A Study On Staff Development In UK

The concept of Staff Development is related to the quality of higher education and reform of higher education closely. Staff Development (referred to as SD) concept, broadly speaking, is a complex process aimed to improving the teaching skills and development potential of all teacher practice; but in a narrow perspective, SD mainly refers to the development of teaching ability.The theory of Staff Development was founded firstly in 1960th and 1970th, and then the study of Staff Development has become more and more serious for researchers and practitioners in higher education. While adapting to the social changes, higher education has undergoing its owns changes and reform. In order to better adapt to society, universities and university staffs have reform and development constantly. British universities also followed such global trend and are seeking their own reform continually, which makes the constant attention to Staff Development in British Universities. Although the Staff Development in British Universities have obvious characteristics and the effective results, specialists and researchers have little works on this field in China. This paper aims to study the problem of Staff Development in British Universities systemly and deeply. In order to achieve this final goal, this paper has the five parts followingly:Chapter one: Theories of Staff Development. This part analyses the four kinds of Staff Development. Specifically, they are William H. Bergquist and Steven R.Phillips'theory, Jerry Gaff's theory, the new theories which are created by William H. Bergquist and Boyer's Thought of"Scholarship of Teaching".Chapter two: The realationship between social change, higher education reform and Staff Development.This part analyses two aspects of factors of Staff Development, including social and educational aspects. Specifically, the social aspect includes globalization, marketing and demographic factors; the educational aspect includes life-long education, commercialization of higher education, quality of higher education. The two aspects of factors influence the Staff Development together. Chapter three: Historical development and status quo of Staff Development in British Universities. Firsty, this part explores the historical development of higher education and Staff Development in British Universities. Secondly, it explores the status quo of higher education and Staff Development in British Universities.Chapter four: A Case study of Staff Development in British Universities, specifically a case study of Staff Development in University of London. Firstly, this part introduces the situation of University of London. Secondly, it introduces the Istitutation of Staff Development in University of London: Teaching Development Cente, especially annual assessment program for teachers, equality awareness training, computer skills training and health and safety training.Chapter five: Implications and assessment of Staff Development in British Universities.