Welcome to Teaching and Learning Enhancement Week

Thursday, 01 July 2010

The Centre for the Development of Teaching and Learning (CDoTL) have organised activities all this week aimed at celebrating the success of teaching and learning at Reading, as well as offering opportunities for colleagues to share best practice and inspire and be inspired by sharing knowledge and ideas.

Enhancement Week brings together the ideas behind CDoTL's popular annual Teaching & Learning, and eLearning events. Director of CDoTL Dr Julia Phelps said: "We want to build upon the best aspects of the Teaching & Learning and eLearning events to produce a programme that will offer something to everyone, giving staff the opportunity to participate in a way that fits in with their other commitments."

This week's programme comprises a wide range of varied activities that are open to everyone, such as seminars - including one on student video diaries by visiting academic Dr Jon Scott from Leicester University - and workshops, as well as hands-on training in technologies such as the new version of Blackboard and Web2.0 tools.

Discussion will be a key theme for the week, with three afternoon discussion groups on offer covering topics such as enquiry based learning , and transitions within Higher Education, and also in the shape of the Big Debate on Wednesday 7 July.

Coming hot on the heels of the televised leaders' debates in the run up to the recent general election, the Big Debate will be a Question Time type session with a panel representing senior University management, academics, RUSU, alumni, employers and politicians ready to answer a selection of pre-submitted questions from members of staff. The topic for the debate is ‘What is the purpose of Higher Education?', and questions can be submitted in advance to Sarah Morey, Learning Support Manager at CDoTL.

Professor Rob Robson, PVC of Teaching and Learning, said: "I am delighted to support Enhancement Week, the essence of which demonstrates our success in, and ongoing commitment to, the enhancement of teaching and learning at the University of Reading. I look forward to presenting my vision for teaching and learning at Reading and to meeting colleagues throughout the week."

To be held in the Henley Business School, the Big Debate will be followed by a drinks reception to celebrate Reading's teaching and learning success and achievements over the past 12 months.

All events in Enhancement Week are stand alone, and colleagues can choose to attend as many as they please - so there is no commitment to a whole week's itinerary.

For further information visit the CDoTL website, or email s.morey@reading.ac.uk.