Selfdevelopment: professional development: the Balancing Act

1
Self-development professional development the
Balancing Act!

• Professor Sally Brown
• Higher Education / Interim Manager
• Supporting the Supporters, Cheltenham
• 8th June 2004

2
Current major initiatives

• The Higher Education Academy is concerned with
  the development of all who support the student
  experience
• Accreditation of teaching and learning support
  staff is moving up the national agenda
• Consultation on standards is under way.

3
The value of professional development

• Recognition of achievement
• Broadening of horizons
• Peer learning and support
• Promotion opportunities
• Enhancement of the student experience.

4
The value of personal development

• Maximisation of opportunities
• Personal growth
• Role enlargement
• Lifelong learning
• Greater job satisfaction.

5
Some major English initiatives (also in NI (ish))

• The establishment from 2005 of 70 Centres for
  Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs)
• The expansion of the National Teaching Fellowship
  Scheme to include learning support staff in 2004
• Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning
  (FDTL) 5 funding available shortly.

6
What about Scotland and Wales?

• Scotland uses a Quality Enhancement approach
• Wales focuses more widely on education at all
  levels and is considering some more substantial
  HE enhancement initiatives
• All have indicated their support for the HE
  Academy.

7
Potential impact on the learning and teaching
environment

• Mobility of staff (?Transfer market?)
• Opportunities to make a huge difference to
  student learning
• Rebalancing teaching and research imperatives in
  HEIs (to some extent).

8
Key future trends

• Move towards evidence-based practice as a basis
  for pedagogic change
• More joined-up thinking on teaching and
  learning initiatives
• Better learning from international experiences.

9
How do I know what development opportunities to
take up?

• Keep your eye on the HE press
• Watch out for Funding Council consultation
  papers
• Obtain your own HEIs key strategic plans
• Scrutinise departmental objectives
• Use your own performance reviews constructively.

10
Where can I find useful learning resources?

• Start with your Subject Centre and other areas of
  the HE Academy
• Explore the other organisations working in the
  teaching and learning field (SEDA, ALT, AUA, SRHE
  etc)
• Check out your Professional and Subject Bodies.

11
What can I get from conferences and events ?

• Networking opportunities
• New ideas on how to conduct your own professional
  practice
• Different perspectives and alternative
  approaches
• Inspiration, energisation
• Fun!

12
How can I get the most out of development chances?

• Take up training opportunities on offer
• Keep good records of what you do and what you get
  out of it
• Consider using a reflective journal
• Keep (and file systematically) evidence of your
  achievements

13
How can I start contributing myself?

• Offer posters at conferences
• Look or co-publishing and co-presenting
  experiences with old hands
• Take up opportunities to induct, mentor and
  co-mentor new colleagues.

14
Setting personal goals which are SMART (adapted)

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Recognisable
• Time constrained.

15
Five key principles

• Grow your own job on
• Proactively seek out occasions for development
• Balance systematic planning with creative
  opportunism
• Find and use role models
• Make sure you continue to enjoy what you do.