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Self-development:professional development: theBalancing Act!

Professor Sally Brown

Higher Education / Interim Manager

Supporting the Supporters, Cheltenham8th June 2004

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Current major initiatives

The Higher Education Academy isconcerned with the development of all

who support the student experience; Accreditation of teaching and learning

support staff is moving up the nationalagenda;

Consultation on standards is under way.

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The value of professional

development Recognition of achievement;

Broadening of horizons;

Peer learning and support;

Promotion opportunities;

Enhancement of the studentexperience.

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The value of personal

development Maximisation of opportunities;

Personal growth;

Role enlargement;

Lifelong learning;

Greater job satisfaction.

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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 learningsupport staff in 2004;

Fund for the Development of Teachingand Learning (FDTL) 5 funding availableshortly.

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What about Scotland and

Wales? Scotland uses a Quality

Enhancement approach;

Wales focuses more widely oneducation at all levels and isconsidering some more substantialHE enhancement initiatives;

All have indicated their supportfor the HE Academy.

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Potential impact on thelearning and teaching

environment Mobility of staff (?Transfer

market?);

Opportunities to make a hugedifference to student learning;

Rebalancing teaching and research

imperatives in HEIs (to someextent).

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Key future trends

Move towards evidence-basedpractice as a basis for pedagogic

change; More joined-up thinking on

teaching and learning initiatives;

Better learning from internationalexperiences.

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How do I know whatdevelopment 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.

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Where can I find useful

learning resources? Start with your Subject Centre and

other areas of the HE Academy;

Explore the other organisations workingin the teaching and learning field(SEDA, ALT, AUA, SRHE etc);

Check out your Professional and SubjectBodies.

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What can I get from

conferences and events ? Networking opportunities;

New ideas on how to conduct yourown professional practice;

Different perspectives andalternative approaches;

Inspiration, energisation;

Fun!

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How can I get the most out of

development chances? Take up training opportunities on

offer;

Keep good records of what you doand what you get out of it;

Consider using a reflective journal;

Keep (and file systematically)evidence of your achievements;

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How can I start contributing

myself? Offer posters at conferences;

Look or co-publishing and co-presenting experiences with oldhands;

Take up opportunities to induct,

mentor and co-mentor newcolleagues.

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Setting personal goals which

are SMART (adapted) Specific;

Measurable;

Achievable;

Recognisable;

Time constrained.

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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.