Abstract:
Pedagogical competence is not always part of the skills set of science
educators at research intensive universities. Thus, the Academic Developer
(AD) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) at the
University of Pretoria makes use of the Pedagogical Competence Model in
order to help develop lecturers’ pedagogical competence. The overall aim of
the study is to support lecturers to have a clear focus on student learning;
assist them to development their pedagogical skills over time; and to adopt a
scholarly approach to teaching and learning. Peer reviews are compulsory
for probation candidates (newly appointed) as well as staff applying for
promotion. In 2017 a total of 58 lecturers were reviewed by the AD, and 26
of these lecturers completed an online questionnaire that was intended to
establish the influence the AD’s reviews had on their teaching practices.
Subsequently interventions were planned aligned to the perceived needs for
development. The project is still in progress, but results from the 538
members who already received training during 2018 indicate improved
understanding of student learning and great appreciation for the support.
