Innovation, creativity and change: utilising appreciative inquiry and reflective practice to achieve asset based information literacy

Vicky Grant, University of Sheffield LibraryBarbara Sen, University of Sheffield iSchoolDenise Harrison, University of Sheffield Library

Setting the scene

• Learning and Research Services Team – who we are and what we do?

• Away day - inspired by previous LILAC conference presentation

• Reflective practice• Appreciative Inquiry

What we were aiming to achieve

• New team – team building• Opportunity to explore• Provide an open platform for everyone to share

ideas• Reflect on what we do that is good• Share best practice• Learn from each other

Reflection

Images– Prof. Nigel Ford, Information School

Reflection• “Re fle c tio n p ro vid e s a n a c tive a nd s truc ture d

wa y o f thinking a nd o f fa c ilita ting p ro fe s s io na l d e ve lo pm e nt. ”

• SchÖn (1983)

• With this idea of reflection, reflection is not just an abstract concept; it is dynamic (“active”), and practical (“thinking and facilitating”), giving a framework (“structured way”) for professional change and development.

The Reflective Dynamic

What change is needed?

How will the change be achieved?

Reflect on the success of any change.

Reflection• Reflective practice aims to achieve

positive change through critical analysis of the situation

• Links with Appreciative Inquiry which also focuses on positive change

Appreciative Inquiry (AI)Originated as a challenge to the deficit

model which all too often epitomises organisational life

AI is an innovative way of understanding the world

Focuses on the social construction of realityCan be used to change any process –

through the telling of affirmative stories, e.g ‘tell us what works’

Appreciative Inquiry (AI)

Appreciative Inquiry (AI)

Away Day - format of day09.00 Tea and Coffee09.30 Ice-breaker09.45 Recap on reading10.00 Reflective practice12.00 Paired / group work13.00 Lunch14.00 Creating and sharing15.00 Outcome and CPD

Stories to tell….

• Encouraging individual stories through reflective practice

• Sharing those stories and experiences in paired and group work

• Sharing innovative practice in group work, appreciating each others IL practice

• Creating a dream for the furture

Post Induction Week follow up

• 09.30 Introduction• 09.40 Personal reflections on induction• 10.10 Group reflections• 10.40 Coffee• 11.00 Group feedback• 12.30 Close

Examples of what went well…)

• “Shock and awe”—use challenging and purposely difficult exercises to make sure participants engage with the session

• Peer observation—crucial to work with someone you trust to provide feedback, can help the observed person to be more confident

Comments from the evaluation• “Have started keeping a reflective journal on

the teaching sessions I've run this year; have sat in on other colleagues' teaching sessions as observer, where they take a different approach”

• “I’m asking my students to reflect on their learning”

• “I plan to make more use of reflection - maybe to keep a reflective journal, especially when thinking about pedagogy.”

Evaluation and CPD• Lots of positive feedback about reflective practice• Request to participate in more peer observation• Learn more tips about how to liven sessions up• Invite someone from Learning and Teaching to talk

to us about small/large group working• Enrolment on the Sheffield Teaching Assistant

programme• Enthusiasm for Higher Education Academy

Associate Fellowship• How we advise students about evaluation

OutcomesCreativity

Storytelling in groups Artwork encouraging creative thinking and sharing of best

practiceInnovation

Using appreciative and reflective practiceChanging IL practices learning from each otherIncreased confidence

Change

Impact at all levelsIndividuals IL practiceFurther research and use of AI and reflective practiceOutcomes have fed into teaching and research

Future thoughts

• Relationship between appreciative inquiry and reflection and how it can be used in a working context to support IL practice

• How AI techniques can be developed within the work place

• How reflective practice and AI can feed into teaching, research as well as practice

References

• References• Cooperrider, D. L. (2008) Appreciative inquiry

handbook: for leaders of change. Brunswick: Crown Custom Publishing.

• Moon. J (1999) Reflection for learning and professional development. London: Kogan-Page

• Schön, D (1983) The Re fle c tive Pra c titio ne r, Ho w Pro fe s s io na ls Think In Ac tio n , Basic Books.