Online professional development for academic staff: Putting the curriculum first

Developments in using learning technology in Higher Education can often be technology driven. The Learning Methods Unit (LMU) at University of Central England (UCE) in Birmingham has adopted a curriculum-based approach to incorporating learning technology into professional development courses for university staff. Using sound pedagogical principles, a variety of technologies have been implemented to add value to the Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Professional Development course based on a hybrid curriculum model. The 'Problems at Crumpton' website uses technology to implement a problem-centred curriculum, enabling experiential learning methods, and yet structuring an underpinning knowledge base more akin to an objectives based curriculum. The site was first demonstrated as an exemplar within the university in the summer of 1999, and will be used both on professional development programmes and on an open access basis by university staff from 2000.