The National Forum’s open-access professional development short course ‘Getting Started with Professional Development – PACT’ is an exciting new opportunity for anyone who teaches in Irish higher education to receive recognition, in the form of a digital badge, for their commitment to engagement in professional development. The PACT course is now available fully online through the National Forum’s new VLE platform.
What is involved?
To complete the course and gain the nationally-recognised digital badge, you will need to commit to a total of 25 learner hours, spread over six weeks. The course will start with a lunchtime webinar at 12.30-1.30 on Wednesday, 27 March. During this webinar you will meet the facilitators who will outline how the course will be supported over the following six weeks. You will be given activities to complete during the week and every Wednesday between 12.30 and 13:30 a webinar will take place to reflect on the week’s activities and introduce the topics for the following week.
Some activities will be completed individually but many will require online collaboration with other participants. You will form peer groups to support each other on your journey to achieve the PACT badge.
There is no need to worry if you have never used the online tools before, facilitators will be on hand with tips and support throughout the course.
The final webinar will be held on Wednesday, 8 May, after which you will complete the course, in collaboration with your peer group, and achieve the nationally-recognised digital badge.
How can I become a facilitator?
If you would like to become a facilitator for this course, to run it in your own institution, a further commitment of five learner hours will be required, in addition to attendance at two extra webinars, on Thursday, 18 April and Thursday, 9 May at 12.30 to 1.30pm. If you have already completed the PACT badge, you can sign up just to complete the facilitator course. However, you cannot become a facilitator without first completing the PACT badge.
How do I sign up?
To register for the upcoming PACT course, as a participant, a facilitator, or both, please click here.
Important Dates:
Introduction Webinar 1: 12.30-13.30 on Wednesday, 27 March
Webinar 1: 12.30-13.30 on Wednesday, 3 April
Webinar 2: 12.30-13.30 on Wednesday, 10 April
Webinar 3: 12.30-13.30 on Wednesday, 17 April
Facilitator Webinar 1: 12.30-13.30 on Thursday, 18 April
Webinar 4: 12.30-13.30 on Wednesday, 24 April
Webinar 5: 12.30-13.30 on Wednesday, 1 May
Webinar 6: 12.30-13.30 on Wednesday, 8 May
Facilitator Webinar 2: 12.30-13.30 on Thursday, 9 May
