The Centre's History, Mission, Values and Operational Priorities

HISTORY

The University Teaching Development Centre (UTDC) was established in 1973 as an autonomous academic unit with responsibility to the University Council through the Vice-Chancellor. In 2011 the centre was renamed the Centre for Academic Development.

The initial funding for the Centre was provided by the McKenzie Education Foundation, which also provided much of the encouragement for establishing the Centre (then named the UTDC. Since 1979, the Centre has been fully funded by the University.
The initial conception was that the Centre would provide both staff development and research support in relation to the teaching role of academic staff. These activities still remain at the core of the work of the Centre, although its functions have expanded to include responsibility for the development and administration of the student evaluation system.

The Centre remains independent of any faculty or group in the University and is responsible to the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for its activities.

MISSION

The Centre for Academic Development (CAD) supports the Victoria University of Wellington community in its pursuit of excellence in all aspects of learning and teaching. We achieve this through the provision of professional development in teaching, research into higher education, course and teaching evaluations and other practical services.

VALUES

In seeking to realise our mission, we operate in accordance with the following values:

• A commitment to promoting the highest quality in teaching, scholarship and research;
• A commitment to fostering a community of learning, in partnership with all parts of the University and its staff, cognisant of our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi;
• A commitment to recognising that our most valuable assets are the specialist and professional knowledge of our staff;
• A commitment to the intellectual achievement and personal growth of our staff within a balanced and supportive environment; and
• A commitment to the development and dissemination of new and creative ideas.

OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES

CAD seeks to meet its strategic objectives through four main programmes, which together are designed to provide an integrated approach to professional development, quality assurance, and the promotion of innovation. These programmes are underpinned by scholarship and research conducted professionally in partnership with various elements of the University and the wider academic community.

Academic Staff Development

CAD runs a biennial Orientation programme for new academic staff which is designed to provide a background to teaching in the VUW context, and introduces new academic staff to a range of topics which have a direct impact on their teaching role at VUW. Throughout the year, CAD also offers a variety of academic development workshops and opportunities for discussions on a range of topics, although where possible we prioritise sessions aimed at improving programmes as a whole.

In 2012, to make more targeted use of resources and recognising the reducing uptake of central workshops, CAD continued to promote more dispersed development opportunities within faculties and alongside course development. We also continued to offer the MANU-Ao suite of academic development opportunities specifically developed to support Maori academic staff.
For staff interested in obtaining teaching qualifications, we offer the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (PHELT). The learning and teaching conference Ako Victoria is now well-established as an annual event.

Teaching Feedback Services

A core function of CAD is to support the collection of student feedback for Victoria University courses and teaching staff. The primary aim of the system is to provide teaching staff and management with feedback to help improve the quality of courses and teaching. CAD is also involved in the development of formative questionnaires, programme reviews, facilitated evaluations, and lecturer/tutor observations.

Digital Technologies for Learning and Teaching

CAD provides advice and support for the development and integration of new techniques and technologies into teaching. The focus is on encouraging the use of educational technology, in pedagogically sound ways, to respond to the increasing diversity of student and staff needs in the area of learning and teaching. Support and training is also provided for staff wishing to utilise the University’s learning management system (Blackboard). CAD works closely with the IT Services and Student Academic Services to ensure that the learning management system meets the ever-changing needs of students and staff.

Learning and Teaching Advice and Policy Development

CAD provides advice and collaborates with the Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor (Academic) on the development of University policies covering a range of issues related to learning and teaching, including: staff development, assessment, implementation of the Learning and Teaching Strategy, digital technologies, evaluation of teaching, graduate attributes, academic staff appraisal, research supervision, tutor training, group and peer assessment, flexible learning, and the relationship of the University to the wider context of higher education.