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Staff development - Academic staff

Consideration

Academic staff development is concerned with the potential improvement of all that an academic does in the course of her/his professional career.

Each staff member may expect thier head or dean, as appropriate to provide guidance for improving effectiveness in teaching, research and administrative work, thereby enhancing the prospect for career advancement.

The principal resource centre for Academic staff development is the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) which reports to the pro vice-chancellor (quality) and is independent of all faculty structures.

Staff development includes assistance to staff to improve the quality of teaching and learning within the university.

Services provided by the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT)

The centre provides advice and support on a confidential basis about any aspect of the professional duties and career development of Academic staff. This is complementary to the academic support available through normal departmental and faculty resources.

An accredited Graduate Certificate in Higher Education is offered free to Monash staff. This 4 unit programme is part of the probation requirements of Monash University and is delivered flexibly to ensure accessibility for staff.

CALT conducts centralised and faculty/department/school based workshops on various aspects of learning and teaching. An emerging focus for such workshops is areas of potential improvement identified through Unit and national surveys such as the Unit Evaluation Questionnaire, the Monash Experience Questionnaire and the Course Experience Questionnaire. Topics can include curriculum planning and evaluation, learning objectives, flexible teaching strategies, assessment, inclusive teaching, and the evaluation of teaching.

Seminars are organised when specific issues arise which are related to academic work. The aim of such seminars is to bring interested people together to explore important issues. From time to time CALT may present the results of institutional research carried out by its own staff.

In addition to the provision of the above services, specific programs are provided to meet the identified needs of:

  • new members of staff;
  • ongoing members of staff;
  • chairs or heads of departments, schools and related units; and
  • postgraduate supervisors.

The centre exists to foster improvement in teaching and learning through strategically focussed support.

Other staff development resources

Opportunity is provided for staff to develop further their professional careers through participation in the outside studies program and attendance at conferences.

The Staff Development Unit (SDU) provides a range of development opportunities for academic and General staff with programs and services supporting organisational, team and individual learning.

An internal consulting and referral service is provided for heads of academic and administrative units.  The SDU support for the Monash performance management schemes for academic and General staff includes:

  • compulsory supervisor training
  • staff briefing sessions
  • information, advice and web based support tools for supervisors and staff

Formal programs are offered in the areas of

  • Staff selection and induction
  • Communication and teamwork
  • Leadership, management & supervision
  • Quality and customer service
  • Working at Monash
  • IT training for the web and desktop publications for the Monash environment

Additional resource centres such as the chaplain's office, university counselling service, and university health service are freely available for confidential consultation on any matters of personal concern. These services are described in Principal resource/support services for staff consultation.