Helen Barefoot Learning and Teaching Institute [email protected] / 01707 289424

Recognition as a Professional Teacher in HE: The Higher Education Academy professional recognition scheme

Helen BarefootLearning and Teaching Institute

[email protected] / 01707 289424

Workshop Outcomes

On completion of this workshop participants should have:

• considered the importance of being a ‘dual professional’• had the opportunity to consider and discuss the HEA scheme• had the opportunity to begin to think about own submission• had opportunity to comment on issues of interest and concern

University of Hertfordshire perspective

• At UH we consider our academic staff to be dual professionals, that is professional teachers in HE and professionals in their own discipline.

• As ‘dual professionals’ all academic staff should engage in continuous professional development as relevant and appropriate to their learning and teaching role.

• UH supports the national professional recognition scheme of the HEA and views it as an important marker of learning and teaching professionalism.

• CPAD is a formal accredited programme• Other CPD opportunities are available…

UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF)

• The idea originally proposed in the White Paper The Future of Higher Education (2003). UUK, SCOP(now GuildHE) and the UK HE funding bodies invited the HEA to consult with the sector to develop such a framework

• Recently reviewed; idea to strengthen the framework, ensure it remains fit for purpose, and to develop appropriate enhancements

• Consultation November 2010 – January 2011• New PSF launched 2nd November 2011

HEA Professional Recognition Scheme

The scheme has been designed to support the implementation of the Professional Standards Framework

Four categories of professional recognition: 1. Associate of the Higher Education Academy (AHEA) 2. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)3. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) 4. Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) new

HEA Professional Recognition SchemeRecognition Scheme

Accredited Programme

Collaborative agreement

NFTS individual award

Associate x x

Fellow x x x x

Senior Fellow x

Principal Fellow x

UH Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education is an accredited programme• CPAD 1 gives associate status• CPAD 1,2 3 and 4 gives full Fellow status

HEA’s Professional Recognition Scheme

Areas of activity – 600 words on each1. Design and plan learning activities and/or programmes of study2. Teach and/or supporting learning3. Assess and give feedback to learners4. Developing effective environments and approaches student

support and guidance5. Engage in continuing professional development in subjects /

disciplines and their pedagogy, incorporating research, scholarship and the evaluation of professional practice

HEA’s Professional Recognition Scheme

Core knowledge (knowledge and understanding of)1. The subject material2. Appropriate methods for teaching and learning in the subject

area and at the level of the academic programme3. How students learn, both generally and in the subject /

disciplinary area4. The use and value of appropriate learning technologies5. Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching6. The implications of quality assurance and

enhancement for academic and professional practice with a particular focus on teaching

HEA’s Professional Recognition Scheme

Professional values1. Respect for individual learners and diverse learning

communities2. Promote participation in higher education and equality of

opportunity for learners3. Use evidence-informed approaches and the outcomes from

research, scholarship and continuing professional development

4. Acknowledge the wider context in which higher education operates recognising the implications for professional practice

Professional Recognition Benefits

• Be recognised for the valuable professional work you do and to celebrate this

• Valuable portable asset recognised across the sector• Might be critical for promotion/career progression• Help to keep up to date with latest developments in learning

and teaching (CPD events, networking)• You can become involved in shaping national policy through

work with the HEA

Application

• 3000 word (approx) account of your Professional Practice as a teacher and/or supporter of learning, spread evenly across the five Areas of Activity

• Make clear how you apply your Core Knowledge and engage with the Professional Values set out in the Framework

• At least two examples of your use of/commitment to each element of the Professional Values and Core Knowledge in some part of your account.

• Use the Area of Activity statements as sub headings for your account. Aim to write ~600 words for each area

• Clearly identify where you have evidenced each of the elements of the Core Knowledge and Professional Values.

Application process

http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/fellow1. Complete application requirements2. Fill out the personal details form3. Identify 2 appropriate referees4. Send form plus references to Helen Barefoot for Institutional

signature5. Send application to HEA via e-mail with the 2 references plus £2006. HEA will normally acknowledge receipt of your application by

email within seven working days. 7. Allow at least twelve weeks for complete processing.

Information to aid applicationThings to consider when drafting your form• CV• Appraisal forms (Peer Observation forms + SFQ data)• List of responsibilities • Programme reviews/validations/curriculum development• CPD activities• Funding applications/awards • Professional and other organisations you are involved

with• Pedagogic research/evaluations• External examiner work

Key words in the process- reflective accounts

• Give reasons for your choice of activities and techniques and how they relate to developing the learners’ understanding of the subject. Please explain how you know that your work is effective and how you try and improve it. How do the core knowledge and values underpin your practice

• Be reflective and not just descriptive; What you did and why, what went well and what didn’t go well, how you know this, what have you done/or will do to improve the learning, what does your research or scholarship tell you about this, where do the K &V fit in with your story?

What are accreditors looking for:• significant experience of the areas of activity• your use of core knowledge and professional values• your awareness of pedagogical issues and your informed understanding

of pedagogy to explain and justify your examples of practice• your ability to choose, adapt and apply methods and approaches to

learning and teaching• creative ways you approach your teaching and support your students’

learning• where you have adopted different approaches or adapted according to

the different needs of particular student groups• the way you integrate scholarship, research, and professional activities

with teaching and supporting learning• your ability to demonstrate that evaluation and continuing professional

development inform your practice

Key reference points

• Higher Education Academyhttp://www.heacademy.ac.uk/fellow

• Professional Standards Frameworkhttp://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/universitiesandcolleges/accreditation/ukpsf

• Guidance on LTI Knowledge Exchangehttp://www.studynet1.herts.ac.uk/intranet/lti.nsf/Teaching+Documents?Openview&count=9999&restricttocategory=Professional%20Development%20and%20Events/Fellowship+of+the+HEA&refresh=true

• Once you have applied can you please let Helen Barefoot know ([email protected])