The 2nd Annual Learning and Teaching Symposium organised by the Centre for Academic Leadership & Development has taken place at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Campus.
Enhancing the student learning experience
More than 60 academic staff and research students came together at the Postgraduate Centre to share their innovative projects focussed on enhancing the student learning experience. Novel technological applications, industry-related curriculum design and inter-campus peer-learning and teaching collaborations were all showcased at the event chaired by the Deputy Principal for Learning and Teaching, Professor John Sawkins, and featuring Heriot-Watt contributors from both Edinburgh and Dubai.
"The Learning & Teaching Symposium provided a wonderful opportunity to gain some valuable insights into the exciting initiatives coming from Heriot-Watt University".
Professr Sawkins updated the Symposium on implementation of the University's new Learning & Teaching Strategy, while Dr Irene Malcolm and Nicole Kipar from Heriot-Watt's Centre for Academic Leadership and Development presented the latest developments from their Global Learning and Teaching initiatives. Colleagues learnt about the early successes - and plans for future expansion - of the Centre's pilot programmes involving academics at Heriot-Watt Malaysia as well as 'Approved Learning Partners' and collaborators from Russia and Azerbaijan.
International Higher Education
International Higher Education was also the topic addressed by invited key note speaker, Dr Nathan Pike of the Higher Education Academy in a presentation on his soon-to-be published report entitled 'Perspectives from the UK and the US on Integrating Mathematics into the Teaching and Learning of the Biological Sciences'. Commenting on his visit to Scotland, Dr Pike said "The Learning & Teaching Symposium provided a wonderful opportunity to gain some valuable insights into the exciting initiatives coming from Heriot-Watt University".
Amongst the projects showcased at the Learning & Teaching Symposium were several supported through the University's 'Enhancement Theme Fund' set up by the Centre for Academic Leadership and Development with a grant from national body, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Launching the 2013-4 call for applications, Head of Centre, Dr Ruth Neiland said, "We've already seen some excellent examples of enhancement projects at Heriot-Watt involving colleagues from different academic Schools. We expect even more applications to the Enhancement Fund this year; innovative project proposals which explore research-teaching linkages, are student-led, and foster collaborative teaching across Heriot-Watt's international campuses will be especially welcome".
Further Information
The call for applications from Heriot-Watt staff and students to the Enhancement Theme Fund runs for 4 weeks from 10th October 2013. The deadline for submissions is 7th November 2013 and application forms and further details are available from the Centre for Academic Leadership & Development website.