Professionalising Teaching: enhancing the status of teaching, improving the experience of learning and supporting innovation in higher education

Abstract

Extant literature on professions suggests that there is a readily recognisable set of characteristics of a profession, but this is a contested issue, particularly in the area of recognising the professionalism of those who teach and support learning in higher education. In the UK, the Institute for Learning and Teaching was set up as a result of the Dearing report to recognise the experience and expertise of those working in these areas. The ILT offers a model for professionalising teaching, to which continuous professional development (CPD) is key. Geographers and those who teach related subjects are already in the vanguard of this activity.

Keywords:

• Professionalism
• Higher Education
• Accreditation
• Learning Communities
• National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS)
• Excellence
• Institute For Learning And Teaching (ILT)