Exploring lecturers’ self-perception of change in teaching practice

Abstract

The principal aim of this study is to explore the self-perception of change in teaching practice by lecturers who have graduated from the Postgraduate Certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching Course over a period extending from 2000–2003. A qualitative questionnaire was distributed to the 45 successful graduates of the course to establish the difference that the course has made on these lecturers’ professional practice as a result of the course they completed. For this study, 25 lecturers returned completed questionnaires; all indicated that change had taken made in their teaching practice, and a number of alterations had taken place. Some of these claims lacked evidence and others provided evidence to support it. The most significant changes identified were increased reflection on current teaching practice, the introduction of new teaching strategies, increased focus on the design and delivery of classes, more work taking place on course teams, an increase in confidence about learning and teaching and a more student-centred approach taken to teaching.