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University pedagogy (‘UH-Ped’ courses)

Are you looking to develop your pedagogical competence in the higher education sector? USN is offering two courses for those looking to boost their pedagogical competence in relation to student teaching and mentoring.

What are the UH-Ped subjects?


At USN we are offering the following two university pedagogical subject courses that have been prepared with the aim of boosting our employee’s professional educational expertise:

  • UH-ped course 1 (UHUL – Teaching, learning and assessment in the higher education sector)
  • UH-ped course 2 (UHUDT – Education in a digital age)

The courses each carry ten study credits, and they mutually build on one another. Both are also based on collective gatherings. The courses promote active participation and a variety of ways of working. There will also be mandatory pre- and post-gathering work assignments. The collective gatherings will provide opportunities to discuss teaching-related issues with colleagues from a number of different fields. 


Why is this of interest to me as an employee at USN?

 

In order to be able to plan, implement and assess their teaching and learning in a deliberate and reflective manner, it is essential that teachers continue to develop their pedagogical competence. There also exists a formal requirement in respect of basic professional educational competence to be able to teach in the higher education sector and apply for promotion to positions such as Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer, Professor and Docent. These courses will introduce you to basic theoretical perspectives, terminologies, models, working methods and tools that will help you in the planning, implementation and assessment of your teaching and mentoring activities. The main focus will be on student learning and educational quality.


What is the difference between the two UH-ped courses?

 

Course 1 focuses on fundamental topics such as student learning, teaching and the planning of teaching and mentoring activities in a higher education context. The course encompasses theoretical and research-based knowledge in the fields of teaching, learning and assessment. Topics such as the role of the teacher, teaching quality, student learning, styles of teaching, the organisation of coherent teaching, assessment, student evaluation and mentoring, among others, will be highlighted in this course. 

 

Course 2 focuses on teaching, learning and assessment using digital tools in digital contexts. It encompasses five main topics: the teacher’s professional digital competence, learning resources and the GDPR, collaborative learning, assessment, as well as student active learning and the flipped classroom. The use of digital tools and resources will be rooted in pedagogical and didactic principles. During the course participants will have the opportunity to test a variety of digital tools and resources as part of their own teaching activities. 

Both courses switch between theory, experience sharing and reflection. The participants will be encouraged to explore how different approaches to practical pedagogical teaching can be implemented. 

 

Important information for applicants

 

Main admissions to these courses take place in spring at each respective faculty. Since it is faculty managers who recruit course participants, those wishing to attend the courses must register their interest with their respective faculty manager.

A maximum of 30 participants will be admitted to each of the courses each term. USN management has determined that recently employed applicants will be given priority for these courses, but that some places will also be reserved for employees who are very close to qualifying as Professors but who lack any form of pedagogical qualifications in higher education.  

Activities that take place both during and in connection with the course gatherings are key to learning outcomes and are thus mandatory. Attendance at a 10-credit course during an otherwise busy working day places demands on a participant’s investment in time and effort. Management recommends therefore that employees who are granted a place on these courses are permitted to allocate a minimum of 150 hours per course as part of their work schedule. 


Do you have any questions about the UH-ped courses?

  • If you have any questions about admissions and administrative procedures, contact Erlend Woldseth.
  • For subject-related questions and other enquiries, contact Fazilat Siddiq. Write ‘UH-ped 2’ in the subject field.