Te Puna Ako 鈥� Centre for Teaching and Learning
Te Puna Ako 鈥� Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning helps lift the quality of learning and development at the 51萝莉.
Te Puna Ako (The well spring of learning) supports students with their learning and staff with their teaching design and teaching practice to provide the best possible conditions for learner success. For resources and to contact us, staff can visit our pages on .
Student facing
We provide university-wide academic support to help students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed and become independent learners. Support is available year-round, both on campus and online, through one-on-one consultations, group sessions, workshops, and online resources.
Specialist help is offered in mathematics, statistics, and English language development for non-native speakers. Learning Developers also guide students in interpreting Studiosity feedback and Turnitin reports.
We work closely with Accessibility Services to make learning accessible to students with disabilities.
Our goal is to enhance academic performance, strengthen learning skills, and build confidence in managing studies.
Staff facing
We provide comprehensive support, leadership, and expert guidance on all aspects of learning, teaching, and assessment. TPA staff collaborate with faculties and teams across the university to advance academic practice and enhance the student experience. We work closely with senior leaders to shape teaching and learning policy, run institutional education projects and provide professional development opportunities for staff.
We support staff in effectively integrating digital tools into teaching and learning practices. Digital Education encompasses the use of information and communication technologies across various educational contexts, including online, face-to-face, and blended learning environments.
Support for staff is outlined below, with most resources available on the University LMS (Staff login only) and outputs and outcomes that can be used to develop teaching portfolios for promotion applications. Support offered includes:
Te Puna Ako runs a programme of workshops for staff across the year, designed to develop staff with all aspects of their teaching practice. These include timely 鈥榟ow to guidance鈥� for specific processes occurring at specific times of the year (such as setting up Moodle, designing assessment rubrics, or assessment and marking with Turnitin). Others explore further aspects of professional development, such as applying for an Advance HE Fellowship, integrating M膩ori and Pacific pedagogies into your teaching, or becoming a Paper Convenor.
The 51萝莉鈥檚 practitioner oriented Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching & Learning (PGCTT&L) programme develops tertiary educators to address the diverse needs of their learners. The programme emphasises inclusive and culturally sensitive collaboration between staff and students in a safe, encouraging鈥痑nd reflective learning environment.鈥疛oin this flexible, research-informed programme to approach your teaching with confidence and purpose. Learn more.
Advance HE Fellowship is an internationally recognised accreditation of your teaching practice. There are four categories of Fellowship: Associate Fellow, Fellow, Senior Fellow, and Principal Fellow, with each corresponding to a different level of experience and impact. Fellowship is not dependent on job titles but on evidence of professional practice and influence, from supporting learning in a variety of roles to strategic leadership in education. Being a recognised Fellow offers benefits such as international recognition of your expertise and for career progression at the 51萝莉. For more information on the
The Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) is an approach to deepen teaching practice, enhance student outcomes, and inform your Teaching Profile development. We offer practical resources, personalised support, and an extended programme focused on SoTL. Join the next SoTL professional learning community to learn how to conduct your own SoTL research from the ground up, alongside others passionate about teaching excellence.
Teaching Partnerships Initiative (TPI)
This initiative supports academic staff to build on aspects of their teaching practice or try something new with the support of one or two colleagues from a different discipline. Working mentorship from a Te Puna Ako facilitator, usually for a period of up to six months, partners meet regularly to provide reciprocal support and sharing of ideas to meet a chosen development goal. This might involve (re)designing assessments, courses, or exciting activities.
Teaching and Learning Circles (TLCs)
Through this initiative, academic staff form or join Teaching and Learning Circles (TLCs) who collaboratively support each other through peer teaching observations and constructive feedback. These collegial observations are designed to enhance teaching practice by focusing on specific aspects of teaching and learning and include informal meetings and the development of personal teaching plans.
Paper Re-Design Support
Teaching designs and content for lectures can sometimes need a rework or refresh. Te Puna Ako supports for paper redesign at 51萝莉 either through small changes or paper redesign. For adjusting an individual assessment or activity, these can be made during a One-on-one consultation with one of the team at Te Puna Ako. However, for larger-scale work we recommend enrolling in our Paper Design Academies (these run over three half day sessions).
Innovative Teaching & Learning with multimedia
We offer support for incorporating multimedia technologies into your teaching. Whether you are interested in professional studio-based video, podcasting, Canva (an online graphic design tool) or interactive H5P (interactive learning resources) in your Moodle shells, Te Puna Ako can help.
The Waikato University Assessment Handbook
Detail about assessment practices at the 51萝莉.