Newsletter April 2024
The PIL newsletter is published twice a year (April and October). This is a condensed version in English.
Welcome to PIL!
The Unit for Pedagogical Development and Interactive Learning (PIL) promotes stimulating pedagogy at the University of Gothenburg.
Apply for our courses from 17 April
The autumn 2024 PIL courses (including modules) will open for applications on 17 April at 9 a.m. Places are limited and will be assigned on a "first come, first served" basis. The courses may quickly be fully booked, so don't wait to apply. If you belong to Sahlgrenska Academy, please note the information below!
These courses are offered in English:
- Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 1: Basic Course (PIL101) – in the form of modules!
- Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 2: Subject Field Pedagogy (PIL102)
- Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 3: Applied Analysis (PIL103)
- Supervision in Postgraduate Programmes (PIL201)
Read more about PIL's courses offered in English
PIL101 is held as modules
The PIL course Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 1: Basic Course (PIL101) is held in the form of modules. The module system is a pilot project.
In order to register PIL101 as completed in Ladok, you need to take the Introduction Module and the Legal Module. In addition, you need to take two elective modules that together comprise at least 65 hours. (For doctoral students at Natfak there is another option, a special 65-hour module.)
In the autumn of 2024, we offer five elective modules in English:
- Microteaching (25 hours)
- Lesson Plan (40 hours)
- The Good Lecture (40 hours)
- Teaching methods to promote students’ critical information awareness (40 hours)
- Teaching methods for PhD students in natural science (65 hours; only for PhD students at the Faculty of Science)
Read more about PIL101 in the form of modules
NB: Special application form for staff at Sahlgrenska
Do you belong to Sahlgrenska Academy (or VGR)? Then you must use a special application form for the courses PIL103 and PIL201 (but not for PIL101 or PIL102). Application period for Sahlgrenska: 8 April – 5 May. After that period, submitted applications are ranked by your department.
Read more about the admission procedures for Sahlgrenska
PIL courses offered in Swedish
Information on PIL's courses offered in Swedish
Web resource on AI-generated material in higher education
In higher education, the development within so-called generative AI (where ChatGPT is probably the most well-known) has been a source of concern and many considerations. The PIL Unit has created a comprehensive web resource where the concept of generative AI is introduced, explained, and illuminated from various perspectives.
To the web resource about generative AI
New Canvas module on Academic Honesty
The Introduction to Academic Honesty course module is now available on the online Canvas learning platform. It is a course designed for students, that focuses on writing with support from sources and providing guidance on honest approaches to student writing at the university.
From the autumn semester 2024, Introduction to Academic Honesty will replace the Canvas modules Academic Integrity 1 and Academic Integrity 2. Until then, they will be available in parallel with the new module.
Read more about the new Canvas module on Academic Honesty
Workshops and seminars
Information on PIL's workshops and seminars offered in English
Six new excellent teachers
PIL congratulates the latest excellent teachers at the University of Gothenburg:
- Anders Boman, Department of Economics
- Miroslaw Staron, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
- Arne Frederik Wackenhut, The School of Global Studies
- Jonas Nilsson, Department of Business Administration
- Sara Uhnoo, Department of Sociology and Work Science
- Erik Andersson, The School of Global Studies
Read more about the excellent teachers appointed at GU
More about the title Excellent Teacher and how to apply
Texts on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
In the series Texts on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, PIL publishes texts that can contribute to discussions and new perspectives on teaching and educational issues. Here is the latest one:
Here you can find the all texts that are written in English: Texts on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
You are welcome to send in your own text on teaching and learning in higher education. The PIL Unit's editorial committee give editorial feedback.
Read more about publishing opportunities at PIL
Learning Lab – the learning environments of the future
Learning Lab Gothenburg is an environment for exploring pedagogical possibilities and learning more about how interior design, light, sound, digital tools and other environment-creating factors can affect learning and creativity. The PIL Unit now offers educators the opportunity to participate in a selected group of teachers who explore Learning Lab during the academic year 2024/25. Nominations of interested teachers can be made until 17 May. Teachers can submit an application for themselves, but the participation must be endorsed by the department head or education director.
The PIL Studio
The PIL studio offers the university's teachers the opportunity to produce their own teaching material such as lectures, interviews, conversations etc. PIL staff with pedagogical and technical knowledge helps with the recording and editing, and provides advice. On request, we can also make films outside the studio. The finished film is usually delivered via the university's video portal GU Play.