Learning and Teaching at Herts
Our vision as a university is that all our students, whatever their background, can achieve their full potential and go on to have great careers.
We are a campus-based university but the world in which we're living, and the complex lives of our diverse student community, demand a flexible approach to how we teach and support learning.
We aim to inspire and build excellence in learning and teaching by leading the development of excellent educational experiences for all our students; supporting our staff to become expert educators in their field; and sharing what is possible with others in the wider community. Our work is aligned across a number of key areas and connected by our overall commitment to transforming lives.
Herts Learning
We have spent time as a community of staff and students from all Schools of study to capture the wisdom of our collective experience in the last couple of years. From these hundreds of conversations, we’ve distilled five key principles which define our approach to learning and teaching and thread through all that we do. These are our Herts Learning Principles, and they ensure that every programme of study:
- Prioritises student learning.
- Ensures coherent design.
- Offers opportunities for personalisation.
- Harnesses technology.
- Builds communities.
We work in partnership with academic Schools to support curriculum design and ensure these principles along with our Graduate Attributes are embedded within every programme.
Continuing Professional Development
We provide support for staff throughout their academic careers to become excellent educators including initial opportunities to gain a teaching qualification and then continuing support to enhance and recognise their learning and teaching expertise. We also support staff applying for external recognition such as the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme. Working across the University we drive innovation and the dissemination and sharing of good practices in learning and teaching. We also support our partner organisations both in the UK and internationally through bespoke staff development and support.
Technology Enhanced Learning
We work closely with academic Schools and professional teams within the University to advise on and facilitate the adoption of learning technologies, enabling localised innovation as well as wide-scale implementation. Our expertise supports flexible and blended approaches to learning including the use of technology in the classroom, mobile learning, online distance learning programmes and degree apprenticeship programmes appropriate for both employers and their employees wishing to study whilst working.
Excellent Outcomes for all
Through our Widening Access and Student Success work we support the transition, retention and engagement of all students considering university, as well as entering and studying at Herts. We work within our local school community network to support student-centred initiatives, workshops and summer schools that strive to raise attainment and support success for pre-entry students. Our Student Success team ensures students from under-represented and disadvantaged groups have positive outcomes and a level playing field to achieve success once they join us at Herts. For academic support and coaching, Herts Academic Skills provide resources and expertise to ensure that all students have opportunities to reach their academic potential. We provide help and tuition for individuals, or groups of students, in academic writing skills, reading and research, English language development, and the wider range of attributes needed for successful outcomes, such as organisation, confidence, communication skills and time management.
