Recognition as a Professional Teacher in Higher Education:

The Higher Education Academy professional recognition scheme

Helen BarefootDeputy Head of the

Learning and Teaching Institute

Workshop OutcomesOn completion of this workshop participants should have:

• considered the importance of being a ‘dual professional’• had the opportunity to comment on key issues of

interest and concern• had the opportunity to consider and discuss the HEA

recognition scheme• had the opportunity to begin to draft one’s own

submission.

UH’s view“ 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.”

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

UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF)

Standard descriptors 1. Demonstrates an understanding of the student learning

experience through engagement with at least 2 of the 6 areas of activity, appropriate core knowledge and professional values; the ability to engage in practices related to those areas of activity; the ability to incorporate research, scholarship and/or professional practice into those activities.

Standard descriptors2. Demonstrates an understanding of the student learning

experience through engagement with all areas of activity, core knowledge and professional values; the ability to engage in practices related to all areas of activity; the ability to incorporate research, scholarship and/or professional practice into those activities.

UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF)

UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF)

Standard descriptors 3. Supports and promotes student learning in all areas of

activity,core knowledge and professional values through mentoring and leading individuals and/or teams; incorporates research, scholarship and/or professional practice into those activities

The Higher Education Academy

“Our mission is to help institutions, discipline groups, and all staff to provide the best possible learning experience for their students.”

HEA Professional Recognition Scheme

The scheme has been designed to support theimplementation of the Professional Standards Framework

3 categories of professional recognition: 1. Associate of the Higher Education Academy (AHEA) 2. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)3. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Professional Accreditation 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

HEA Professional Recognition Scheme

Recognition Scheme

Accredited Programme

Collaborative agreement

NFTS individual award

Associate x x

Fellow x x x x

Senior Fellow x

Areas of Activity CK1 CK2 CK3 CK4 CK5 CK6 V1

V2

V3

V4

V5

1.Design and planning ofLearning activities &/or programmes of study.

2.Teaching and/or supporting student learning.

3.Assessment and giving feedback to learners.

4.Developing effective environments and student support and guidance.

5.Integration of scholarship ,research and professional activities with teaching and supporting learning.

6. Evaluation of practice and continuing professional development.

HEA’s National Accreditation Scheme

Areas of activity1. Design and planning of learning activities and/or programmes

of study2. Teaching and/or supporting student learning3. Assessment and giving feedback to learners4. Developing effective environments and student support and

guidance5. Integration of scholarship, research and professional activities

with teaching and supporting learning6. Evaluation of practice and continuing professional development

HEA’s National Accreditation Scheme

Core knowledge (knowledge and understanding of)1. The subject material2. Appropriate methods for teaching and learning in the subject

area and at the level of the academic programme3. How students learn, both generally and in the subject4. The use of appropriate learning technologies5. Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching6. The implications of quality assurance and enhancement for

professional practice

HEA’s National Accreditation Scheme

Professional values1. Respect for individual learners2. Commitment to incorporating the process and outcomes of

relevant research, scholarship and/or professional practice3. Commitment to the development of learning communities4. Commitment to encouraging participation in higher education,

acknowledging diversity and promoting equality of opportunity5. Commitment to continuing professional development and

evaluation of their own practice

Application processDetailed information on HEA websiteStep 1. Complete application formStep 2. Identify 2 appropriate refereesStep 3. Return form to HEA with the 2 referencesStep 4. Normally notified within 2 weeks of receipt.Step 5. Panel of Accreditors assess application normally

within 12 weeksStep 6. If accepted notified and have to send

recognition fee £50.00 ( nb at present no annual renewal fees)

Information to aid application• 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

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 effective and 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

HEA’s National Accreditation Scheme

Activity1.Brainstorming ideas in pairs to fill in the sections

2.Working individually on sections

3. Plenary to share ideas

HEA’s National Accreditation Scheme

Criteria to judge your progress against • Areas of Activity 1-6 (Associates: any one of 1 to 4

plus 5 but Fellows need all 6)

• Core Knowledge 1-6

• Professional values 1-5

Academic Staff Development and support (provided by LTI)

• Continuous Professional Academic Development programme - CPAD: – New Staff Route HEA accredited (PgCert HEA Fellow)– Experienced Staff may attend any modules, e.g. student support

and guidance, blended learning• Faculty/School/individual support and liaison• General L&T workshops – e.g. on Assessment, Internationalising the

curriculum• BLU workshops • Innovation, development and dissemination of good practice• Staff Educational Research and Scholarship Network (ERSN)

Some useful web-sitesHigher Education Academy (HEA)http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ HEA Subject Centre Network ( find on the HEA home page) eg http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/physsci/http://www.engsc.ac.uk/Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)http://www.qaa.ac.uk/(go to Academic Infrastructure to find your disciplines Benchmark Statement)Interesting one for LT&A resourceshttp://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/about.htm