Lethbridge Polytechnic demonstrates an ongoing commitment to advancing excellence in teaching and learning. The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is an important resource developed through collaboration with Lethbridge Polytechnic instructors. The TEF supports instructors as they seek out opportunities to engage in continuous professional development and lifelong learning to improve their teaching practice and benefit student learning.
The purpose of the TEF is to
Six dimensions make up the heart of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Think of the dimensions as the “big ideas” that shape the types of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that instructors at Lethbridge Polytechnic are encouraged to develop.
Each dimension contains focus areas that help point instructors to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes deemed necessary to support their teaching practice.
The Learning Environment dimension describes how instructors foster a supportive, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for all learners.
The Instructional Skills dimension describes how instructors plan, develop, reflect on, and revise a variety of teaching methods to facilitate learning for all students.
The Course & Curriculum Design dimension describes how instructors design, revise, and keep courses up to date, given the larger frames of program curriculum and the needs of diverse learners.
The Assessment & Evaluation dimension describes how instructors assess and evaluate student learning while considering institutional policies and procedures.
The Subject-matter Expertise dimension describes how instructors remain current within their respective fields, professions, and/or industries and how they share their expertise for the benefit of student learning, institutional improvement, and applied research initiatives.
The Scholarly Teaching & Scholarship dimension describes how instructors engage in the practice of scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) to reflect on their teaching practice, teaching philosophy, and research interests for the benefit of student learning.
The TEF empowers instructors to tailor their professional development based on their unique teaching contexts. Instructors are encouraged to use the TEF as a source of inspiration to identify growth opportunities and enhance existing strengths.
The TEF provides sample indicators within each focus area to illustrate practical application in teaching. These indicators help instructors assess their current skills and identify areas for development through three levels of progress: Involved, Engaged, and Leading.
Future enhancements to the TEF will include tools for self-assessment within the framework and integration with existing professional development resources at Lethbridge Polytechnic.
For detailed information and practice indicators, click on the links above.
Click on each dimension above for more information and indicators of effective practice.
Meet with someone from CTLI to discuss implementing the TEF dimensions into your teaching and learning context.
Located on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Lethbridge Polytechnic is committed to honouring the land from a place of knowing. We honour the Siksikaitsitapi as both the traditional and current Land Keepers of this area, and we welcome all First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Indigenous peoples who call Blackfoot territory their home.
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