Aims and Fit of Module

This module is part of a professional development programme for teaching staff at XJTLU and all the aims take into consideration the XJTLU context. Its aims are for participants:


•	To  gain knowledge of  a  range  of  research strategies  that  lead  to  the  enhancement  of  learning  and  teaching  in  higher education and within a transnational context,  including  evaluation,  reflective  practice  and  engagement  with  colleagues.

•	To enhance their own learning and teaching practice by carrying out an action research project.

•	To critically reflect on learning over the duration of the programme including personal development planning in collaboration with peers.

•	To develop an action plan for future development with the help of a mentor and PGCert tutors.

•	To gain awareness of, and engagement with, the UK Professional Standards Framework.


The aims of this module are aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework, which is mapped to Programme-level learning outcomes and module assessments. See Programme Specifications for details. Alignment of module and UKPSF dimensions is also indicated in the table below.

Learning outcomes

A	Critically reflect on and synthesise, in dialogue with peers, the learning and professional development stemming from conducting enhancement projects in a range of current settings.	

B	Carry out an extensive action research project that reflects their own teaching practice and engages with pedagogic development and improvement. 	 

C	Extensively review relevant literature and models for learning, and apply them to a wide range of change and improvement within a transnational learning and teaching context.	

D	Present and defend their project to peers in an authentic professional context.	

E	Demonstrate  how  they  have  been  able  to  enhance  their  professional  practice  as  a  teacher in higher  education and  plan  for  future  development.	

F	Critically reflect on their learning in the light of the UKPSF.	

Method of teaching and learning

•	Teaching is through the delivery of a range of interactive workshops. 

•	Participants will be expected to reflect upon their own practice and changes to their practice they have introduced as a result of their experience of the module, and attendance at workshops. 

•	Support  from  a  mentor  (normally  a  more  senior  colleague  from  the  same  discipline  as  the  participant and/or a colleague with a Senior Fellowship of the HEA). 

•	Use  of  the  wide  variety  of  resources  that  are  available  via  ICE,  and  the  Higher  Education  Academy  (www.heacademy.ac.uk), as well as independently sourced materials for participants’ action research projects.