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Congratulations to Caroline

Caroline Daniel (opens in new window)

Caroline Daniel of the Social Sciences Teaching Group has recently been awarded the MA HELT degree with Distinction by Robert Gordon University. In the process, she was awarded a grade A for her thesis. Below Caroline outlines what was involved.

After surviving my probationary year, I started the distance learning PG Cert HELT (Higher Education Learning and Teaching) in 2006 with RGU. Subject areas included learning theories and styles, assessment & feedback, developing instructional materials etc. Many of the assessments were designed to allow you to submit evidence that you would use in your own teaching - which was a real strength of the course. In addition we had to participate in online discussion forums – a scary prospect! but a valuable learning experience as each person also had to take on the role of summariser and facilitator for a week at a time. My final project was on student personal development planning, which probably explains my current involvement with PebblePAD. A key part of PDP and of the course is Reflective Practice which was challenging at first but really worthwhile.

Those successful on the PG Cert can then continue to complete the MA and this is what I opted to do. The title of my dissertation was ‘Enhancing support for distance learners through the use of online social and collaborative technologies - benefit or barrier?’ which has been very relevant to the introduction of the new distance learning course in Rural Business Management.

I’ve had great support from my colleagues at SAC and especially Kyrsten Black who volunteered to be my supervisor even while off on maternity leave, and would highly recommend the course to any new members of teaching staff who don’t currently have a teaching qualification.

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