The Continuous Professional Development Program (CPD)
The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program is one of the faculty development programs offered by the Unit for Teaching Excellence and Leadership (UTEL) at the University of Bahrain (UOB). It is accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in the UK. It is designed to provide professional training and support to midcareer or veteran HE academic staff to help them refine their teaching practice and achieve recognition from the UK HEA at Descriptor 1 (Associate Fellowship) or Descriptor 2 (Fellowship) in relation to the UK Professional Standard Framework (UKPSF)
- The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program is an on job faculty training and development program available for academic faculty at the UoB (or any other HEI).
- It is part of the Faculty Development programs accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) UK and leads to certification by the HEA at either Descriptors 1 or 2.
- It is designed to provide practical training and support to mid-career or veteran HE academic staff to help them refine their teaching practice and also achieve recognition for their effective and successful practice by the HEA UK.
- Completers of the program achieve professional recognition (professional certification) awarded by the HEA UK at Descriptor 1 or 2 (ie. at the level of Associate Fellowship or Fellowship of HEA), depending on the level of their engagement with the UK professional standard framework.
The program has two objectives:
- To support participants develop their teaching skills in relation to the UKPSF.
- To guide participants in applying for professional recognition for successful engagement with the UKPSF.
Upon completion of this program, the participants will be able to:
- Critically evaluate learning, teaching and assessment strategies in order to create a learning environment appropriate to the learner’s needs.
- Take a pro-active and self-reflective role in the design and planning of learning activities and/or programs of study in relation to their own practice.
- Critically evaluate current issues in research into learning, teaching and assessment.
- This program is mostly an independent self-development route, requiring reflection on already successful academic teaching practices. Therefore, the participants are required to attend two types of workshops: compulsory and optional.
- Once registered in the program, the participants will be assigned to a mentor support for one academic year. Mentors will provide their participants with means of guidance and support throughout the academic year.
- Six compulsory workshops: Five at the beginning of the first semester and one at the beginning of the second semester of the academic year.
- Three compulsory follow up days evenly distributed through the academic year.
- At least two workshops per semester of the additional development workshops offered by the UTEL
- Mentor group meeting to support their development and application.
- 1. Introduction to the UKPSF:
This workshop serves as an introductory workshop for all academic staff interested in developing their teaching skills as well as achieving professional recognition. It introduces the participants to:- The requirements of the continuous professional development (CPD) program.
- The UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for teaching and supporting learning in HE. This competency model is the foundation for training and development, and performance management in UOB as such it is important for the participants to be familiar with the model.
- The differences between HEA Descriptors available for the participants in this program.
- Reflective practice and reflective writing:
This workshop introduces the participants to the concept of reflective practice and to the skills of a reflective practitioner. - Peer Observation of Teaching (POT):
This workshop provides an introduction to Peer Observation of Teaching (POT) as a collaborative model for reflection. - Reflective Academic Practice Portfolio (RAPP):
This workshop helps the participant prepare their RAPP for professional recognition. - Action Research (AR):
This workshop introduces the participants to the Action Research (AR) methodology as a systematic and reflective inquiry-based approach for the development of their own practice. - Reflective Academic Practice Portfolio and Professional development plan (PDP):
This workshop is the sixth workshop, which is offered at the beginning of the second semester. It is a recap workshop for RAPP preparation.
Compulsory Follow up Days
Participants are required to attend three compulsory follow up days. During these sessions they will receive thorough support, guidance and advice to keep on the right track for achieving HEA recognition.
Additional Developmental Workshops
In addition to the compulsory workshops, participants are required to attend a minimum of two of these workshops per semester (a total of 4 additional workshops). Topics are related to the dimensions of the UKPSF.
The assessment in this program leads directly to the Fellowship or Associate Fellowship.
Formative Assessment
- Presentation on Action Plan: The participants need to prepare and present an action plan for building their case for fellowship during the follow-up day 1.
- Reflective Commentary: The participants are required to submit a reflective commentary (600 words) on one of the five HEA areas of activity two weeks before the end of the first semester.
Summative Assessment
- The participants in this program have to submit a Reflective Academic Practice Portfolio (RAPP) by the end of the second academic year.
- The participants are also required to submit a professional development plan (PDP) that should be included in their RAPP.
CONTACT US
Director’s office
Dr. Diana Al Jahromi
E-mail: daljahrami@uob.edu.bh
utel@uob.edu.bh
