The Office for Professional Academic Development (OPAD) supports the continual enhancement of teaching practice to help deliver a high-quality student learning experience. Our programmes and workshops are designed to respect and celebrate the diverse teaching approaches and disciplines across the University.

Our goal is to provide UM academics with practical knowledge and strategies that foster engaging, inclusive, and effective learning environments for students. We do not advocate any single learning theory or methodology. Instead, we aim to empower academics with a broad toolkit of evidence-informed practices that can complement existing teaching styles.

Below is our current range of programmes and workshops available to support your teaching development. Our workshops run from September to July, offering a wide range of training opportunities throughout the academic year.

Academics are encouraged to consult the current training schedule and register for workshops of interest. If a workshop is not currently scheduled, please register your interest on the waiting list so we may notify you when it is offered again.

Programmes

• Foundations of University Teaching & Learning – This semester-long programme of seminars supports academics in developing a comprehensive understanding of university teaching and learning within a collegial environment. The programme offers valuable insights and practical skills to enhance teaching practices for all career stages, providing a solid foundation for new academics and innovative approaches for experienced staff. Offered annually, this programme is a requirement for promotion to Resident Senior Lecturer.
  
  
• Designing, Delivering & Evaluating Online Study-Units - This 9-week fully online asynchronous course helps academics develop, deliver, and assess blended and fully online study-units. Participants will explore effective online teaching strategies, design and reflect on their own learning activities, and gain practical experience with tools such as discussion boards, video-recording, and student activity monitoring. The course begins with a 2-hour in-person session and requires around 6 hours of study per week.

Workshops

Pedagogical Development Workshops

• Embedding Education for Sustainable Development in Study-Units
• Enhancing Teaching: UDL Practices for Impactful Learning
• Exploring Generative AI for Teaching & Assessment

Learning Technologies

• Utilising IT Technology in Learning Spaces (incl. Lecture Capture & Zoom) 
• Getting Started with the VLE
• Compiling Reading Lists Using Leganto
• Enhancing Zoom Lecture Delivery & Student Engagement
• Using Turnitin
• Enhancing Marking & Feedback Practices with Turnitin Feedback Studio
• FLOWmulti Exams in WISEflow: Using the New Authoring Tool
• WISEflow Assessor Training

Other

• Negotiating Professional Boundaries
• Providing Access Arrangements for Students with Disabilities

Wellness Workshops

• Nourish to Flourish: Cultivating Healthy & Sustainable Eating Habits
• Revitalise your Routine:  Simple Strategies for a Healthier Work-Life Balance

As OPAD expands its programmes to meet the evolving needs of UM academics, we welcome feedback and suggestions on how we can further strengthen our teaching development initiatives. Please send your suggestions to opad@um.edu.mt.