Academic Programme and Digital Learning Lead

Job title: Academic Programme and Digital Learning Lead Department/Faculty: Department for Health Faculty of Humanities & Social Science Responsible to: Head of Department Job purpose Th

Job title: Academic Programme and Digital Learning Lead

Department/Faculty: Department for Health

Faculty of Humanities & Social Science

Responsible to: Head of Department

Job purpose

This is a new post, and the Academic Programme and Digital Learning Lead (APDLL) will have a dual purpose:

1) To make a significant contribution to the day to day management of three distance learning programmes: MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine, MSc Sports Physiotherapy, and a new MSc in Football Medicine in association with FIFA Working in partnership with the Director of Studies for each programme, the APDLL will act as a key contact for students, provide support to clinical tutors and Professional Development Advisors, and work with the programme administrators

to ensure positive student experience and smooth transition and support through the programme

2) To lead the use, review and enhancement of learning technologies in teaching and learning on our three distance learning programmes This will involve driving the implementation of innovative teaching and assessment methods using technology enhanced learning across the programmes, providing support and advice to clinical and academic teaching staff on digital scholarship, and working directly with others to support the development of unit, and programme-wide virtual learning platforms (including content production and media) Support for professional development in technology enhanced learning will be provided, and the APDLL will be expected to work closely with the central University Centre for Learning and Teaching, which provides a network of learning technologists from whom to share good practice and learn about new developments that can be brought to the programmes

The three programmes are delivered through blended learning, with teaching being delivered primarily online alongside annual face to face residential teaching weeks, and clinical assessments The post will require depth of understanding of current best practice in postgraduate medical education, and will have a fundamental role in the success of our programmes, and in ensuring they keep pace with technological advances

The workload required by the dual roles may vary over time Some contribution to teaching and assessment may also be expected when this can be accommodated within the workload

Source and nature of management provided

Director of Teaching

Staff management responsibility

N/A

Special conditions

The post-holder will be required to meet tight deadlines

The post holder will ensure full compliance with all University policies and guidelines

Main duties and responsibilities

Programme management

1 Work closely with the Directors of Studies and Clinical Directors of the

Department for Health’s distance learning programmes to co-ordinate and manage the development and delivery of teaching

2 Provide management and administrative support to the programmes,

including attending meetings, unit and programme boards, report writing and monitoring of engagement

3 Take a lead on providing effective and timely communication with staff and

students enrolled in the Department for Health’s distance learning

postgraduate education programmes

4 Ensure that the timely recruitment and induction of PDAs takes place, that

PDAs are matched with mentors from among the clinical team, and monitor PDA engagement with students and units

5 Oversee the timely enrolment of students onto relevant units, monitor and

troubleshoot student progression, co-ordinate and communicate assessment and moderation deadlines to staff and students

7 Assist with the organisation of residential teaching weeks and exams as

required

8 Develop and lead the implementation of suitable Induction programmes for

students, PDAs and new clinical tutors

Technology enhanced learning support

9 Take a lead in developing plans for ongoing curriculum review and

development

10 Be proactive in identifying issues and barriers to the successful development

and operation of the on-line provision, and develop and operationalise

appropriate mitigation strategies

11 Liaise with the University’s Technology Enhanced Learning team (TEL) to

ensure effective provision of up to date e-learning resources and support for

staff and students on our distance learning programmes.

12 Leadership in developing efficient e-assessment solutions for digital

assessment (including video and audio, related to clinical exams), and showcase new pedagogical approaches and digital skills to using technology

in teaching and learning

13 Provide one-to-one guidance to staff and students, in the context of their

wider TEL skills development

14 Bring knowledge and experience to the improvement of online learning

delivery on our distance learning programmes

15 Be adaptive and responsive to the dynamics of demand in the online

provision

Teaching

Prepare and deliver lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes and online learning activities – as appropriate to the department and discipline - on a defined, specific and sometimes specialist subject (either undergraduate or postgraduate), with associated assessments, within an existing course framework

Includes preparing teaching materials, communicating subject matter clearly, supporting students’ studies and encouraging debate to develop rational thinking as appropriate to the unit being taught

16 Participate in the review of undergraduate and taught postgraduate units and

programmes and contribute to the review and updating of programmes as appropriate within the Department/School

17 Supervise the project work of undergraduate students and Masters project

students, where appropriate

18 Take responsibility for setting and assessment of coursework and

examinations, including marking and providing written/oral feedback across all years of the programmes

19 Carry out course evaluation including facilitating student feedback, reflecting

on own teaching design and delivery and implementing ideas for improving own performance in line with University and Department policy

20 Deal with student queries about the content and delivery of a unit as well as

providing advice and ideas to them where necessary

21 Co-ordinate the work of teaching assistants and professional development

advisors (PDAs), where applicable

22 Plan and prioritise own work and forward plan for teaching.

You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager You are required to follow all University policies and procedures at all times and take account of University guidance

Person Specification Criteria: Qualifications and Training

PhD in a relevant subject or some relevant academic teaching

experience or relevant professional knowledge

x

UG degree or equivalent level qualification or equivalent

professional expertise

x

Higher education teaching qualification or professional

recognition (e.g PGCert, FHEA or equivalent)

x

A background in a postgraduate education applied to health

care professionals

x

Experience of managing academic development projects x

Experience of successfully following QA procedures in Higher

Education

x

Excellent knowledge and application of Standard IT packages x

Experience in a higher education environment working with

postgraduate students

x

Experience in the use of virtual learning environments and in

the use of technology to support learners

x

Sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to contribute to

course development and scholarship activities

x

Capable of context setting and handling conceptual

frameworks

x

Excellent interpersonal skills used for developing and

sustaining productive working relationships with internal and

external colleagues

x

Advanced computer and software skills, including MS Office

and web-based suites

x

Ability to motivate and enthuse team members and students x

Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a

team

x

Ability to think strategically and to contribute to strategic

Personal drive and desire to achieve excellent results x Good understanding of on-line programme delivery, the

process of online programme development and the challenges

this presents

x

Excellent organisational skills, including ability to prioritise own

work

x

Willing to work flexibly, and to progress multiple strands of

work in parallel

x

Ability to assess and market student coursework and provide

feedback

x

Ability to recognise those having difficulties, intervene and

provide help and support

x