Teaching Excellence
How MUC Promotes Teaching Excellence
Characteristics of an Excellent Teacher
At Majan University College, we take the view that an excellent teacher is one who stimulates learning through good lesson preparation, energetic and enthusiastic teaching, empathy, and willingness to help students at all times.
Here are some more specific attributes:
- Up to date in his/her field of specialisation
- Committed to student-centred learning
- Pedagogically innovative
- Skilful when teaching in the online environment
- Reflective practitioner
- Excellent communicator
- Patient and empathetic
- Provider of clear and helpful feedback
Reference
Baker, W., Franz, G., Glenn, A., Herron, N., Pauley, L., Pierce, G., Snavely, L., Von Dorpowski, H., (2005). Definition of Teaching Excellence. Teaching Excellence Committee. Teaching and Learning Consortium, Penn State. Retrieved from: https://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/definition/
The Majan University College Teaching CREDO
Credo (noun): a statement of the beliefs which guide someone's actions. From the Latin for ‘I believe’.
The MUC teaching credo encapsulates five key ingredients which we believe to be important in successful teaching and learning.
Each element in the CREDO acronym is closely associated with the contents of the document ‘Majan University College Standards for Teaching and the Support of Learning’. The table below shows this relationship.
| CREDO Item | ‘Majan University College Standards for Teaching and the Support of Learning’ Item |
| Combining innovative teaching with smart use of technology |
Section 2: Blended Learning
Teaching and the support of learning at MUC must involve:
2.1 frequent engagement with the online learning management system (MOVE);
2.2 a range of appropriate multimedia learning experiences;
2.3 a balance of face to face and technology-mediated interaction and learning.
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| Reducing the length of periods of ‘lecturing’ |
Section 3: Classroom Interaction
3.3 Classroom learning and teaching at MUC… keeps lecturing and lecturer talking time to a necessary minimum.
|
| Encouraging student participation |
Section 3: Classroom Interaction Classroom learning and teaching at MUC… |
| Developing students as independent thinkers and learners |
Section 6: Learning Support
In supporting independent learning, MUC academic staff must:
6.2 ensure that students make use of a range of online and library-based resources;
Appendix (section 6): …help students to learn outside class and to develop as independent and lifelong learners.
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| Offering individual support to students |
Section 6: Learning Support
In supporting personalised learning, MUC academic staff must:
6.3 be available, approachable and supportive at all convenient times;
6.4 make every effort to know individual students and their particular strengths and weaknesses;
6.5 establish and maintain a positive relationship with all students.
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