Project Details

Teaching and Learning Circles (TLCs) are a facilitated peer observation of teaching and a professional development opportunity for tertiary teachers. The project offers evidence of the impact of TLCs on collegiality, confidence and competence among tertiary educators.

Aims:

The main aim of the project was to explore the influence of a peer observation of teaching initiative, the ‘Teaching and Learning Circles’ (TLCs), on teaching culture/s and student learning.

This work builds on the completed Ako Aotearoa co-funded project Teaching and Learning Circles: A framework for enhancing teaching culture and practice by Tracy Rogers (Project Leader), Associate Professor Clinton Golding, Dr Rob Wass, and Dr Julie Timmermans at the University of Otago. 

Methodology:

The project methodology involved:

  • rolling out the TLC concept across interested schools in three different faculties, with the aim of having at least 10 functioning TLCs, with four members in each TLC
  • TLC participants completing a pre- and post-programme questionnaire, being interviewed when their TLC finishes, and then again up to six months after the programme.

Research question:

  • To what extent, or in what ways, does the Teaching and Learning Circles initiative influence teaching culture/s?

Team

victoria university

Dr Kathryn Sutherland

Project Leader

Victoria University of Wellington
victoria university

Dr Irina Elgort

Victoria University of Wellington
victoria university

Dr Emma Tennent

Victoria University of Wellington

Status

Completed

Funding

$29,791.00 (excl GST)

$9,981.00 Regional Hub Project Fund
$19,810.00 Victoria University of Wellington

Key Findings

Key Recommendations

Report

Teaching and Learning Circles: Developing Reflective Practice and Enhancing Teaching Culture – Project report

This report describes the successful implementation of a Teaching and Learning Circles (TLCs) process at one New Zealand university. Evidence is shared of the impact of TLCs on collegiality, confidence and competence among participants. 

(PDF, 473 KB, 22-pages)

  • 28 February 2020
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Tool

Teaching and Learning Circles resource pack

This resource pack provides an introduction to Teaching and Learning Circles and some resources to help you get started.

(PDF, 524 KB, 16-pages)

  • 28 February 2020
Read more