Education Development Toolkit

Themes overview

In this section of the toolkit, you will find the three core themes which underpin all of learning and teaching in Cardiff University: inclusivity, sustainability, and employability.

Inclusivity is central to providing learning that is meaningful, relevant and accessible to all. It is a core part of a thriving university and recognises that every member of our community brings unique experiences, identities and perspectives that enrich our shared learning. This theme has 4 subsections: Introduction to Inclusive Education, Fostering a Sense of Belonging, Empowering Students to Fulfil their Potential, and Developing Inclusive Mindsets. These sections are explained in relation to the Inclusive Education Framework, which you will find in the Introduction to Inclusive Education section. If you are new to teaching or to inclusive education you may wish to start with the Introduction,

Employability is led by the Student Futures team, and aims to support the development of students’ skills and competencies for their future. In this theme you will find advice, guidance and resources that will enable you to achieve the desired goal for your programme or module. Mirroring the working and collaborative process for revalidation, we have divided our resource and guidance into the following categories: Student Futures Framework, Graduate Attributes, Programme Approval and Revalidation (PAR) and Embedding Employability in the Curriculum.

Sustainability is a broad concept that goes beyond just environmental issues. It refers to how universities operate, teach, and contribute to society in ways that are environmentally responsible, socially fair, and economically viable for the long term. ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (ESD) has largely taken the place of traditional environmental education in policies and academic discussions. Unlike environmental education, which is more focused on nature and ecosystems (eco-centric), ESD takes a holistic approach that focuses on human well-being, including issues such as poverty and social inequality. In our Sustainability theme pages you can learn more about the definitions and practices of ESD, and read a number of Cardiff University Case Studies which embed ESD.

Further Learning

You will also find these themes embedded throughout each of the other sections of the toolkit, in relation to design, teaching approaches, assessment and feedback, and collaboration.

For Cardiff University staff: you can develop your understanding of these themes, by attending our Associate Fellow, Fellow or Senior Fellow programmes. Sign up on our Fellowships page.

You can also engage with our workshops related to each of the themes, which are listed on the CPD Programme intranet page. These workshops are available asynchronously, to take in your own time, and most can be followed by a live workshop (with enough demand), a 1:1 meeting with the lead, or a bespoke workshop for your team or Schol, to discuss application to your practice.

Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2024)

These themes are linked to the PSF 2024 in consideration of V1: Respecting individual learners and groups of learners, and V2: promoting engagement in learning and equity of opportunity, and the overall requirements for demonstration of ‘Effective and inclusive practice’. Sustainability and Employability also relate to V4: responding to the wider context, and K5 requirements for Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement.

ProfessionalValues In your context, show how you: V1 respect individual learners and diverse groups of learners V2 promote engagement in learning and equity of opportunity for all to reach their potential V3 use scholarship, or research, or professional learning, or other evidence-informed approaches as a basis for effective practice V4 respond to the wider context in which higher education operates, recognising implications for practice V5 collaborate with others to enhance practice Core Knowledge In your context, apply knowledge of: K1 how learners learn, generally and within specific subjects K2 approaches to teaching and/or supporting learning, appropriate for subjects and level of study K3 critical evaluation as a basis for effective practice K4 appropriate use of digital and/or other technologies, and resources for learning K5 requirements for quality assurance and enhancement, and their implications for practice Areas of Activity In your context, demonstrate that you: A1 design and plan learning activities and/or programmes A2 teach and/or support learning through appropriate approaches and environments A3 assess and give feedback for learning A4 support and guide learners A5 enhance practice through own continuing professional development