The document discusses the Professional Standards Framework (PSF), which is a framework used in UK higher education to benchmark approaches to professional development of teaching staff. The PSF has several dimensions that define core knowledge and professional values in teaching. It includes descriptors that are equivalent to different levels of qualifications. Universities can use the PSF to align professional development programs, inform hiring and promotion criteria, and gain accreditation. The framework is flexible and intended to enhance the professionalism and quality of teaching. A consultation found broad support for the idea of establishing teaching qualifications in a transparent manner.

1. Raj Dhimar
Professional Standards Framework

2. 2
Objectives
• Explore your interests and expectations of the
PSF
• Provide opportunities for you to interpret and
engage with the PSF
• Understand the dimensions and descriptors
• Consider the PSF’s potential uses and
implications to higher education providers
• Identifying future needs for Thailand higher
education in the context of professional
standards for teaching and supporting learning

3. “Qualifications” for University Lecturers?
• Dearing (1997) - enhancing professionalism of HE
teaching
• Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher
Education - membership organisation
• The Higher Education Academy - subscription
organisation
• Higher Education Statistics Agency - staff profiles
External Drivers- historic and current
3

4. • PSF provides set of
descriptors, developed with the
sector, against which institutions
can benchmark their approaches
to the professional development
of staff.
• Sector-owned, managed by the
HEA.
• Offers universities and colleges
criteria which support the initial
and continuing professional
development for staff who teach
and support student learning.
• Flexible framework that is
adaptable to the needs of the
individual and of the institution.
• Many institutions use the PSF and
seek external validation of their
approaches to professional
development against the
framework. The HEA alone
accredits over 400 provision in
over130 HEIs across the UK.
• Not mandatory. There are other
routes to accreditation too, which the
HEA welcomes.
• Has potential to be a key indicator
of UK HE’s ongoing commitment
to teaching, as well as giving
confidence that minimum
threshold standards have been
met by academic staff.
4
Professional Standards Framework

5. A framework for HEIs to:
• Align initial and continuing professional
development provision for all staff involved in
teaching and supporting learning in Higher
Education
• Inform progression, promotion and reward criteria
Comprises :
Dimensions (Areas of Activity, Core Knowledge
and Professional Values)
Descriptors (D1, 2, 3 and 4) equivalent to
Associate Fellow, Fellow, Senior Fellow and
The PSF
5

6. 6
The
Dimensions
Areas of Activity
Undertaken by
teachers and
supporters of learning
within higher education
Core Knowledge
Needed to carry out
those activities
appropriately
Professional Values
the manner in which
teaching professionals
should perform and
carry out their learning
and teaching activities

7. Design & plan (A1)
Teach/support
learning (A2)
Assess & feedback (A3)
Evaluate
& Develop (A5)
Environment
Support
Guidance
(A4)
The Areas of Activity
7

8. Uses of the Framework (1)
Gain recognition for
your own teaching and
learning support
activities
Plan and guide your
own Continuing
Professional
Development in the
area of teaching and
learning
Promote the
professionalisation of
teaching and learning
support within Higher
Education

9. Uses of the Framework (2)
Foster creative and
innovative approaches
to teaching and learning
Enable staff to gain
recognition and reward
for developing their
capabilities as teachers
and supporters of
learning
Gain Academy
accreditation for
education development
programmes and CPD
schemes

10. Uses of the Framework (3)
Enhance the quality and
prominence of teaching
and learning activities
Facilitate and support the
design and delivery of
initial and continuing
education development
programmes and activities
Demonstrate to students
and other stakeholders the
professionalism that staff
and institutions brings to
teaching and support for
student learning

11. Professional Standards Framework consultation
11
What does the teaching community
think?
HEA , (2011), PSF consultation, recognising excellence in teaching and
learning
Broad general support for the
idea that those who teach in HE
should be appropriately qualified
Strong support (66%) for
transparency of public
information in relation to teaching
qualifications and fellowships
Strong support (89%) for
collaboration between the HEA
and relevant professional bodies
in relation to the alignment of
standards providing this was
limited, targeted and not overly
resource-intensive

12. a) Explore the PSF. How do you interpret it?
What are the distinctions between the
Descriptors?
b) How might you and your institutions be able to
interpret the dimensions?
c) What might be the implications of developing
and implementing a PSF for teaching and
supporting learning in Thailand higher 12
Activity

13. To find out more
13
About the Professional
Standards Framework
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/uk
psf
About Professional Recognition
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/pr
ofessional-recognition
About Accreditation
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ac
creditation