Home Academy for Learning & Teaching Excellence Curriculum framework Co creation Teaching and Learning Practitioners

Teaching and Learning Practitioners

Overview

Including: Academic Developer, Learning Developer, Digital Learning Officer, Academic Liaison Librarian, Career Advisor

Collaboration among teaching and learning practitioners in curriculum design offers a wealth of benefits. It ensures that the curriculum reflects diverse perspectives and expertise, leading to comprehensive learning experiences. Academic developers contribute pedagogical insights, while learning developers provide strategies for enhancing student learning and engagement. Digital learning officers offer expertise in utilising technology to facilitate effective teaching and learning, enriching the curriculum with innovative digital resources and platforms (Fernández-Sánchez, Garrido-Arroyo and Porras-Masero, 2022). Academic Liaison Librarians contribute their knowledge of information literacy and research skills, ensuring students are equipped with essential tools for scholarly inquiry. Career Consultants offer insights into industry trends and employer expectations, guiding the integration of employability skills and career readiness into the curriculum. By working together, teaching and learning practitioners create a cohesive and student-centred curriculum that prepares students for academic success and future professional endeavours (CFE Research, 2023).

Guidance

Working collaboratively with a number of different professionals even within the same institution can be a challenge. It requires knowledge of different departments, roles and responsibilities along with contact information for individuals; as well as a clear and consistent approach to practice. The University of Bedfordshire has a large and extensive pool of professionals to support all areas of curriculum development, assessments as well as teaching and learning practice. In order for collaboration amongst these professionals to be effective, Detienne, Rotsaert and Schellens (2023) set out four main areas to consider:

  • Shared Values and Vision – Although each professional will view curriculum design from their own professional perspective, the individual goals and values need to be aligned in co-creation to guide the team and ensure that everyone is focusing on the whole picture. (Binkhorst et al., 2015) The University of Bedfordshire’s shared values underpin the work that all staff and students undertake.

  • Collective Responsibility – The shared aim of embedding the values of the University of Bedfordshire into all areas of curriculum and assessment supports a collective responsibility to provide the best outcomes for learners.

  • Reflective Professional Inquiry – The collaborative team should have a willingness to explore and trial new ways to support teaching and learning and be reflective of their practice and co-creation efforts both individually and collectively.

  • Group and Individual Learning – This is about individual and group development and the sharing of best practice, which is part of the Professional Values that professionals in HE should be exhibiting.

Engaging with Teaching and Learning Practitioners at the University of Bedfordshire

The Academic Development Team within the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence here at the University of Bedfordshire focuses on enhancing teaching quality and professional development for staff by aligning with institutional priorities. It offers various training sessions open to all staff, as well as customised support for faculties, aiming to promote teaching excellence, inform strategic directions, and assist in curriculum development and enhancement.

The Learning Development Team within the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence here at the university of Bedfordshire assists students in cultivating essential academic skills such as writing, mathematics, and study techniques by offering a variety of accessible and tailored development programs. They also support tutors to integrate these skills into the curriculum and deliver in-class sessions to reinforce their incorporation within teaching practices.

Academic Liaison Librarians at the University of Bedfordshire offer support and guidance on research, resource queries, and search techniques. They ensure access to needed resources, teach plagiarism avoidance, and provide individual or small group appointments for research assistance, supporting both students and academic staff with research.

The Career and Employability Service at the University of Bedfordshire offers learners and alumni, assistance in developing employability skills and advancing their careers. They also aid staff in integrating these skills and Graduate Competencies, essential for meeting employer expectations, into their teachings.

Additional resources, guidance and reading

References

Fernández-Sánchez, M.R., Garrido-Arroyo, M. del C. and Porras-Masero, I. (2022). Curricular integration of digital technologies in teaching processes. Frontiers in Education, 7. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.1005499.