PG Cert HELT (eLearning)

Who is the Programme for?

Any member of academic or academic-related staff who is involved in teaching at the University of Aberdeen can apply for a place on the programme.

Programme rationale

• to introduce a formal and externally recognisable course of instruction for lecturing staff in the theory and practice of the design and delivery of eLearning in higher education
• to help participants to develop their professional practice, developing skills and engendering attitudes that lie at the heart of effective teaching-for-learning
• to introduce an extended, formal and externally recognisable course of instruction available to all lecturing staff in the methods and philosophies of learning and teaching in higher education, with a focus on the theory and practice of eLearning design and delivery
• to foster skills, techniques and good practice in the design and delivery of eLearning in higher education

How is the Programme delivered?

The Programme is delivered flexibly, allowing it to fit with the duties of academic staff at the university.

If you are a new or probationary member of staff, we recommend that you follow the face-to-face route, delivered via a series of afternoon workshops (Wednesdays at 2pm), and followed up by small group sessions with colleagues from the programme.

If you are an established member of staff, you are free to follow the above pathway OR to follow the assessment schedule at a distance and at your own pace.

What does the Programme involve?

The Programme is rated at 60 credits at SCQF level 11 (Masters’). The first 30 credits of the programme (Course 1) is common with the parallel PgCert Higher Education Learning and Teaching and PgCert Medical Education programmes.

• Course 1Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Seven workshops (approximately every three weeks), group meeting every three weeks (with a short, formative assessment attached), two summative assessments.
• Course 2 eLearning in Higher Education: Four workshops, one on campus at Old Aberdeen, and three delivered synchronously online via myAberdeen. The workshops are followed by asynchronous formative activities which can be engaged with online at a time suitable for individual participants. There are two summative assessments, one of which is a short (3000 word) project report.

Qualifications for entry: Applicants will normally be involved in teaching activities at the University of Aberdeen.

Outcomes:

• Foster skills, techniques and good practice in the design and delivery of eLearning in higher education
• Develop a critical understanding of eLearning activities and content
• Identify teaching situations that could be enhanced by the deployment of eLearning and select appropriate tools for specific activities
• Develop understanding of learners in the online environment
• Critically evaluate the impact of a range of technologies on learning and teaching
• Reflect on the practical experience of learning online
• Plan and undertake action research into eLearning

What qualification do I receive?

The Programme is fully validated by the University of Aberdeen, and is accredited externally by the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Upon successful completion of the first course (30 credits), you will be able to apply for Associate Fellowship of the HEA. The second course is currently awaiting accreditation.

Further Details

Further details on any aspect of the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (eLearning) are available from the Programme Co-ordinator Dr Colin Calder at the Centre for Academic Development. Email: colin.calder@abdn.ac.uk, tel: +44(0)1224 27 3768.