Teaching & Learning Certificates of Completion Program

The Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching offers the Teaching and Learning Certificates of Completion Program for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Students and fellows may earn one, or both, of the following certificates of completion throughout their studies:

Teaching and Learning Foundations Certificate of Completion

(1)        EDUCATN 600: Essential Skills in Teaching and Learning (I)

Students select and complete six workshops from a list approved by the Paul R. MacPherson Institute on Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching. The workshops are focused on key foundational themes in teaching and learning in higher education. Students are also responsible for writing a series of reflections.

[No prerequisites.]

• Format: Virtual and Online
• Workshops:
  • An Introduction to Avenue to Learn
  • Educational Technologies I
  • Adult Learning Theories
  • Accessible Teaching Techniques
  • Active Learning
  • Facilitating Online Discussions
  • Marking Efficiently and Effectively
  • Research in Teaching and Learning I
  • PowerPoint Design for Learning
  • Developing a Teaching Philosophy Statement
• Instructor: Sarah Whitwell
• Dates: Tuesdays, May 11-July 27
• Days/Times: The first (May 11) and final (July 27) classes will be online synchronous class meetings from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.. Moreover, there will be a mid-course Q&A session June 15 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.. Students will be able to complete the asynchronous online workshops on any date/time throughout the term.

(2)        EDUCATN 650: Peer-Evaluated Teaching Experience

This zero-unit graduate course is offered in a small group setting and is designed to enhance teaching effectiveness. During the course (full virtual attendance/completion of all components is mandatory to earn a pass), students design and conduct three lessons and receive verbal, written, and video feedback from other students. Using an intensive experiential learning approach, students are provided with information on the theory and practice of teaching adult learners, the selection and writing of useful intended learning outcomes with accompanying lesson plans, techniques for eliciting learner participation, and suggestions for evaluation of learning. Reflection and examination of one’s teaching practices are encouraged.

[No prerequisites.]

• Format: Virtual and Online
• Instructors: Devon Mordell, Julia Evanovitch, & Julianne Sumpson
• Dates: The course is a mix of synchronous and asynchronous online learning. The synchronous sessions for the term are:
  • Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. [Full Class]
  • Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. [Small Group A]
  • Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. [Small Group B]*
  • Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. [Small Group A]
  • Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. [Small Group B]
  • Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. [Small Group A]
  • Wednesday, June 16th, 2021 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. [Small Group B]

*One small group will meet on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 12:30-4:30 p.m. instead

The small groups may not be finalized prior to first synchronous session, Students should hold all 7 synchronous session dates in their calendar until that time. There will be no switching back and forth between Small Groups – if a student is assigned to Small Group A then they will remain in Small Group A for the duration of the course. If the dates are such that a student could fully participate in the course should they be assigned to Small Group A but they could not fully participate should they be assigned to Small Group B, after they register they should contact the course instructors (before the first class) to request placement in their ideal Small Group.

Teaching and Learning Scholar Certificate of Completion

The two Teaching and Learning Foundations Certificate of Completion courses (i.e., EDUCATN 600 and EDUCATN 650), PLUS…

(1)        EDUCATN 700: Essential Skills in Teaching and Learning (II)

Students select and complete six workshops from a list approved by the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching. The workshops are focused on key scholarly themes in teaching and learning in higher education. Students are also responsible for writing a series of reflections.

[Prerequisite: EDUCATN 600]

• Format: Virtual and Online
• Workshops:
  o Research in Teaching and Learning II
  o  Educational Technologies II
  o  Creating and Using Videos for Teaching Online
  o  Motivating and Engaging Students Online
  o  Seven Research Based Principles for Smart Teaching
  o  Experiential Learning
  o  Teaching Contentious Topics
  o   Collecting Feedback on Your Teaching
  o  Teaching an Online Course
  o  Mentoring and Supervising Students
• Instructor: Kelsey Harvey
• Dates: Thursdays, May 13-July 29
• Days/Times: The first (May 13) and final (July 29) classes will be online synchronous class meetings from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.. Moreover, there will be a mid-course Q&A session on June 17 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.. Students will be able to complete the asynchronous online workshops on any date/time throughout the term.

