Foundations of University Learning and Teaching (FULT)

Overview

The Foundations of University Learning and Teaching (FULT) Program at WSU by the Office of PVC Learning and Teaching is designed and structured to offer both knowledge and a supportive communal setting to aid academic staff in cultivating a comprehensive and interconnected competence about the challenges and practices in university education, particularly contextualised within WSU’s vision, values, and strategic framework for Sustaining Success.

FULT participants investigate and engage with the foundational learning theories, principles, and methods pertinent to disciplinary and higher education teaching. Emphasising practical application, the program encourages the discussion and implementation of effective learning and teaching innovations that promote inclusive and active learning with thoughtful incorporation of digital tools into the educational milieu.

Additionally, it serves as an essential introduction for those newly joining the WSU academic community. The FULT Program marks the beginning of WSU’s new academics’ journey to innovate, evaluate and articulate their scholarly teaching practices to positively impact student and career success.

The FULT program is a professional learning program that is compulsory for all new WSU academic staff with teaching responsibilities appointed for more than one year. Those who can provide evidence of equivalent prior learning may be granted exemption.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:

  • Evaluate learning theories best suited to discipline-specific learning and teaching.
  • Identify complex learning issues/challenges relevant to sector-wide, Western’s strategic foci, school, and disciplinary levels.
  • Develop, justify, and evaluate an innovative solution through application of appropriate learning and teaching scholarship to the identified learning challenge(s).
  • Integrate student-centric and inclusive learning and teaching strategies.
  • Demonstrate development of reflective teaching expertise for advancing academic practice.
  • Build an awareness and understanding of Advance HE PSF 2023 for integration within teaching practice.
  • Develop and enact a CPD plan for identified areas of teaching expertise development to advance academic practice.

Program Structure

The program is offered twice a year during Autumn and Spring session and starts with some online activities, followed by three face to face/online workshops. After the workshop, participants undertake a practice-based project which includes aspects of peer review, before submitting a final report.

The next FULT program is the Autumn 2026 FULT and will be delivered in Jan/Feb 2026. Please register your Expression of Interest to be contacted when registration opens for the Autumn 2026 program.

Email the Learning and Teaching team with any queries.

Requirement for Completion

FULT Certificate of Completion requires the engagement with all core components of FULT. This includes attending three mandatory workshops and successfully completing two milestones related to a SoTL Project aligned with relevant Advance HE PSF 2023 dimensions. There are two main milestones associated with the SoTL Project. The mentorship opportunity and elective pathways provide FULT participants to achieve additional learning outcomes aligned with development of skills for effective subject coordination, professional learning for career progression and leadership in learning and teaching.

Exemption from the Program

Exemption from the FULT program may be granted if staff hold a postgraduate qualification in higher education or adult education, or have completed an equivalent teaching development program, or can demonstrate experience and excellence in teaching as evidenced through documentation of their teaching achievements over the last three years.

Staff seeking exemption must contact the Program Coordinator, Dr. Naima Iftikhar, Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), by emailing Learning and Teaching prior to completion of this application.

If you have any additional questions about the FULT program, visit our Program FAQs page (opens in a new window) or contact Learning and Teaching.