This is the ILT's August news briefing. It may be freely circulated or
published. Please pass it on to anyone within your own organisation who
might be interested.

Andrea L. T. Rayner
Assistant Director: External Relations
Institute for Learning and Teaching (ILT)
Learning and Teaching Support Network (LTSN)
Direct line: 01904 434025
Direct email: [log in to unmask]
Websites:
http://www.ilt.ac.uk
http://www.ltsn.ac.uk

AUGUST 2001 BRIEFING FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING (ILT)

* There has been a significant increase in the volume of applications
to join the ILT, which are currently being received at the rate of 200 per
week. At the beginning of August membership numbers stood at 5,800 and a
total of 7,300 applications had been received. Over 1,000 applications have
been received since 1 July. The ILT passed its September 2001 target of
5,280 accepted members in June.
* On 10 July 20 lecturers from universities and colleges across
England were awarded National Teaching Fellowships worth £50,000 in
recognition of their excellence in teaching. The winners were presented with
their awards by the new Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education,
the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge, at a ceremony in London. The National Teaching
Fellowship Scheme, launched in 2000, is part of an overall programme to
raise the status of teaching and learning in higher education. The scheme is
managed by the ILT on behalf of the Higher Education Funding Council for
England and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) in Northern
Ireland, who have asked the ILT to administer it for a further year.
* The Initial Entry for Experienced Staff (IEES) route to ILT
membership, which was due to end in its present form at the end of September
2001, has been extended until July 2002. The IEES route has proved extremely
popular, with more than half of the total number of applications being made
via this route. Work on a replacement route has been taking place over the
last year but initial consultations with accreditors, members and others
indicates a great deal of support for this application method. A
consultation document on the future of this route will be circulated in the
autumn.
* The ILT has concluded an agreement with the Central Council for
Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) whereby holders of the CCETSW
Practice Teaching Award are immediately eligible to join the ILT. CCETSW is
a statutory body that approves programmes of education and training and
promotes quality social care and social work in the UK. Anyone who has
completed this award after September 1997 may apply directly for ILT
membership.
* The ILT's second Annual Conference, held at the University of York
from 4-6 July, was attended by over 350 delegates who participated in over
100 working sessions. Keynote plenary sessions were given by Professor
Brenda Smith of the LTSN Generic Centre, Dr Keith Trigwell of the Institute
for the Advancement of University Learning at the University of Oxford and
Professor Ian Scott of the Centre for HE Development at the University of
Cape Town. Feedback received has generally been very positive, with 80% of
delegates commenting that the Conference represented good or excellent value
for money. Bookings are already being taken for next year's Conference.
* The first book in the ILT's Effective Learning and Teaching series
was launched at the Conference. The series is published by Kogan Page in
association with the ILT and the Times Higher Education Supplement. The
first title in a planned series of 24 to be published over the next five
years is Effective Learning and Teaching in Business and Management.
* The ILT has launched a new scheme for its members offering grants of
up to £1,000 for individuals or small groups to 'make a difference' in
activities such as networking, publication or dissemination in relation to
learning and teaching in higher education.
* The ILT will hold its Annual General Meeting on 27 September in
London. The AGM will be preceded by a symposium on Widening Participation
and Promoting Student Retention.