GC-EDHE v.1 Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Innovative Learning and Teaching

Graduate Certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.

The Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Innovative Learning and Teaching (GCIHEd) degree through Curtin University promotes an evidence-based and scholarly approaches to learning and teaching. It focuses on transforming higher education teaching practices through the integration of new and innovative design, curriculum development, delivery, and critical evaluation of the learners’ own teaching practices. The range of learning opportunities provided are designed to promote breadth and depth in tertiary educators’ knowledge and skill, application of knowledge and skill to real-life contexts, and development of critical reflective practices. Contemporary higher education students’ expectations, needs and learning practices are reviewed as a prelude to examining approaches to pedagogy, student engagement, the learning cycle, technology rich learning environments, reflective practice and evaluation. This course is designed on the principles of transformation and self-directed learning that enables learners to draw on a flexible range of modalities to demonstrate their learning in learner-specific contexts. Underpinning this course is the development of a teaching portfolio that evidences critical, reflective, and developmental teaching practices. The GCIHEd is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their teaching practice and capacity to facilitate learning in tertiary contexts; and to gain recognised teaching qualifications, with capacity to seek professional higher education accreditation. The content is designed to be applicable across all teaching disciplines, and is designed for those teaching in internal and online learning environments in university and other tertiary contexts.

Professional Recognition

The Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching is considered an advanced preparation for teaching in a tertiary setting and, as such, is seen as advantageous by university employers. Articulation with other award programs is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Career Oppotunities

The Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Innovative Learning and Teaching is considered an advanced preparation for teaching in a tertiary setting and, as such, may be seen as advantageous by university employers. Articulation with other award programs is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.

Graduate Certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.

Students will complete four of the six available units to qualify for this award. Students must select either Contemporary Approaches to University Teaching or The Learning Cycle: Design and Curriculum, as their first unit. They will then choose from either Design Thinking and Educational Innovation or Explorations in Disciplinary Contexts. The final two units in the sequence are core units and must be completed by all students.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. employ new pedagogies, learning spaces and modalities in innovative ways for learning and teaching

2. apply knowledge of contemporary educational curriculum, learning, assessment and evaluation design theory and practices in course, unit and task design

3. demonstrate creative approaches to teaching and learning that engage a diverse range of students in active learning, utilising a technology rich environment

4. create and maintain inclusive, positive learning environments and experiences that engage learners in their learning

5. demonstrate critical reflective practice and contributions to the scholarship of learning and teaching

6. identify, collect, examine, and interpret a range of sources of evidence in the design and evaluation of educational practice

7. apply knowledge of indigenous perspectives, knowledges and cultural capabilities in critical reflection of teaching and learning and course, unit and task design

Duration and Availability

This course is one year part-time study and is only available for study part-time. Units are delivered fully online across four study periods per year, commencing in March each year. Students can select one unit per study period.

Location and delivery Mode

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

Applicants for a Graduate Certificate are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Specifically, applicants require a completed bachelor degree or equivalent.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some Graduate Diplomas and Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.