Sarah Flynn Learning and Teaching Institute s.j.flynn@herts.ac.uk / 01707 281317

1. Recognition as a Professional Teacher in HE: The Higher Education Academy professional recognition scheme Sarah Flynn Learning and Teaching Institute s.j.flynn@herts.ac.uk / 01707 281317

2. 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

3. 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.” • Activities such as today’s faculty learning and teaching conference are a great example of this type of CPD

4. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) • Dual professionals • Most academics undertake a considerable amount of CPD • CPD may be an obligatory part of keeping up professional accreditation • Professional teachers - CPD is often unplanned/informal • CPAD is a formal accredited programme that could help you with your CPD and career path • The Higher Education Academy is considering CPD for all staff engaged in supporting learning and teaching • The Browne Report talks about just this

5. 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 • Under review at the moment; idea to strengthen the framework, ensure it remains fit for purpose, and to develop appropriate enhancements (e.g. links with reward and recognition processes) • Consultation November 2010 – January 2011 • New developments from September 2011 • Current system still valid

6. Our mission is to help institutions, discipline groups, and all staff to provide the best possible learning experience for their students …definitive voice for all universities in the UK, providing high quality leadership and support to its members to promote a successful and diverse HE sector …a forum for members and their institutions to discuss and disseminate guidance and to exchange useful practices and good ideas…a shared vision, a space for collective endeavour and a community for mutual support

7. HEA Professional Recognition Scheme The scheme has been designed to support the implementation of the Professional Standards Framework Three categories of professional recognition: • Associate of the Higher Education Academy (AHEA) • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

8. HEA Professional Recognition Scheme 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

9. HEA’s Professional Recognition Scheme • Six areas of activity • Need to demonstrate core knowledge (and understanding of) • Professional values • Useful to have a planning grid when drafting which examples from your practice you intend to use and where

10. HEA’s Professional Recognition Scheme Areas of activity – 500 words on each • Design and planning of learning activities and/or programmes of study • Teaching and/or supporting student learning • Assessment and giving feedback to learners • Developing effective environments and student support and guidance • Integration of scholarship, research and professional activities with teaching and supporting learning • Evaluation of practice and continuing professional development

11. HEA’s Professional Recognition Scheme Core knowledge (knowledge and understanding of) • The subject material • Appropriate methods for teaching and learning in the subject area and at the level of the academic programme • How students learn, both generally and in the subject • The use of appropriate learning technologies • Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching • The implications of quality assurance and enhancement for professional practice

12. HEA’s Professional Recognition Scheme Professional values • Respect for individual learners • Commitment to incorporating the process and outcomes of relevant research, scholarship and/or professional practice • Commitment to the development of learning communities • Commitment to encouraging participation in higher education, acknowledging diversity and promoting equality of opportunity • Commitment to continuing professional development and evaluation of their own practice

13. 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

14. Application process Detailed information on HEA website • Complete application form • Identify 2 appropriate referees • Return form to HEA via e-mail with the 2 references • Normally notified within 2 weeks of receipt. • Panel of Accreditors assess application normally within 12 weeks • If accepted notified and have to send recognition fee £50.00

15. Information to aid application Have to hand when you are drafting your form • CV • Appraisal forms (Peer Observation forms + SFQ data) • List of responsibilities • Programme reviews/validations/curriculum development • CPD activities • Funding applications/awards • Pedagogic research/evaluations • Professional and other organisations you are involved with • External examiner work

16. Key words in the process- reflective accounts • “Please 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 effectiveand how you try and improve it. We expect our core knowledge and values to underpin the practice of Associates or Fellows. Please provide examples , where appropriate, of ways in which this underpinning is apparent.” (HEA) • 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?

17. Key reference points • Higher Education Academyhttp://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/ourwork/recognition/application_basis_experience_fellow • Professional Standards Frameworkhttp://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/universitiesandcolleges/accreditation/ukpsf • Once you have applied can you please let Helen Barefoot know (h.barefoot@herts.ac.uk)