Originality
- Combination of theory/ practice
This programme encourages active teaching, closely linked with developing candidates’ teaching practice. The contact hours of teaching (classes, seminars), the supervision time for special projects, teaching practice, assessment of the teaching practice, presentation of the results of the assessment to ensure real professional development as well as thorough assessment, informed by research : all of these are closely linked. There is a combination of three main elements : theory and practice, cross-disciplinary and disciplinary skills, research and teaching.
- Links with research
Collaboration between partners involved in the development of training and research in university teaching, particularly on the following themes :
+ analysis of effects of teaching methods on the process of learning, transfer of knowledge and engagement in higher education
+ learning, motivation and identity in mature students
+ teaching methods at university
+ use of e-learning
+ assessment of what students have gained from university education
+ comparative approach to educational policies and teaching methods in higher education
- Using technology
There is special emphasis on using technology in teaching and learning as these are powerful catalysts in education.
There is active participation in the programme from institutional players who, for many years, have worked together to develop training in university teaching and educational research : at UCL, the UNESCO Chair in university teaching, the Institut of University Teaching and Multimedia (Institut de pédagogie universitaire et des Multimédias - IPM) and the FOPA; at the Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix in Namur , the University Teaching Service of the Department of Education and Technology.
Support teams for the Advanced Master
A team (made up of a visiting lecturer, an adviser from one of the university teaching centres if the candidate comes from a university or an adviser from a college of higher education if the candidate comes from this sector) will supervise students’ progress and their final review assignment.
In addition, a review seminar is attended by all students on the programme and to provide support for the production of the final review assignment, a genuine teaching portfolio which should be able to show evidence of critical distance based on theoretical reasoning relating to students’ own teaching.
The assessment of the Advanced Master is done through the production of the final review assignment, in which students show evidence of their ability to analyze and assess their professional practices and make use of the appropriate theoretical frameworks. There is a review seminar to give students help and support for the final review assignment.
Satisfactory completion of the Advanced Master is conditional on the defence of the final review assignment (written report to be submitted).
The assignment is defended orally before a panel of examiners made up of the support team, lecturers from the programme as well as an outside examiner who is a specialist in the relevant subject. A seminar is held to bring the work of participants to a wider university audience.
