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:
(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.]
(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 (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.
The small groups may not be finalized prior to first session, Students should hold all 7 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.
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]
(2) EDUCATN 750/751: Principles and Practices of University Teaching
This course can be taken as a three-unit (EDUCATN 750) or zero-unit (EDUCATN 751) graduate level course. The focus is on honing essential pedagogical and practical teaching skills. This includes sessions on curriculum design, teaching strategies, assessment strategies, and developing a teaching portfolio.
(3) EDUCATN 760: Self-Directed Study
In this zero-unit graduate course, you will engage in a self-directed study on a higher-education topic of your choice from one of three streams: a research project, developing a workshop, or developing an online learning module. As you develop your project, you will receive feedback from your peers and the course instructor. At the end of the term, you will be expected to present your work and articulate a plan detailing how you will share your project with others.
[Prerequisites: EDUCATN 600 and EDUCATN 650]
Notes:
Graduate students can register for the courses through Mosaic. Postdoctoral fellows can register for them by emailing Emily Hynes (hynese@mcmaster.ca) and requesting that their name be added to a class list. Registration is first come, first served.
For more information, please visit:
https://teaching.mcmaster.ca/whoweworkwith/students/teaching-learning-certificates-of-completion-program/
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