworks can be used pragmatically to enhance teaching practice in higher education. It provides practical strategies, ideas, techniques and approaches drawn from literature and real-life experience, using examples from a variety of disciplines. Cross-cutting themes include developing resilience and care for ourselves, our colleagues and our students, engaging with diversity in teaching and promoting dialogue and enquiry. It also addresses the dimensions of the UK Professional Standards Framework.  Key coverage includes: Models of course and learning design and evaluation Teaching in different contexts including lectures and small groups, laboratory, studio and practice settings and supervising student research Enhancing assessment and feedback, student engagement and academic writing through inclusive practice Promoting participation in blended learning Developing students’ work-relevant skills, attributes and practices Approaches to professional development  including the role of mindfulness in teaching This is essential reading for lecturers on Higher Education Academy-accredited programmes, such as PGCTLHE, PGCAP, PG Cert HE, and for staff seeking HEA fellowship through experience-based routes, or who wish to develop more scholarly approaches to their practice.    

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction: Teaching in the changing landscape of higher education - Helen Pokorny & Digby Warren Chapter 2: Course and learning design and evaluation - Digby Warren Chapter 3: Teaching by leading and managing learning environments - Steven Cranfield Chapter 4: Assessment for learning - Helen Pokorny Chapter 5: Blended learning - Charl Fregona with Agata Sadza Chapter 6: Student engagement - Kathy Harrington, Sandra Sinfield & Tom Burns Chapter 7: Embracing student diversity - Susannah McKee & Matt Scandrett Chapter 8: Engaging with academic writing and discourse - Julian Ingle Chapter 9: Effective supervision - Dave Griffiths & Digby Warren Chapter 10: Work-related learning - Sibyl Coldham & Pauline Armsby Chapter 11: Professional development - Jennifer Bright, Rebecca Eliahoo & Helen Pokorny

About the Author :
Dr Helen Pokorny is Assistant Director of University Campus St Albans (UCSA) a joint venture between the University of Hertfordshire and Oaklands Further Education College where she is responsible for academic development. UCSA has a unique curriculum designed solely for part-time mature students which builds on prior learning credit, providing all students with advanced standing. Previously she was Director of Professional Development at the University of Westminster and a Principal Lecturer London Metropolitan University. She has maintained throughout her career an abiding commitment to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) researching and publishing on this topic and is a founding Director of the Prior Learning International Research Centre, based in Canada. She has worked with colleagues on a range of research and professional development projects publishing in the areas of assessment and feedback and student belonging. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Professor Digby Warren is Professor of Higher Education at London Metropolitan University. Digby has been working in higher education development for over 25 years. His chief area of expertise is curriculum development and higher education pedagogy, about which he has produced over 60 conference papers, published articles and book chapters - with a focus on student diversity and transformational approaches. Currently Head of the Centre for Professional and Educational Development, as a consultant member (2004-2008) of the Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development he delivered workshops at a number of UK universities, and was also co-editor of conference proceedings for the London series of International Conferences on the Scholarship of Learning & Teaching (2005 to 2010). On the international front, he played a lead role in two successful EU-funded projects (2011-2018) to modernise higher education, using curriculum and teaching development as a driver for innovation.

Review :
Everything you wanted to know about ways of improving teaching and learning, but might have been too reluctant to enquire into.   Each chapter addresses a key aspect, is taut and accessible to busy practitioners, and its main points easily understood.  Large literatures are opened invitingly to the reader and are assimilated with ease.  Helen Pokorny and Digby Warren have demonstrated just how helpful good editing can be.  I recommend this book wholeheartedly.  It should become a staple on courses for lecturers in universities and will be valuable right across the English-speaking world Enhancing teaching practice in higher education provides a timely collection of chapters covering the key topics new and existing lecturers and learning support staff need to understand to find their way through the rapidly changing HE landscape.  This scholarly volume provides an informative, practical and readable guide to the professionalisation of teaching and learning in higher education.  I highly recommend it.   This book offers an excellent overview of the areas of activity, knowledge and values that are important for all teachers in higher education. Each of the chapters articulate forms of learning that are interactive, engaging and inclusive of the diversity of learners encountered in higher education today. The authors have blended theoretical underpinnings, highly practical approaches and the use of insightful questions throughout the text, to create a highly thoughtful and useful guide for staff.  This book is a valuable resource for anyone concerned with academic professional development in the changing landscape of higher education. The chapters provide considered and reflective explorations into what it means to both teach and learn at university, rather than simply offering a ‘how to do it’ approach.  In so doing, the volume challenges HE educators to take a fresh approach to their own professional values. I am delighted to offer an endorsement  for this volume which I think makes a significant and powerful contribution to the literature in the field. This timely book contains a wealth of practical advice while being soundly research informed and evidence-based. At a time when globally Higher Education Institutions are seeking ways to recognise and reward teaching excellence, this book is invaluable. The range of contributors to this book is impressive and they are clearly guided by a strong  editorial influence, which ensures  its coherence A key aspect of the text is its focus on care for students' wellbeing as well as their learning, which demonstrates not only the erudition of the contributors but also their humanity. A particularly strong crosscutting theme within the text is recognition of the need to redress disadvantage and foster diversity in higher education context. For those in the UK and internationally wishing to gain recognition of their teaching through the UK Professional Standards Framework as demonstrated through Higher Education Academy Fellowships, this book will be particularly helpful. Reference is made to all core knowledge, activities and values that underpin not only HEA  Fellowships but also sound university teaching professional practice. Enhancing Teaching Practice in Higher Education, is a text that all lecturers and professors will find useful.  It is heavily UK-centric in how it discusses policy and legislative developments...provides support and encouragement to Higher Education teachers at all stages of their careers. It is both philosophical and practical. It also offers guidance for early career academics and those who are more experienced...Overall, the book's potential rests in the fact that it does not offer solutions without first engaging the reader in reviewing their practice. Each chapter is a rich resource with direction to useful websites and further reading. I recommend it. This insightful book is a welcome addition to the educational practice library. It should be of value to PG Certificates students and individuals preparing for HEA Fellowship. But it is capable of wider use too. I imagine chapters, or sub-sections thereof, forming the focus for debate amongst staff, and with students, to facilitate reflection on practice, enabling its enhancement. Each chapter is a rich resource with direction to useful websites and further reading. I recommend it.