Oxford Postgraduate Teaching Network

Supporting good practice in postgraduate teaching

 

Next meeting: Wednesday 28 September, 12.30-2pm online via Teams.

Developing new Postgraduate Taught (PGT) courses: Processes and procedures.

See programme outline below.

If you would like to attend but are not already a member of the network, please send an email to optn_oxford_postgraduate_teaching_network-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk to join the OPTN mailing list, or send an email to delia.orourke@ndm.ox.ac.uk.

 

Postgraduate taught programmes face unique challenges, requiring tailored approaches and solutions. A number of innovative approaches have been developed across the university and the Oxford Postgraduate Teaching Network offers an opportunity to share that expertise and to develop new solutions.

The network brings together academic and learning support staff involved in postgraduate taught programmes to share good practice, and provide resources and support for course design, teaching, delivery and assessment methods. 

It was piloted in the Medical Sciences Division (MSD) in 2020-21, in a collaboration between the Centre for Teaching and Learning and MSD teaching staff, and in 2021-22 it expanded to include the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division. 

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Teaching staff identified some of the challenges and opportunities for development in postgraduate teaching. It was agreed the following five themes would be the initial focus of future meetings:  

  1. Diversifying assessment.
  2. Developing critical thinking skills.
  3. Helping tutors to support student mental health.   
  4. Redesigning programmes; implementing change and innovation.
  5. Feedback and student understanding of assessment criteria.  

Future themes will be determined by network participants.

Format for meetings

Meetings will be 90 minutes long and held on Wednesdays from 12.30-2pm. Presentations will be recorded with permission and shared on the network Canvas resource for network members to view at any time. 

Each meeting will focus on a theme and might typically include: 

  • Short presentations related to the theme. 
  • Tutor and student perspective.
  • Opportunity for small group discussions.
  • Updates on continuing professional development opportunities for staff involved in PGT.

The next meeting of the Oxford Postgraduate Teaching Network (OPTN) will be held on Wednesday 28 September from 12.30-2pm online via Teams.

The theme for the meeting is Developing new Postgraduate Taught (PGT) courses: Processes and procedures.

Speakers will share experiences of navigating the processes for setting up new PGT courses. Perspectives will be from both academic and professional services. Please see programme outline below.

 

Time

 

Content

 

Presenter

12.30pm

Welcome and introduction to today’s theme

Delia O’Rourke, Nuffield Department of Medicine

12.35pm

An overview of University of Oxford processes for developing new courses or making major changes

Tracy Bye, Department of Oncology

12.50pm

Open Q&A on University processes

Jane Dale, Head of Education Policy and Planning, Medical Sciences Division

1pm

The new MSc in Genomic Medicine – transition from informal teaching to a formal PGT programme

Helen Lockstone, Nuffield Department of Medicine

1.20pm

Financial approval for MSc courses

Emily Sommerlade, Medical Sciences Divisional Finance Manager

1.40pm

Benchmarking for course revisions and new course proposals

Zoe Stockdale, Department of Population Health

1.55pm

Summary and close

Tracy Bye, Department of Oncology

2pm

Finish

 

If you would like to attend but are not already a member of the network, please send an email to optn_oxford_postgraduate_teaching_network-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk to join the OPTN mailing list, or send an email to delia.orourke@ndm.ox.ac.uk.

To receive updates about network events and related resources, please join the mailing list.

To do this, send an email to Oxford Postgraduate Teaching Network from the email address from which you wish to subscribe. This is an automated email, so you won't need to include a message or subject. You will receive an email back asking you to confirm your subscription.

If you have any queries about the network, please contact us.

 

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