Spheres of Influence: Ventures and Visions in Educational Development*3-6 July, 2002 AbstractSupporting the challenge of educational changeRanald Macdonald, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom The term 'educational development' can increasingly be applied to the activities of a wide range of people who support change in learning and teaching in higher education. In the UK, these include staff in the recently-established Learning and Teaching Support Network Subject Centres; teaching fellowship holders; those involved with institutional learning and teaching strategies including faculty, courseware developers and research assistants; managers including Pro-Vice Chancellors (Academic or Learning and Teaching); in addition to those within central departments. As a result of this expansion in educational development and developers, those of us who are in more established positions find ourselves having to support and develop the new change agents. Being once removed from the actual activities makes it no less an important role as we are able to provide the 'big picture' and introduce networking and developmental opportunities. Using three case studies from areas with which I have been recently involved across a number of institutions, as well as nationally, we will draw out some of the general principles which you can then apply to your own specific situation. My case studies are:
You will be invited to contribute examples from your own practice, add to the theoretical or practical frameworks which I provide, and reflect on whether there is scope for formalising support for educational developers. The SEDA Fellowship and Associate Fellowship schemes will be introduced as developmental frameworks. Key words: Objectives, outcomes and activities: Using the examples of problem-based learning, developing new educational developers and plagiarism, participants will examine key educational change issues facing their institutions or organisations and draw up strategies for effectively supporting those involved in carrying out the change. The SEDA Fellowship and Associate Fellowship schemes will be introduced as a possible way of supporting development. Ranald Macdonald is a former Co-Chair of SEDA, and now a Vice-Chair. He is involved with many SEDA activities including convening their educational development research network. His educational development and research activities, particularly in the area of problem-based learning, have taken him to many countries and institutions. At Sheffield Hallam he is responsible for the development and implementation of the university's learning, teaching and assessment strategy. Contact: Ranald Macdonald, email: r.macdonald@shu.ac.uk |