Continuous improvement and professional development
Contemporary understanding of best practice in teaching and learning, like disciplinary knowledge, is constantly evolving and requires dedicated effort to maintain currency and skill. Exemplary educators consider education to be a vital part of their academic role and are committed to continuous improvement of learning experiences for students. They consult the educational literature and seek formal and informal input and feedback on their teaching from a variety of sources, including students and academic peers. They dedicate time to improving their expertise, teaching ability, and subjects, and are receptive to coaching and opportunities for professional development in relation to teaching.
Important aspects of practice in relation to this dimension
- participating in professional development activities related to teaching and learning needs
- engaging in scholarly inquiry in relation to one’s own practice
- improving curriculum, subject design or teaching practice as a result of literature research, learning analytics, self-, student- or peer evaluation
- contributing to teaching-related workshops, seminars and conferences
- contributing to informal and formal peer review of teaching and scholarly research
- membership of internal or external teaching networks or communities of practice
Demonstrating excellence in relation to this dimension
Historically, staff have relied heavily on scores associated with student evaluations of teaching to demonstrate educational excellence, and in particular the End of Subject Survey (ESS). While the student voice is an essential element of evaluation, robust evidencing of educational excellence calls for a multidimensional approach that recognises the complexity of educational endeavours and allows for the student voice to be balanced and complemented by reasoned judgements made by other relevant parties, including the educator and external experts. These are described in the University’s guide to Evidencing Educational Excellence.
The table below provides examples of forms of evidence that could be used to demonstrate educational excellence for the dimension of well-designed and engaging learning experiences.
Educator evidence |
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Student evidence |
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Independent expert evidence |
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Other dimensions
- Well-designed and engaging learning experiences
- Evidence-based and inclusive teaching practices
- Effective assessment and feedback
- Guidance and support inside and outside the classroom
- Integration of scholarship and professional practice into teaching and learning
- Educational collaboration, leadership and commitment to dissemination