Flinders Foundations of University Teaching (FFOUT) Program

Course description

The Flinders Foundations of University Teaching (FFOUT) Program, developed by the teaching team in the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT), is designed to support and promote the Flinders University's Strategic Plan Making a Difference – the 2025 Agenda. FFOUT is open to all academic staff who wish to develop their teaching skills. Academic staff who are new to Flinders are required to participate in this course as stipulated in our current Enterprise Agreement.

FFOUT endeavours to promote an interactive learning environment both online and face-to-face with an array of collaborative learning activities designed to assist participants to gain a theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary developments in learning and teaching. The main objectives of the program cater to the immediate needs of a newly appointed academic staff and provide them with an opportunity to develop a pragmatic approach to learning as well as to build a support network of academics and other key staff throughout the University.

Past participants have indicated that participation in the program has helped them become more confident in teaching, provided an increased awareness about the importance of being responsive to students, encouraged them to think more critically and make more conscious choices about their approaches to teaching and learning. Those participants who were more experienced teachers said participation in the program had affirmed and validated the way they taught and provided an opportunity to think about the way they teach. Others have said that participation in FFOUT allowed them to gain further insights, strategies and/or knowledge about teaching and learning.

All newly appointed academic staff members with continuing, convertible and fixed-term positions are required to attend the FFOUT program. Staff members should, ideally complete the program within their first year of employment. Evidence of completion must be included as part of the documentation to satisfy the requirements for confirmation of employment towards the end of their probation period.

Exemptions

It may be appropriate in special circumstances to exempt a staff member from all or part of the Flinders Foundations of University Teaching program, in recognition of significant teaching experience or recent training.

The staff member should discuss participation in the FFOUT program with their supervisor within the first month of appointment, as part of establishing training requirements required to fulfil probation conditions. While the onus is on the staff member to provide the case for full/part exemption, it is up to the supervisor to determine whether an exemption is appropriate.

Exemptions may only be granted by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Learning & Teaching Innovation), Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching, to whom a case for full/part exemption should initially be submitted by the staff member, together with confirmation of the supervisor's support. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students), if needed, will have final authority for determining exemptions.

This process should occur as early as possible so that the staff member and supervisor are clear about what training, if any, needs to be completed within the probationary period.

Towards the end of probation, as part of the formal documentation provided to satisfy the requirements for confirmation of employment, the staff member will need to include evidence of any full or part exemption that has been granted. 

All exemptions from the mandatory programs will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and will be approved in accordance to the University's Mandatory Induction Program.

Program structure

The FFOUT program comprises attendance and active participation in:

• a series of online modules and face-face workshops (for the full day attendance, lunch will be provided) 
• the development and submission of a Personal Learning Portfolio (PLP) which includes a continuing professional development plan.

Type of course

Workshop

Presenters