In February 2019, the University of West of England (UWE) launched its new professional development programme for academics starting at the institution. The UWE Academic Professional Programme has transformed the University’s traditional Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) into an apprenticeship. The programme focuses on developing and enhancing academic practice, especially in teaching and supporting learning, in part through engagement in regular reflective practice. This is a large-scale programme with up to 300 participants, nearly 150 mentors, and over 30 colleagues in the programme’s teaching and support team. The team designed a single PebblePad workbook to be used throughout the programme which locates all participant-generated and related digital material in one place, including activities, reflections, documentation and assessments. The workbook is thoroughly embedded into the programme, supports the learner journey throughout, and requires regular engagement. This supports the programme’s aim of encouraging participants to develop a sustained, reflective and deliberate approach to academic practice.
The above case study is just one of twenty-five brilliant examples from our 2020 'Charting new courses in learning and teaching' conference. With case studies spanning degree apprenticeships, clinical assessment, interprofessional education, showcase portfolios, and many other contexts and disciplines, they are real stories of trailblazing innovation. If you'd like to download all 25 exemplars of pedagogical goodness, click the link below.
