Certificate in Small-Group Teaching (CSGT)

The Certificate in Small-Group Teaching (CSGT) will be delivering a second online offering in Semester 1.

About

The Certificate in Small-Group Teaching (CSGT) is a professional development program for those new to university teaching and those interested in solidifying their understanding of key principles and practices of effective teaching and learning. It is focused primarily on aspects of teaching and learning related to small-group contexts, such as tutorials, seminars, and demonstrations.

Participants can choose to complete the Certificate Program with assessment tasks or to attend individual online seminars.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the Certificate Program, participants should be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of key principles of effective teaching and learning in higher education;
  • apply key concepts and principles to their own teaching context; and
  • demonstrate a reflective approach to the facilitation of various teaching activities.

Suitable for

Both the Certificate Program and the individual seminars are open to current University of Melbourne staff and graduate researchers.

The program is most suitable for those new to university teaching or those without previous formal teacher training.

University of Melbourne academic staff looking for formal professional development in university teaching should refer to the Melbourne Teaching Certificate or the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching.

Program structure

The Certificate Program comprises 8 seminars and 3 individual assignments split into two parts:

  • Part A covers the fundamental principles of higher education learning and teaching
  • Part B focuses on practical strategies for small-group learning contexts

This program is offered multiple times throughout the year. There will be at least one online program each semester. Additional in-person intensive programs may also be offered depending on capacity.

Program requirements

To complete the Certificate Program, participants must attend 7 of the 8 seminars (4 of which must be core sessions). Please note the seminars will not be recorded.

Only those who complete all requirements for the Certificate Program will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program. Please note that we do not provide certificates of attendance for seminar-only participation in this program.

Alternatively, you may register for the online seminars without completing the Certificate Program.

Online program format

8 seminars delivered over the semester (two blocks of four consecutive weeks), plus completion of 3 assignments asynchronously. The online stream can be completed in the assessed mode or non-assessed mode.

Intensive program format

8 seminars delivered over four half-day sessions, plus completion of 3 individual assignments. The intensive program meets in-person and can only be completed in the assessed mode.

Schedule

Semester 1, 2024

In Semester 1, 2024, the CSGT will be offered three times: two online programs and one in-person intensive. Please note that these are three different offerings of the same program. Participants should only attend the dates for their respective cohort.

Online Cohort A (March-May)

Part A
Seminar 1: Foundations of good teaching in higher education* Thursday 7 March, 2.00-3.30pm
Seminar 2: Strategies for facilitating active learning* Thursday 14 March, 2.00-3.30pm
Seminar 3: Principles of effective feedback* Thursday 21 March, 2.00-3.30pm
Seminar 4: Working with diversity Thursday 28 March, 2.00-3.30pm
Part B
Seminar 5: Fostering student interaction Thursday 2 May, 2.00-3.30pm
Seminar 6: Facilitating in-class discussion Thursday 9 May, 2.00-3.30pm
Seminar 7: Using questions in the classroom Thursday 16 May, 2.00-3.30pm
Seminar 8: Lesson planning for small-group contexts* Thursday 23 May, 2.00-4.00pm

*Core seminars for the certificate program

Online Cohort B (May-June)

Part A
Seminar 1: Foundations of good teaching in higher education*Wednesday 1 May, 9.30-11.00am
Seminar 2: Strategies for facilitating active learning*Wednesday 8 May, 9.30-11.00am
Seminar 3: Principles of effective feedback*Wednesday 15 May, 9.30-11.00am
Seminar 4: Working with diversityWednesday 22 May, 9.30-11.00am
Part B
Seminar 5: Fostering student interaction Wednesday 5 June, 9.30-11.00am
Seminar 6: Facilitating in-class discussionWednesday 12 June, 9.30-11.00am
Seminar 7: Using questions in the classroomWednesday 19 June, 9.30-11.00am
Seminar 8: Lesson planning for small-group contexts*Wednesday 26 June, 9.30-11.30am

*Core seminars for the certificate program

Midyear Intensive

An in-person intensive will be offered between Semesters 1 and 2. Please note that this program will be available to participants completing the full certificate program.

