Self-development: 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.