For your information
A new text from Garland Studies in Higher Education, Volume 13, titled
University Teaching: International Perspectives
Forest, James J. F., ed. (1998) New York: Garland Publishing, Inc.
ISBN 0-8153-2460-X
from the Introduction: The purpose of the collection of essays and case studies is to address the question of what is going on in university teaching worldwide. It presents a diverse set of perspectives on the many dimensions of university and college teaching, including preparation, assessment, reward, and the cultural and social influences that reside within each of these dimensions. A main concern is to provoke the reader to observe the many commonalities in the thinking and approaches towards college teaching that pervade higher education systems worldwide.
This text includes a chapter pertinent to setting up new staff development programs:
"ACADEMIC STAFF DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA:
THE BOTSWANA MODEL"
by Michael J. Herrick, Chapter 10, pp. 237-258.
The Higher Education Development Unit of the University of Botswana has become successful but not without difficulties facing every newly-established academic staff development center. This chapter describes the model that was derived in a university of approximately 5,000 students and 500 academic staff in Botswana, Southern Africa, and summarizes (1) the establishment of a presence in the university, (2) the development of attractive programs, (3) the persuasion of individuals to participate, (4) the writing of university policy, and (5) some possibilities to enhance this model. It surveys problems facing university teaching in the developing world with reference to various professional staff development endeavors in Southern African and provides an extensive 1990's bibliography on university teaching development. Its conclusion is that scholarship is enhanced by promoting staff development. If academics realize their full potential by becoming confident and competent, there will be increased self-esteem, more job satisfaction, enhanced reputation both for the teacher and the university and, essentially, much more learning for students.
Michael Herrick
mherrick@carib-link.net
(868) 628-5626