Guizhou University delegates arrive for 3-month Innovative Teaching Practice Programme

Cardiff University welcomes delegation of 16 Chinese academics from Guizhou University for a bespoke Innovative Teaching Practice Programme.

Building on the success from the previous programme in 2018, we are delighted to welcome 16 academics from Guizhou University to undertake the 3-month bespoke programme.  The aim of the programme is to assist the development and enhancement of learning, teaching and pedagogical practice.  The taught elements of the programme are led by the School of Social Sciences with each academic also having the opportunity to observe teaching practices within their own discipline.  This year’s cohort of delegates include academics from a range of disciplines from across all three Cardiff University Colleges, including microbiology, philosophy, civil engineering and languages.

Emmajane Milton, who is the lead academic for the programme said:

‘We’re delighted that Guizhou University have sent more academics this year to be involved in the programme and especially pleased that heads and deputy heads of departments are also within this year’s group. As a result, we have designed and added an extra element to the programme - a new module especially for them ‘Leadership of Learning and Teaching’. The Guizhou academics were very dedicated with their studies last year and we thoroughly enjoyed working with them and are really looking forward to a similar experience this year’.

The programme is based around two core modules with the addition of a third new leadership module.  The programme begins with two weeks of specially designed English language sessions.  Following this, twice weekly English language sessions continue throughout the programme. Each week the academics also receive ‘insight sessions’ from professional services staff and academics from across Cardiff University, who provide a broad understanding of the many services required to support an innovative and effective teaching environment. Cultural trips and excursions also form part of the programme.

The delegates were welcomed to Cardiff University by Professor Kenneth Hamilton, Professor Wen Jiang and staff from the School of Social Sciences and the CPD Unit at an afternoon tea held at the historic main building of the University.

Programme

Module 1- Teaching and Pedagogical Practice in Higher Education

The focus of this module is the exploration of learning, teaching, pedagogical practice and student engagement in Higher Education across a broad range of disciplines. It includes the exploration of a range of learning and teaching approaches, use of innovative practices to support learning and teaching, and how to meet diverse students’ needs.

Module 2 - Collaborative Professional Learning in Higher Education

This module draws upon Shulman’s (2004) case-making methodology as an approach to elicit deep and critical considerations and understandings through engaging in a structured reflective learning experience. Using carefully constructed opportunities for observations in discipline specific programmes aligned to the delegates' particular interests and expertise, ‘cases’ will be developed using theoretical underpinnings and reflections on practice through dialogic and collaborative work.

Module 3 - Leadership of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

This new module is designed for members of the programme who have/aspire to have leadership roles in learning and teaching. It explores the challenges associated with undertaking a teaching leadership role in an academic context. The module also explores perspectives on leadership, and considers the challenges associated with leading with influence in an academic context.

Bespoke CPD opportunities

The Innovative Teaching Practice Programme is a great example of the bespoke work that Cardiff University can offer. Cardiff University has a dedicated CPD Unit, with experts who can work with your business or organisation to create unique training plans to suit your specific requirements. We work across all Colleges at the University and can help you develop a programme, whatever discipline you work in.

Find out more about our bespoke provision here, and if you would like to speak to one of our friendly team to find out more, please do get in touch.