Longer term proposals include:
Higher level qualifications
Work towards optional higher level qualifications to link teachers' career development to their academic leadership in the specialist skills of learning design, e-learning practice, formative evaluation and research on e-learning pedagogy.
Career and workload
Consult with teachers, support staff, their representatives and the college as an employer, to establish standards of professional competence, career paths and incentives for those who wish to develop particular expertise in the innovative use of e-learning, with the aim of strengthening the professional practice across the college.
In their response to the e-learning strategy consultation document, they state that 'human resources are the most important strategic opportunity and constraint. Colleges will have to be pro-active in persuading staff of the benefits of e-teaching and e-learning and that the investment of their time will deliver value to their work places.' Among the lessons they have clearly learned are, 'we are concerned and aware that highly prescriptive staff course contract hours and the rigidity of contracts for teachers are not conducive to continuous improvement and innovation. A blended approach to teacher development could be a model for engaging teachers as well as learners. In addition, models for rewarding those teachers who develop their skills in this area should be developed particularly where the practice demonstrates teaching and learning has been made more effective.' Interestingly they note that, 'we believe that greater emphasis should also be placed on developing the institutional workforce and not just teachers. Developing all staff will be critical to serving the needs and aspirations of learners.'13 ..continue to learners, learning and the curriculum
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