Teaching Science at University

Content

This course delivers science-specific training to those who teach in the Faculty of Science, Medicine or VetSuisse helping the participants translate their scientific and research expertise into effective, engaging learning experiences for students. The online portion consists of brief videos which can be watched when convenient and weekly assignments which offer the chance to implement new teaching skills directly in one's own teaching plans. Peer and instructor feedback help participants develop a sense of where their pedagogical strengths and weaknesses lie and to anticipate the likely effectiveness of their teaching plans and ideas.

Aims

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• teach in a versatile, adaptive manner, knowing when und how to use evidence-based teaching strategies. 

• design and deliver teaching which builds upon (or corrects) students' everyday conception.

• critically design analogies, teaching contexts, and models to improve student interest and understanding in lessons.

• shift student work in the lab towards inquiry-based learning.

Target

group 

PhD students, Post Docs, and early career Professors who teach science, mathematics, medicine, or veterinary medicine

Requirements 

Final award  

Certificate of attendance (2 ECTS credits)

Number of participants

20

Language

English

Duration  

2 presence half days plus online course

Date

Offered each semester or upon request

Fees

Free of charge

Course Leader

Prof. Dr. Kai Niebert, Sara Petchey (Science and Sustainability Education at the UZH Institute of Education)

Registration 

Sara Petchey

E-Mail

Remarks

In this blended course, we meet in person at the start of the semester for introductions and microteaching, and at the end of the semester for reflecting. In between, participants take a 5-week online course requiring 3-4 hours of work per week. The online course includes short instructional videos, a weekly assignment, and peer review.