The Certificate Programme of the Section for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

The certificate programme of the Section for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education consists of three modules that result in 160 work units (AE). It takes about one to one and a half year to complete the certificate program. A new program cycle starts at the beginning of each semester. The programme primarily addresses junior scientists with a teaching position at the University of Göttingen; more experienced lecturers are welcome as well.

The certificate programme is usually conducted in german. If you are interested in participating at this programme please don't hesitate to contact us: hochschuldidaktik@zvw.uni-goettingen.de. Furthermore you are welcome to have a look at our open workshop programme in which we offer some english workshops regulary.


The objectives of the programme are to introduce and critically reflect central ideas and methods of teaching and learning in higher education, to support the participants to develop their teaching skills further and to facilitate the transfer between theory and real life.
Within the certificate programme, we work in interdisciplinary groups of no more than 12 people and in various settings (e.g. workshops, collegial sit-ins). The groups pass the certificate programme together.


Description of the modules

  • Module 1: During the first module (54 work units) the participants are being introduced to basic theories and concepts of academic (and adult) teaching and learning. Based on these, each participant (re)evaluates her or his understanding of learning in higher education and critically reflects the teaching philosophy that evokes this understanding. Additionally, the participants get to know, experience, and reflect ways to facilitate (academic) learning (esp. methods to engage students and ways to communicate & present during lectures and seminars).
  • Module 2: In the second module (54 work units) the participants expand and refine their knowledge on academic teaching and learning. Based on the topics and action of the first module, here the participants acquire competencies on assessing and consulting students. Furthermore, each person may choose one additional workshop based on her or his own interest and needs. Since this module also fosters the connection between the certificate program and the real teaching experiences, it includes a collegial sitting-in as well as critical friend meetings to discuss challenges faced during the teaching semester.
  • Module 3: While the first two modules are being organized as group- and situation-oriented trainings, the third module (32 work units) focusses on the individual transfer. This includes the reflection on one's own teaching believes and teaching practices and its documentation in form of a teaching portfolio.



University Didactics Certificate (160 Arbeitseinheiten)

The participation fee for the university didactics certificate program is 600 euros.
Clicking on a program element field opens a window with additional information.

The Certificate in University Didactics PLUS (ZP PLUS) is aimed at graduates of the Certificate in University Didactics who wish to systematically and individually expand their acquired knowledge and developed teaching skills. The extension serves in particular to innovate teaching practice through a specific teaching project and its documentation and reflection in the project report. It can be started at a time of your choice. The Certificate in University Didactics PLUS is recognized as a state certificate for university teaching in Lower Saxony. If you are interested, please contact matthias.wiemer@zvw.uni-goettingen.de.

Certificate in University Didactics PLUS (80 work units)

The participation fee for the University Didactics PLUS certificate program is 250 euros.
Clicking on a program element field opens a window with additional information.

Modulbeschreibungen

Module 1: Fundamentals of teaching and learning (68 AE)

Module 2: Topic-specific extension (42 AE)

Module 3: Transfer to everyday teaching (50 AE)

Module 4: Advanced module (80 AE)


General information

  • Workshop leader: All workshops in the certificate program are conducted by members of the University Didactics team in various tandem constellations.
  • Participation: Participation in the kick-off and Teaching and Learning 1 workshop is a prerequisite for participation in the program. If you are unable to attend a workshop from areas B, C, D or E for scheduling reasons, it is possible to substitute it with a similar offer from our open workshop program after consultation with the University Didactics team.
  • Scope: The scope of an element is specified in units of work (AE), with 45 minutes estimated for one AE. Please note that the workshops usually consist of a combination of contact time (face-to-face or online) and self-study phases (individually or as a subgroup). The self-study phases can also take place beforehand.
  • Teaching: In order to participate in the certificate program, you must be actively involved in teaching in at least one of the two program semesters. This is not only because one element of the program is reciprocal peer observation (see above), but also because the workshops - and in particular the assignments for the self-study phases - always make reference to your current teaching practice.