The Centre for Academic Development provides advice and support for all aspects of learning, teaching and assessment. Our programme of events consists of a range of discussion fora, workshops and seminars which have been designed to meet the different professional development needs of staff who are involved with teaching and learning.
For further information: contact Dr Darren Comber, Senior Educational Development Adviser (3672 or email cad@abdn.ac.uk).
Tailored Provision
The Centre offers a programme of professional teaching development opportunities for all levels of staff, including lecturers, tutors, teaching fellows and demonstrators. Events are publicised by email. If there are topics which you think we should be addressing, please contact us. More information can be gained from the Centre for Academic Development or from the University's Course Booking website.
Tailored events
We can offer tailored events on specific topics for disciplines, Schools or Colleges on request. Please contact us for more information.
Consultancy service
We can help with the preparation for your School’s Internal Teaching Review. Please contact us for more information.
Individual support and advice
We all have problems with our teaching from time to time, and going on any number of courses won't necessarily solve them. Staff from the Centre are able to provide confidential advice on any element of your teaching practice. In the past we have helped staff to tackle such issues as:
- Discipline in tutorials
- Student engagement in lectures
- Overseas staff making themselves more approachable to their students
- Professional development in higher education teaching
Peer observation of teaching
Many Schools and Disciplines already run peer-observation schemes, designed to help you reflect on your teaching practice by providing direct, non-judgemental feedback on your performance. Sometimes, however, it is useful to get a view of your teaching from someone outwith your immediate discipline, who can focus on the mechanics of your teaching. Staff from the Centre are experienced teachers themselves, and can provide this feedback (and film it if required) to any member of staff who feels that they may benefit from this level of support.