Didactic perspectives on teaching and learning in higher education

The course can be read as a free-standing course.

The course may be included in a master's degree in teaching and learning in higher education.

Admission to the course requires an awarded bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits or an equivalentdegree. Furthermore, the student must demonstrate proficiency in English equivalent to English 6 (Swedish upper secondary school level) or English level 2 or an international test in English for example TOEFL or IELTS.

The course introduces different issues in relation to adults' learning in higher education based on research on teaching and learning in higher education, and with special relevance for design and implementation of teaching. Contextual conditions for didactic approaches in the own subject area and different teaching practices are addressed. The concept didactics is discussed and problematised in relation to interpretations, theoretical points of departure together with implications for different teaching contexts. Furthermore, consequences are addressed from different points of departure for design and application of forms for teaching in higher education. Subject traditions and underlying norms in teaching practices are problematised. In this, inclusion and broadened participation are also addressed as a dimension of didactic perspectives on adults' learning. The course gives possibility to profiling with regard to the own teaching context.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• formulate and account for didactic issues and which implications these may have for adults' learning in teaching practices in higher education
• discuss and problematise underlying theoretical points of departure for teaching in higher education

Competence and skills

• identify, formulate and concretise design of inclusive teaching and broadened participation in teaching practices in higher education, from a scientific basis

Judgement and approach

• problematise and critically evaluate subject traditions, norms and teaching practices and discuss possibilities and challenges in teaching and learning in higher education
• critically examine and evaluate contextual conditions together with their consequences for teaching and learning in higher education

Lectures, seminars and workshops.

The course includes the following examining assignments

• Oral group assignment, 2 credits
• Oral individual assignment, 1.5 credits
• Written individual assignment, 4 credits 

If a student has failed the same course component twice and wishes to change examiner before the next examination opportunity, a request to this effect must be sent in writing to the department responsible for the course, and shall be granted, unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22, Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for study support for students with disabilities, the examiner may, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

If the course has been discontinued or undergone substantial changes, the student is guaranteed at least three exams/evaluations (including the regular exam) within at least one year and maximum two years. The same applies to internships and professional placements (VFU), although this is restricted to just one additional examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To receive the grade Pass, all above stated examining assignments must be completed with the grade Pass. To receive the grade Pass with distinction (Pass with distinction) in the course are required the grade Pass with distinction on the written individual assignment (4 credits), and grade Pass on oral group assignment, 2 credits and oral individual assignment, 1.5 credits. Oral group assignment, 2 credits. Grade: Pass (G) and Fail (U). Oral individual assignment, 1.5 credits. Grade: Pass (G) and Fail (U). Written individual assignment, 4 credits. Grade: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U).

Course evaluation is performed in relation to the course's intended learning outcomes and content and is implemented at the end of the course through an individual written questionnaire on University of Gothenburg's virtual learning environment. The result of possible changes in the course content are communicated both to the students who carried out the evaluation and to the students who will start the following course.

Access to Internet connection is required to carry out the course.