The effort pays off: A preliminary report on the evaluation of a teaching skill development program

This subsequent study invited newly appointed staff to participate in a more in depth investigation. Fourteen staff members agreed to take part from two of Massey University's campuses and are being interviewed at three points during the first year of their appointment. The investigation is focusing on their development as teachers and the way in which this development is influenced by participants' experiences throughout the year, with a particular emphasis on the outcomes of participation on the Teaching Skills Development Program.

The results will be compared to the model proposed by Ramsden (1992), in which he suggests there are "three generic ways of understanding the role of the teacher in higher education," (p.111). In particular the project will investigate whether the three theories have, as Ramsden suggests, "a progressive, or hierarchical structure" (p.116).

This paper will present the preliminary results of content and thematic analyses of the interview transcripts relating to changes in the teachers knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices and map these against their involvement in the Teaching Skills Development Program.