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Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

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A multilevel approach to professional developmentThe example of the Department of Human <strong>Geography</strong>and Plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> UtrechtLeo Paul, T<strong>in</strong>e Béneker, Rob van der VaartDepartment of Human <strong>Geography</strong> and Plann<strong>in</strong>g,Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Utrecht University,P.O. Box 80.115, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlandse-mail: L.Paul@geo.uu.nlAbstractThis paper discusses various aspects of professional development at the Department ofHuman <strong>Geography</strong> and Plann<strong>in</strong>g of Utrecht University. The multilevel approach proves tobe successful one, as was experienced dur<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>troduction of a new curriculum, necessarybecause of the <strong>in</strong>troduction of the bachelor/master system. An <strong>in</strong>tensive exchange ofideas on different levels, the availability of professional help, and a tradition of <strong>in</strong>novationsled to a relatively smooth transition.Key words: multilevel approach, professional development, curriculum change, bachelor/masterIntroductionProfessional development of academic teach<strong>in</strong>g staff is a major issue <strong>in</strong> most Europeanuniversities. The reasons may be <strong>in</strong>ternal (the raised awareness of the importanceof high quality teach<strong>in</strong>g; critique from students about teach<strong>in</strong>g practices) orexternal (accreditation criteria or rank<strong>in</strong>g exercises; competition for students), andwill generally be a mixture of <strong>in</strong>ternal and external factors (Qanu protocol, 2004).Professional development of academic staff <strong>in</strong>cludes many aspects, rang<strong>in</strong>g fromenhanc<strong>in</strong>g awareness of teach<strong>in</strong>g or assessment strategies, via skills <strong>in</strong> the use of newtechnologies <strong>in</strong> teach<strong>in</strong>g and learn<strong>in</strong>g, to a sense of jo<strong>in</strong>t responsibility of staff for acomplete course or curriculum. Incentives and policies for professional development<strong>in</strong>clude national guidel<strong>in</strong>es, university-wide teach<strong>in</strong>g and learn<strong>in</strong>g strategies (see forexample Gibbs and Coffey 2004) and departmental policies.Professional development <strong>in</strong> the field of academic teach<strong>in</strong>g is always under pressure<strong>in</strong> the research-<strong>in</strong>tensive and generally ill-funded academic context. In thispaper, we discuss the multilevel approach to professional development <strong>in</strong> UtrechtUniversity, us<strong>in</strong>g Human <strong>Geography</strong> and Plann<strong>in</strong>g as a case study at the departmentallevel. We believe that consistent and mutually re<strong>in</strong>forc<strong>in</strong>g professional developmentpolicies at all levels, from the <strong>in</strong>stitutional level to the levels of faculties, schools, staffteams and <strong>in</strong>dividual staff members, are the most promis<strong>in</strong>g way forward, althoughthe pressures of justified research orientation and lack of (f<strong>in</strong>ancial) resources willalways pose a threat to teach<strong>in</strong>g quality.183

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