Learning Community and Peer Support Network
The University of Hong Kong’s Learning Community and Peer Support Network was established to provide an informal network of support for University Teachers.
The Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning invites any University Teachers who have an interest in enhancing their ability, sharing what works well for them, and have a desire to contribute meaningfully to student learning and student development, and as a consequence, to the development of The University of Hong Kong, to become a member of the Learning Community and Peer Support Network.
The acquisition of skills as a University Teacher must be seen as a continuing process during the career of an academic staff member. Universities provide professional development opportunities but the ultimate responsibility for development as a skilled teacher rests with the individual academic staff member.
These are some of the perceived benefits from involvement in the Learning Community and Peer Support Network:
- provides an environment where the primary focus is how to enhance one’s teaching, and consequently learning outcomes for students
- learning experiences may result in increases in a university teacher’s confidence
- enhancement of teaching ability through being part of an active learning community
- provision of a means to evaluate and reflect on one’s own teaching
- access for all university teachers to a connected community of academics
- reduces isolation for new university teachers
- introduces the concept, process and importance of self-reflection early in an academic’s career
- introduces an academic to his or her professional responsibilities for continuous enhancement of teaching and thus richer learning experiences for students
- provides an opportunity to collaboratively address issues such as how to address changes in educational practices, student groups and learning environments
- provides a forum for problem-solving
- increase in satisfaction derived from sharing with other members of the Learning Community
- provides an environment where an academic is supported and not judged
Teachers who are interested in becoming a member of The University of Hong Kong’s Learning Community and Peer Support Network are invited to contact the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning for information about proposed events.