The HEA and Me
Tracy Marshall & Ruth Stubbings
Loughborough University
t.m.marshall@lboro.ac.uk, r.e.stubbings@lboro.ac.uk
Higher Education Academy
The HEA mission is:
“ to help institutions, discipline groups and all
staff to provide the best possible learning
experience for their students”
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk
Why the HEA?
large amount of job is designing and
delivering information literacy courses
gap between what is taught in information
science courses and the job of Academic
Librarian
only training is „on the job‟
„in at the deep end‟
no time to gain knowledge of teaching
methods and skills whilst working
Benefits of the HEA- What can it do for me?
becoming an associate member of the HEA
formal recognition of teaching experience
encourages continuing professional
development
provide support whilst learning „how to teach‟
gives participants the chance to share
experience and improve practice
Different Routes to membership
two types of members depends on role and
experience:
registered practitioner
associate practitioner
many institutions have their own route to
accreditation
Accreditation
candidates must show knowledge and
experience of:
design and planning of learning activities
developing effective learning environments
delivering courses
assessment or giving feedback
evaluating practice and personal development
Stages towards accreditation at
Loughborough
support staff follow the accredited pathway to
associate membership:
must attend a selection of workshops
read around the subject
keep a reflective log of teaching experiences
two observations of your teaching
a reflective commentary
finally a reflective portfolio of experience with
evidence must be produced
Importance of Advisors
all those registered for the associate pathway
are assigned an advisor
advisors = mentors
must formally meet at least 3 times in 1st yr
records of meetings kept & placed in portfolio
provides support and guidance
keeps advisors „on toes‟
Our experience - positive
candidate:
chance to attend workshops with new lecturers
greater understanding of learning and teaching
methods
more confidence in both design and delivery of
information literacy courses
advisor
opportunity to discuss learning & teaching with
colleagues
higher profile of library within university
Our experience - negative
candidate:
finding time for:
reading & reflection
completion of commentary & portfolio
„scary‟ teaching observations
advisor:
workload
The future for me
associate practitioner by summer
possibility of becoming HEA advisor
continue to enhance teaching practice
eventually registered practitioner
perhaps a teaching qualification?
convince university that librarians are
teachers!