Self-development: professional development:

the Balancing Act!

Professor Sally BrownHigher Education / Interim Manager

Supporting the Supporters, Cheltenham8th June 2004

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.

The value of professional development

Recognition of achievement; Broadening of horizons; Peer learning and support; Promotion opportunities; Enhancement of the student

experience.

The value of personal development

Maximisation of opportunities;

Personal growth; Role enlargement; Lifelong learning; Greater job satisfaction.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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!

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;

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.

Setting personal goals which are SMART

(adapted) Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Recognisable; Time constrained.

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.