EDUCATN 750/751 and EDUCATN 760 will not be offered during the Spring 2021 term.

Notes:

• Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows do not incur any fees for taking the courses.
• All of the courses are Pass/Fail and appear on graduate students’ transcripts.
• All of the courses are 0 unit with the exception of EDUCATN 750, which is 3 unit. Graduate students should ask their department/school whether they have permission to take the 3 unit version of the course (i.e., EDUCATN 750), and if so, whether the course will count towards their degree requirements.
• In addition to the EDUCATN 650 course counting towards the Teaching and Learning Foundations Certificate of Completion, it also earns individuals the internationally recognized “Instructional Skills Workshop” certificate.
• Graduate students may register for the courses through Mosaic. Postdoctoral fellows may register by emailing Emily Hynes (hynese@mcmaster.ca) and requesting that their name be added to a class list. Registration is first come, first serv
• For more information, please visit: https://teaching.mcmaster.ca/whoweworkwith/students/teaching-learning-certificates-of-completion-program/

Testimonials from previous earners

Firat, PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Business, Foundations Earner

“I would strongly recommend taking the EDUCATN 600 and 650 courses and earning the Foundations Certificate of Completion. Taking these courses will allow you to establish a solid pedagogic foundation. You will also have [a] competitive advantage in the academic job market with this Certificate of Completion which demonstrates your teaching skills.”

 

Gwendolyn, PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Science, Foundations Earner

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the EDUCATN courses within the Teaching and Learning Certificates of Completion Program. The course content is both relevant and beneficial to my current and future teaching experiences in post-secondary education. … The graduate-level courses offered through the MacPherson Institute’s Teaching and Learning Certificates of Completion Program are a hidden gem at McMaster University, and I would encourage graduate students from all faculties to take advantage of the opportunities they provide, especially if they have interest in teaching.”

 

Sujane, MSc Graduate in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Foundations Earner

“The Teaching and Learning Foundations Certificate [of Completion] … has been a benefit to my academic journey and career development. I was able to not only learn very specific ways to improve student engagement (e.g. in a tutorial), but also had the opportunity to consciously reflect upon what kind of instructor I aspire to be. I think having a space dedicated to 1) exploring better teaching strategies within a university setting and 2) building a supportive community for those who hope to or are already teaching is what allows McMaster to stay ahead and continue to grow.”

 

Andrea, PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Scholar Earner

“The … Teaching and Learning Certificates [of Completion] Program provides graduate students with an exceptional opportunity to gain formal instruction in higher education teaching and learning. I particularly like the inter-disciplinary nature of the program and having the opportunity to meet and learn from graduate students across the university. The interactive nature of the program allowed us to share teaching experiences and learn from both students and instructors. The program broadened my teaching knowledge and skill set, as well as complemented my practical teaching experiences throughout my graduate studies. I highly recommend the program to all graduate students with an interest in teaching.”

 

Megan, Former Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Engineering, Scholar Earner

“In addition to offering practical techniques and resources, the teaching and learning classes offered at the MacPherson Institute offered me the valuable opportunity to reflect and consider my approach to post-secondary teaching. The guided support in self-assessing my personal teaching and communication practices really benefited my confidence and ability to implement new and more effective teaching methods.”

 

Angela, PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Humanities, Scholar Earner

“The Teaching and Learning Certificates of Completion Program supported me in the redesign of a course, the earning of a Teaching Fellowship sessional contract for teaching the course, and the skills to evaluate the outcomes of the redesigned course; earning my PhD comprehensive with this teaching and learning research project. Curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation are important transferrable skills that are sure to expand my future employment opportunities.”