Training in Teaching

The department strongly encourages graduate students to become involved in demonstrating.  At the start of Michaelmas Term, the department runs an initial training session in teaching and demonstrating.  It then provides opportunities for graduates to act as demonstrators in undergraduate practicals and field courses.  Attendance at the initial training session together with two satisfactory reports (across two terms) on class teaching lead to a pass at Stage 1 of the available training.  Those who pass Stage 1 will be added to the Departmental Teaching Register which is available for college tutors to consult.  Stage 1 constitutes Preparation for Learning and Teaching (PLTO) in the University’s terminology.

Stage 2 is called Developing Learning and Teaching (DLT) and training consists of background reading, attendance at training seminars, some practical experience of teaching and reflective evaluation of the teaching.  The programme is accredited by the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA).  Successful completion of the DLT programme will lead to a SEDA “Supporting Learning” award.  This award is aligned with the more widely known Associate Fellowship of the HEA (Descriptor 1 of the UK Professional Standards Framework).

For details of Stage 1 (PLTO) and Stage 2 (DLT) see the Centre for Teaching and Learning webpages and the MPLS training webpages.

Graduates who wish to demonstrate on the undergraduate programme should contact the Academic Office.

Those who wish to pursue an academic career might like to consider the advice offered in the Notices of the AMS to jobseekers, as well as an analysis of the way teaching is evaluated by hiring committees. Although these are specifically about US practice, a lot of what is said is of value generally.