Edoctus
Not everyone has either the time or resources to undertake lengthy courses to develop new knowledge and skills, or to enhance an existing knowledge-base and skill-set. With this in mind, Edoctus was established to provide professional development and learning opportunities in an intensive workshop and seminar format. In this way, workshop and seminar attendees receive thorough training in a concentrated period of time. Edoctus workshops and seminars vary from one to two days in length - this ensures attendees develop a comprehensive understanding of a topic relatively quickly.
Principles of Teaching and Learning that Underpin Edoctus Workshops and Seminars
Designed by award-winning experts in teaching and learning, Edoctus professional development activities are underpinned by key educational principles. This means that all Edoctus workshops and seminars have clear learning objectives and are designed in a way that has participants' end-goals in mind. The development of each workshop starts by asking, "What are the important skills and knowledge that people need to learn by attending this course?" This question is followed by, "What types of learning opportunities need to be provided to participants to ensure that the relevant skills and knowledge are learned?" These questions then drive the development of the content and activities that align with the learning objectives of each workshop and seminar. At Edoctus, workshops and seminars are built on the teaching and learning principles of:
- Backward design: Goals regarding the acquisition of knowledge and skills are developed BEFORE designing the teaching methods and forms of assessment that are integrated as part of any workshop and seminar. Backward design challenges "traditional" methods of teaching and learning in which "content is king" and the instructor just dumps information onto participants. As a result of adhering to this principle, we ensure that attendees acquire both skills and knowledge that are of value to one's profession and beyond.
- Constructive alignment: All the teaching methods, learning activities, and assessment tasks are connected to workshop and seminar learning objectives and outcomes.
- Supportive and productive learning environment: Workshop and seminar attendees learn far more effectively when the learning environment is designed using strategies that make students feel comfortable to ask questions and express their ideas. It is important that learning environments are characterised by supportive interactions between teacher and student and amongst workshop attendees.
- Collaborative learning and Problem-based learning: Depending upon the topic of the workshop or seminar, attendees engage in collaborative or problem-based learning approaches. These approaches facilitate active learning, such that attendees develop shared understanding of learning materials and engage in inquiry-based learning by working through problems and case studies with others. These types of activities not only enhance the consolidation of knowledge and skills related to the topic, but empower attendees in their role of learners and also foster the development of many skills that are highly valued in academia and industry. These skills include critical analysis, problem-solving, teamwork and communication.
Why Incorporate Principles of Teaching and Learning into our Workshops and Seminars?
At Edoctus, we know what its like to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to attend workshops and seminars that just don't meet expectations. Worse still, there are workshops and seminars where you come away feeling as if you learned very little if anything at all. In these instances, not only do you come away with the impression that attending the event was a waste of time, but it was a waste of money. At Edoctus, we understand this, and so we are committed to developing and providing workshops and seminars that build your capacities. We’re all about ensuring that our workshops and seminars value-add to you, your career and your business. The only way to achieve this is to integrate our specialist knowledge in research methods and relationship science with our understanding of principles of teaching and learning. This ensures that the process of workshop and seminar development integrates methods of acquiring information and skills that meet your professional development requirements in a timely manner.
What Attendees say about Edoctus Workshops and Seminars
Because we adhere to principles of teaching and learning, we've managed to genuinely support the professional development needs of many. To date, we've delivered our Edoctus workshops to hundreds of professionals, academics and graduate students. Here's what some of our attendees have had to say:
"This workshop was terrific! The presenter was very easy to understand and all the content was clearly explained. The workshop was very well paced. The resources provided are very valuable, I am sure I will refer to them often in the future."
"This was a fantastic workshop. The workshop provided a learning environment which was interactive and interesting. This workshop really increased my knowledge and skills. I feel quite confident to apply my new developed skills in my own work and studies."
"This workshop was terrific! The presenter was very easy to understand and all the content was clearly explained. The workshop was very well paced. The resources provided are very valuable, I am sure I will refer to them often in the future."
"This was a fantastic workshop. The workshop provided a learning environment which was interactive and interesting. This workshop really increased my knowledge and skills. I feel quite confident to apply my new developed skills in my own work and studies."
