Online Course “University Teaching: Basics”

The Course “University Teaching: Basics” provides you with workshops and self-learning activities. It will give you an introduction to the fundamentals of applied university teaching and learning. At the end you will have developed basic teaching skills for face-to-face classroom and e-learning scenarios. In addition, you will gain confidence in everyday teaching situations and improve your teaching methods and techniques.

Workload

The Basic Course consists of three modules, each running for 6 weeks with a weekly workload of 5 hours. Thus, each module has a workload of 30 hours and the entire Basic Course consists of 90 hours.

The Modules 1 and 2 are divided into consecutive units. Each unit includes three elements: 1) an online workshop of about 3 hours, providing you with key information, 2) a one-hour self-learning activity which helps you to go deeper into the different aspects of a particular topic and 3) a self-reflection activity in form of a reflective journal. This reflective journal will be a record of your work in progress and an opportunity for reflection on the learning experience. All this should provide you with a means of engaging critically and analytically with the modules’ content. The Module 3 has a practical orientation and includes three units. Here, most of the time you will be working on your teaching concept.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • critically engage with literature and research in the field of higher education, university teaching and e-learning
  • show critical awareness for principles of applied university teaching and use them within your own teaching practices
  • demonstrate increased professional competencies and improved teaching skills
  • motivate students to engage in their own learning process
  • reflect and engage in self-evaluation of your own teaching practices
  • demonstrate continuous development of your teaching practices
  • enhance your career prospects

Module Content

In Module 1 “Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning”, you will discover the fundamentals of applied university teaching and learning. In detail you will be able to better define your role as a teacher. Also, you will learn how to plan, design and implement learning activities, how to motivate students and how to activate their learning process. Last but not least, you will learn how to assess student work and give feedback.

In Module 2 “Digital Teaching and Learning”, you will learn about the possibilities of digital teaching and learning. You will develop your skills in choosing appropriate online resources, tools and e-learning strategies. Further, you will learn how to motivate students in different e-learning scenarios.

Module 3 “Designing a Teaching Event” is a practice-oriented module with an exam component and individual support/coaching from a trainer. You will deepen your acquired knowledge by designing a teaching event (e.g., unit, class, session, lesson or lecture) or by revising an existing one. You will receive feedback from a trainer and peer feedback that may help you to adapt your teaching event, for example by implementing necessary changes into your concept. The format of the teaching event may be face-to-face, online or hybrid (i.e., face-to-face with online/digital elements).

The Basic Course runs for 18 weeks and concludes with a course certificate.

Assessment

There will be no grading or exams in Module 1 and 2. Module 3 contains an exam component.

In order to receive the official certificate for Module 1 and 2 you have to attend at least 5 of 6 workshops and participate in the learning activities. Course participation includes submitting written assignments, engagement in discussion forums, giving peer feedback and a weekly entry in your personal reflective journal. The exam component of the Module 3 involves submitting a teaching concept.

General

Admission requirements

  • You are from Syria, Lebanon or Jordan.
  • You have completed a Master degree (in any field) or have equal qualifications.

Any additional qualifications or certification will be beneficial, but is not required. Previous teaching experiences are not required, but helpful.

Technical Requirements

  • Access to the internet
  • Computer / Laptop / Mobile Devices


Certificate

Upon successful completion of all required coursework, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance for each module. In addition, you will receive a certificate of course completion after successfully finishing all three modules.

Support

The course offers technical support regarding issues related to the use of Moodle and participation in the Basic Course via phone, Moodle-forum or email.

Course Language

Course language is English.

Payment

Participation in the course is free of charge.

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