The TLU have developed a CPD programme entitled ‘EAT-PD: Enabling Academic Transitions through Professional Development' aimed at new and early career academic staff, i.e., staff that have been teaching full-time for three years or less (or some equivalent). This programme enables staff relatively new to teaching to develop their competencies in the classroom. The focus of this programme is to expose staff to a range of research-based teaching strategies that can be used to enhance lectures and support learning.
Information on the EAT-PD Programme |
The following is a short recording introducing you to the programme and outlining what it entails: EAT-PD is a 15-week, semester-long, experiential programme (1 hour per week) using proven teaching strategies in a supportive, friendly and constructive environment. Learners subsequently deploy these activities in their classrooms and gain useful feedback from other learners and peers through reflective practice. Feedback from previous programme participants has been overwhelmingly positive, not just about course content and processes but also about the collegiality and community of learning that emerges among the cohorts. This community is more important than ever as staff starting out on their MTU teaching careers are doing so in different and changing circumstances.
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Key Dates
Please note the following key dates:
- Closing date for applications: Tuesday, 19th December 2023 @ 17:00
- Applicants will be notified: Thursday, 21st December 2023
This programme was enabled by funding from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education as part of the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement Funding in Higher Education Call 2019.
What support is available to engage with the programme?
Successful applicants will have their assigned teaching load reduced by 1 hour for 15 weeks (once approved by Head of Department / Function).
How does the programme operate?
To enable participation of staff from across all MTU campuses, we operate a synchronous online delivery model, via Canvas, with sessions commencing in Week 1 of each semester on Thursdays from 13.00 – 14.00 - all sessions are recorded and made available afterwards.
A flipped classroom approach is taken where you are directed to content prior to the live sessions with the live sessions centring more on key points and discussion relating to how you can apply your learning to your content and in your context.
How does the programme benefit participants?
It provides opportunities for participants to:
- Integrate proven, high quality teaching strategies into their regular teaching practice
- Develop their teaching practice using feedback from students, feedback from peers, self-reflection and through engagement with the literature.
- Develop a personal understanding of what is meant by “student-centred learning”
- Build their professional network by meeting and working with early career staff from across the university
- Enhance their professional and personal development by obtaining the EnTICE (Enhancing Teaching through Interactive Classes that Engage Students) Digital Badge, from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Has this programme been run previously?
This programme has been offered on 7 previous occasions – once in 2019/20, twice in 2020/21, once in 2021/22, twice again in 2022/23 and once so far on in 2023/24.. During this time, we recruited and successfully delivered this programme to over 125 early career academic staff from across a variety of disciplines in both faculties. The programme proved particularly beneficial to staff during the recent COVID-19 crisis with several participants commenting on how it enabled them to utilise some of the strategies learned and observed to enhance their remote teaching.
How do I apply?
Applications for the next iteration of EAT-PD must be submtted via our online application form. However, an application template is available to help you prepare your submission.
More Information
If you would like to learn more about the EAT-PD programme or have an informal discussion with a member of the EAT-PD Team, please email tlu_team@mtu.ie.
