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POST REFERENCE NO: F34141/00
JOB TITLE: Director - Learning Development Unit
DEPARTMENT: Information Services
Learning & Research Support Division
The University of Birmingham
SALARY RANGE: £31,563 - £35,670 a year
DURATION: For 3 years in the first instance
INFORMAL ENQUIRIES TO: Michele Shoebridge, Assistant Director,
Tel No: 0121-414-5831
Email: [log in to unmask]
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT
OF APPLICATIONS: 20 June 2000
INTERVIEW DATE: 12 July 2000
APPLICATIONS FORMS The Director of Personnel Services
RETURNABLE TO: The University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 2TT
RECRUITMENT OFFICE
FAX NO: 0121-414-4802
RECRUITMENT OFFICE
TELEPHONE NO: 0121-414-6486
EMAIL ADDRESS: [log in to unmask]
WEB SITE: http//www.bham.ac.uk/personnel/
INFORMATION SERVICES
Learning and Research Support Division
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
DIRECTOR - LEARNING DEVELOPMENT UNIT
Responsible to:
Assistant Director, Learning and Research Support
Responsible for:
A number of part-time academic staff seconded to the Unit to undertake
specific projects
Job summary
The Learning Development Unit will be a vital component in the
implementation of the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy and will
be attached to the Learning and Research Support Division of Information
Services. The Director will establish, manage and promote the Unit,
working to change the learning and teaching culture at the University of
Birmingham towards a more flexible delivery and to promote best practice.
The Director will work closely with the LDU Advisory Board (which is
chaired by the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching and
represents academic and administrative units with an interest in developing
learning and teaching), with School-based Directors of Learning and
Teaching and other interested parties, to identify projects (up to 10 at any
one time) and to negotiate the secondment of suitable academic staff to
complete the projects. Other duties will include ensuring that technical
support is available for LDU projects and attracting external funding to the
Unit.
Main duties
· To liaise with Heads of Schools and their Directors of Learning and
Teaching to identify suitable academic staff to be seconded to the LDU to
undertake individual projects which will develop a curriculum suitable for
flexible learning and to work with the LDU Advisory Board to identify other
projects that would benefit the University's Learning & Teaching strategy
· To identify and resource the technical requirements of the LDU projects
· To create a project management structure to ensure that projects are
delivered on time, within budget and in accordance with the aims and
objectives of the specification
· To contribute to the promotion of good practice and innovation in learning
and teaching and provide a source of pedagogic learning and teaching
expertise
· To devise a framework for providing 'pump-priming' funding for teaching
development
· To collaborate with other teams within the Learning and Research
Support Division, and other agencies particularly the Staff Development
Unit (SDU), the Centre for Educational Technology and Distance Learning
(CETADL) and the Academic Policy Support Unit to identify and make
recommendations about new trends in learning and teaching technologies,
including online learning environments
· To identify and collaborate with commercial and non-commercial partners
to secure external funding for developments in teaching and learning,
including those identified via Universitas 21
· To contribute to national and international academic publishing and
conferences, including Universitas 21, UCoSDA and SEDA
Qualifications
· Formal education to degree level or equivalent
· A Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education would be an
advantage
Previous experience
· At least 5 years experience of teaching in Higher Education
demonstrating proven expertise in pedagogical issues is desirable
· Work undertaken on an externally funded learning innovation project at
Higher Education level would be an advantage
· Knowledge of the use of web technology for delivering learning and
teaching highly desirable
· Proven ability to work effectively with academic staff is essential
Other essential skills
· Project management skills
· Staff management skills
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Influencing and negotiations skills
· An appreciation of the relationship between teaching and research
LEARNING AND RESEARCH SUPPORT DIVISION
The Learning and Research Support Division of Information Services
supports the teaching, research and learning needs of staff and students of
the University.
The Division's core areas of responsibility include:
· Developing and maintaining links with Faculties and Schools of the
University through heads of budget centres, departmental representatives
and student representatives as appropriate.
· Assessing University, Faculty and School-based information skills and IT
training needs, developing programmes and delivering training sessions to
staff and students.
· Managing and supporting School-based computer networks, servers and
IT equipment.
· Providing operational and departmental support for computer clusters
located within Schools, including maintenance and security of equipment.
· Working with colleagues in Information Services, and with School
representatives in co-ordinating library collection development, including
associated research collections.
· Providing specialist back-up for enquiry and help-desk services delivered
through the Public Services Division of Information Services.
· Assisting Schools with the use of computer-based courseware and the
World Wide Web in support of teaching and learning.
· Undertaking regular advisory clinics to support the information service
needs of academic staff and students.
· Contributing to the preparation of printed and electronic publications in
appropriate subject or service areas.
· Advising Schools on the purchase of computer equipment and software,
on computing installations and server-based services.
· Producing video material to support teaching and research.
· Managing operational and technical support for the University's centrally
bookable teaching space.
· Participating in Information Services projects
ORGANISATION
(See divisional organisation chart).
The Division is organised into a number of functional and discipline-based
teams. Each of the four discipline-based team comprises staff from a
range of library, computing and other information backgrounds.
Team leaders
Each team has a team leader who is responsible for planning and
managing the activities of the team in collaboration with other parts of
Information Services, developing an Information Services strategy and
liaising with Schools over the introduction of new and existing services.
Liaison Librarians
Each team has one or more liaison librarians who are responsible for
providing advice, support and training to a number of Schools with regard to
the development and exploitation of library-based services delivered
through Information Services. He/she advises Schools on the selection of
books and journals and provides training and support on accessing CD-
ROMs, on-line databases and other information services.
Computer Officers
Each team has one or more computer officers who are responsible for
providing advice, support and training to a number of Schools with regard to
the development and exploitation of information technology-based services
delivered through Information Services and maintenance of School's IT
infrastructure including servers, PCs, software and network services.
IT Resource Advisor and Trainer
Each team has an IT Resource Advisor and Trainer who is responsible for
IT training and for developing initiatives in the use of IT to support teaching
and research. He/she prepares and delivers IT training courses for staff
and students both as part of the University's Open Programme and in
response to the specific training requirements of Schools. Assistance is
also given to Schools in the development of Web based services, computer
aided learning and self assessment software in support of their teaching
programme.
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