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About LiTMus
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The LiTMus (Learning and Teaching in Music) Programme of Professional Development for Musician-Teachers in Higher Education was established at the Royal College of Music in May 2000.
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LiTMus incorporates the former Performance Teachers' Development Project (PTDP), a HEFCE- FDTL-funded initiative formerly based at the University of Southampton in partnership with the Music Departments of Royal Holloway: London and the University of Surrey (The PTDP Consortium) (1996-2000). The PTDP was initiated and directed by Dr Laurie Stras 1996-1999, and by Louise Gibbs 1999-2000, who continues as Director of the LiTMus Programme.
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The PTDP project was set up in response to:
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concerns raised in The Subject Overview Report - Music (HEFCE, 1995) by the Quality Assurance Agency that many performance teachers, most of whom were musicians teaching part-time and in a semi-detached relationship with their institutions, were responsible for an important and growing part of undergraduate provision, but were in need of improved institutional guidance and support.
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the need for improved integration of part-time teachers with full time staff and the academic programme, and concerns about inadequate training for and understanding of procedures for student assessment and examination.
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The PTDP Consortium proposed that a structured scheme of accredited professional development, especially designed for musician-teachers in higher education, was the most effective way of addressing these concerns. The PTDP challenge was to design, implement and evaluate a nationally accredited scheme that would:
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attract and maintain the interest and commitment of busy teachers |
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raise instrumental and vocal teachers' awareness of teaching, learning and professional effectiveness, and enhance their ability to reflect upon their work |
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provide a forum for music teaching staff to meet, share experience, and discuss common concerns such as student motivation, assessment, teaching standards, and institutional integration and management |
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offer structured assignments and support to enable teachers to articulate and document their professional, musical and teaching experience in light of issues of teaching quality and accountability |
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improve the professional standing of musician-teachers in higher education |
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satisfy the requirements of a national accrediting body for teaching in higher education (such as SEDA - Staff and Educational Development Association)
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Professional Development