Part A
Seminar 1: Foundations of good teaching in higher education*
Seminar 2: Strategies for facilitating active learning*
Monday 1 July, 9.30am-1.00pm
Seminar 3: Principles of effective feedback*
Seminar 4: Working with diversity
Tuesday 2 July, 9.30am-1.00pm
Part B
Seminar 5: Fostering student interaction
Seminar 6: Facilitating in-class discussion
Thursday 4 July, 9.30am-1.00pm
Seminar 7: Using questions in the classroom
Seminar 8: Lesson planning for small-group contexts*
Friday 5 July, 9.30am-1.30pm

*Core seminars for the certificate program

Expression of interest for Cohort B (May/June) are now open

Submit EOI here

For any program queries, please contact Nicole Hutchings,

nicole.hutchings@unimelb.edu.au

More information

  • What do I need to do in order to get a Certificate?

    Satisfactory completion of the certificate program requires attending 7 of the 8 seminars, 4 of which must be the core seminars, and satisfactory completion of the three assignments. If you’d like to participate in the certificate program, and thus be allocated the assignments, please ensure that you have completed an EOI and enrolled in the certificate program.

  • What are the assessment requirements for the Certificate Program?

    There are three assessment tasks for the Certificate in Small-Group Teaching. All three are individual tasks. Assignment 1 is due after Part A and Assignments 2 and 3 are due after completion of Part B. Those who register for the Certificate Program will receive more detail about the assessment requirements.

  • What are the ‘core seminars’?

    There are four core seminars, which are denoted by an asterisk in the program information above and in the course outline. They comprise Seminars 1, 2, 3, and 8. These four seminars must be attended by anyone wishing to complete the assessed certificate program and must be attended before the respective Part A or Part B assignments can be allocated.

  • Can I watch a recording instead of attending?

    The seminars will not be recorded. Attendance at a minimum of 7 out of 8 sessions (including the 4 core seminars) is a requirement of the Certificate Program.

  • What can I do if I miss a seminar?

    Participants who would like to receive a Certificate may attend that seminar on a future program delivery date. The program is delivered multiple times throughout the year. Please note that seminars are not recorded, and there is no option to watch a recording or complete an asynchronous task in lieu of attending the seminar. Reviewing the seminar slides does not constitute a sufficient replacement for attending the seminar. In addition, missing a seminar might impact eligibility to complete the assignments until attendance requirements have been met. Please contact the program officer about attending during a future iteration. It is possible to attend some or all of the seminars without participating in the assessed program, in which case there is no consequence for missing a seminar.

  • What if I am late to a seminar?

    As this program is assessed on a complete/incomplete basis only, it is necessary to attend the full seminar in order for us to certify that it was attended. Specifically, we allow a 15-minute grace period for each seminar. Please note that seminars are not recorded, and there is no option to catch-up with a recording or complete an asynchronous task in lieu of attending the seminar.

  • Can I attend a seminar on a different day/in a different stream?

    Due to space restrictions, participants are expected to attend on the day(s) for their respective stream, but there is some flexibility for including additional participants in the online seminars (please email for details). Due to space restrictions, on-campus seminars may only be attended by those enrolled in that respective stream.

  • Do I need to complete the full program within one semester?

    No, you don’t. However, it is strongly recommended that each Part be completed within one semester. In addition, please note that completion of Part A is required before Assignment 2 and 3 may be submitted. Attendance requirements (including attending requisite core seminars) will need to be met before assignments can be completed.

  • What if I have attended some of these workshops before?

    Participants who have attended equivalent workshops within the last year would not need to repeat the respective seminar. Please contact Melbourne CSHE to verify previous workshop attendance and confirm your remaining attendance requirements.

  • Can I still attend the seminars without doing the assessments tasks?

    Yes, participants can choose to attend one or more of the online seminars without completing the assessed portion of the full program. However, they will not receive a certificate of completion or of attendance. To attend an individual online seminar, please contact nicole.hutchings@unimelb.edu.au. Please note that the on-campus seminars are limited to those enrolled in that stream of the Certificate Program.

  • If I am not enrolled in the assessed program, can I register for an individual on-campus seminar?

    No, the on-campus seminars are limited to those who are enrolled in that stream of the Certificate Program. In addition, space restrictions and contact tracing requirements make it necessary for us to limit the number of participants attending on campus. To register for an individual online seminar, please contact nicole.hutchings@unimelb.edu.au

  • Are there any fees or charges?

    The program is provided by Melbourne CSHE as a service to University of Melbourne staff and graduate researchers so there is no cost to individuals, departments or faculties.