Academic Programme and Digital Learning Lead

Job title:

Academic Programme and Digital Learning Lead

Department/Faculty:

Department for Health
Faculty of Humanities & Social Science

Responsible to:

Head of Department

Grade:

8

Location:

Claverton Down Campus

Job purpose
This is a new post, and the Academic Programme and Digital Learning Lead (APDLL)
will have a dual purpose:
1) To make a significant contribution to the day to day management of three distance
learning programmes: MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine, MSc Sports
Physiotherapy, and a new MSc in Football Medicine in association with FIFA.
Working in partnership with the Director of Studies for each programme, the
APDLL will act as a key contact for students, provide support to clinical tutors and
Professional Development Advisors, and work with the programme administrators
to ensure positive student experience and smooth transition and support through

the programme.
2) To lead the use, review and enhancement of learning technologies in teaching and
learning on our three distance learning programmes. This will involve driving the
implementation of innovative teaching and assessment methods using technology
enhanced learning across the programmes, providing support and advice to
clinical and academic teaching staff on digital scholarship, and working directly
with others to support the development of unit, and programme-wide virtual
learning platforms (including content production and media). Support for
professional development in technology enhanced learning will be provided, and
the APDLL will be expected to work closely with the central University Centre for
Learning and Teaching, which provides a network of learning technologists from
whom to share good practice and learn about new developments that can be
brought to the programmes.
The three programmes are delivered through blended learning, with teaching being
delivered primarily online alongside annual face to face residential teaching weeks,
and clinical assessments. The post will require depth of understanding of current best
practice in postgraduate medical education, and will have a fundamental role in the
success of our programmes, and in ensuring they keep pace with technological
advances.
The workload required by the dual roles may vary over time. Some contribution to
teaching and assessment may also be expected when this can be accommodated
within the workload.

Source and nature of management provided
Director of Teaching


Staff management responsibility
N/A
Special conditions

The post-holder will be required to meet tight deadlines.
The post holder will ensure full compliance with all University policies and guidelines.

Main duties and responsibilities
Programme management
1

Work closely with the Directors of Studies and Clinical Directors of the
Department for Health’s distance learning programmes to co-ordinate and
manage the development and delivery of teaching.

2

Provide management and administrative support to the programmes,
including attending meetings, unit and programme boards, report writing and
monitoring of engagement.

3

4

5

Take a lead on providing effective and timely communication with staff and
students enrolled in the Department for Health’s distance learning
postgraduate education programmes.
Ensure that the timely recruitment and induction of PDAs takes place, that
PDAs are matched with mentors from among the clinical team, and monitor
PDA engagement with students and units.
Oversee the timely enrolment of students onto relevant units, monitor and

troubleshoot student progression, co-ordinate and communicate assessment
and moderation deadlines to staff and students.

7

Assist with the organisation of residential teaching weeks and exams as
required.

8

Develop and lead the implementation of suitable Induction programmes for
students, PDAs and new clinical tutors

Technology enhanced learning support
9

Take a lead in developing plans for ongoing curriculum review and
development.

10

Be proactive in identifying issues and barriers to the successful development
and operation of the on-line provision, and develop and operationalise
appropriate mitigation strategies.

11

Liaise with the University’s Technology Enhanced Learning team (TEL) to
ensure effective provision of up to date e-learning resources and support for

staff and students on our distance learning programmes.
12

Leadership in developing efficient e-assessment solutions for digital
assessment (including video and audio, related to clinical exams), and
showcase new pedagogical approaches and digital skills to using technology
in teaching and learning

13

Provide one-to-one guidance to staff and students, in the context of their
wider TEL skills development

14

Bring knowledge and experience to the improvement of online learning
delivery on our distance learning programmes.

15

Be adaptive and responsive to the dynamics of demand in the online
provision

Teaching
Prepare and deliver lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes and online
learning activities – as appropriate to the department and discipline - on a
defined, specific and sometimes specialist subject (either undergraduate or
postgraduate), with associated assessments, within an existing course
framework.

Includes preparing teaching materials, communicating subject matter clearly,
supporting students’ studies and encouraging debate to develop rational
thinking as appropriate to the unit being taught.
16. Participate in the review of undergraduate and taught postgraduate units and
programmes and contribute to the review and updating of programmes as
appropriate within the Department/School.
17. Supervise the project work of undergraduate students and Masters project
students, where appropriate.
18. Take responsibility for setting and assessment of coursework and
examinations, including marking and providing written/oral feedback across
all years of the programmes.
19. Carry out course evaluation including facilitating student feedback, reflecting
on own teaching design and delivery and implementing ideas for improving
own performance in line with University and Department policy.
20. Deal with student queries about the content and delivery of a unit as well as
providing advice and ideas to them where necessary.
21. Co-ordinate the work of teaching assistants and professional development
advisors (PDAs), where applicable.
22. Plan and prioritise own work and forward plan for teaching.
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as
reasonably required by your line manager. You are required to follow all University
policies and procedures at all times and take account of University guidance


Person Specification
Criteria: Qualifications and Training
PhD in a relevant subject or some relevant academic teaching
experience or relevant professional knowledge

x

UG degree or equivalent level qualification or equivalent
professional expertise

x

Higher education teaching qualification or professional
recognition (e.g. PGCert, FHEA or equivalent)
Criteria: Knowledge and Experience

x
Essential

A background in a postgraduate education applied to health
care professionals

x

Experience of managing academic development projects

x

Experience of successfully following QA procedures in Higher
Education

x

Excellent knowledge and application of Standard IT packages

x

Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams

x

Experience in a higher education environment working with
postgraduate students

x

Experience in the use of virtual learning environments and in
the use of technology to support learners.

x

Sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to contribute to
course development and scholarship activities

x

Demonstrates good teaching technique

x

Capable of
frameworks

context

setting

and

handling

Desirable

conceptual

Criteria: Skills and Aptitudes

Excellent interpersonal skills used for developing and
sustaining productive working relationships with internal and
external colleagues.

x
Essential

x

Desirable


Advanced computer and software skills, including MS Office
and web-based suites

x

Ability to motivate and enthuse team members and students

x

Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a
team

x

Ability to think strategically and to contribute to strategic
direction

x

Personal drive and desire to achieve excellent results

x

Good understanding of on-line programme delivery, the
process of online programme development and the challenges
this presents.

x

Excellent organisational skills, including ability to prioritise own
work

x

Willing to work flexibly, and to progress multiple strands of
work in parallel

x

Ability to assess and market student coursework and provide
feedback

x

Ability to recognise those having difficulties, intervene and
provide help and support

x

Self-motivated

x