Supporting lecturers to demystify learning in a science faculty

Abstract

Pedagogical competence is not always part of the skills set of science educators at research intensive universities. Thus, the Academic Developer (AD) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) at the University of Pretoria makes use of the Pedagogical Competence Model in order to help develop lecturers’ pedagogical competence. The overall aim of the study is to support lecturers to have a clear focus on student learning; assist them to development their pedagogical skills over time; and to adopt a scholarly approach to teaching and learning. Peer reviews are compulsory for probation candidates (newly appointed) as well as staff applying for promotion. In 2017 a total of 58 lecturers were reviewed by the AD, and 26 of these lecturers completed an online questionnaire that was intended to establish the influence the AD’s reviews had on their teaching practices. Subsequently interventions were planned aligned to the perceived needs for development. The project is still in progress, but results from the 538 members who already received training during 2018 indicate improved understanding of student learning and great appreciation for the support.