While would-be primary and secondary teachers study teaching methods and practice as an integral part of their training, most of those lecturing at third level have never been formally trained in how to teach. Some third-level academics are natural teachers as well as being highly competent in their own disciplines. But most people have of experience of lecturers whose forte was definitely not teaching. A new course designed by the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) could help change this.
The Learning and Teaching Centre at DIT has developed a learning and teaching qualification specifically aimed at those teaching in third-level institutions. The course is open to lecturers from all colleges and it will be offered at certificate, diploma and master's level to cope with different degrees of teaching experience. The courses are part-time running over one academic year. The next intake for the courses is September 2001.
"This is the first course of its type in the State and it is highly innovative and participative," says programme leader Terry Barrett. "We have already completed our first run of the programme with lecturers from DIT and we are now opening it up to those who might have recently taken up a lecturing post as well as to experienced lecturers who would like to try out some new learning/teaching methods. This postgraduate programme gives academic staff the chance to learn about a wide range of teaching methods as well as to explore important educational issues and to carry out research into learning and teaching."
The programme is based at the Learning and Teaching centre in Upper Mount Street, Dublin, and participants in the certificate course attend for lectures on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., while classes for diploma students take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays (the MA is by research). Because of the participative nature of the certificate and diploma courses, students are required to attend a minimum of 80 per cent of sessions.
"Our aim is to turn people apprehensive about teaching into confident lecturers and to help those already well experienced to perhaps use more technology in their teaching or to cope with new student populations such as mature students, working students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our master's programme is designed to facilitate those who want to explore a specific area of interest in learning and teaching," Barrett says.
Tomorrow evening there will be an open evening at the Learning and Teaching centre for those interested in finding out more about the courses. This takes place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Alternatively you can telephone (01) 402 7875 for a prospectus or e-mail learning.teaching@dti.ie
