The design and development of a suite of online professional development resources for academic staff

Framing the project

Abstract

Professional development for teaching staff at Massey University has been comprehensively remodelled in order to foster teachers as “future makers”, exponents of models of teaching and learning that are suitable for effective 21^st century knowledge creation and distribution. Given that the remodelling programme has strong support at significant levels of the university?s leadership, it has a high chance of succeeding in its aims. This paper traces the initial stages of one project in the programme: the production of a suite of online resources featuring successful academic staff discussing aspects of their teaching. Loosely modelled on other online teaching development videos, the videos in the suite were envisaged to provide staff new to teaching, and those wishing to improve their teaching practices, with a readily accessible, practical explanation of how some of Massey University?s leading practitioners operate. To help staff understanding at a deeper level, the suite included a series of brief information guides ("flyers") aimed at helping staff understand the theoretical terms underpinning the video discussions. This is an initial report on an on-going project.