Self-development: Professional Development: The Balancing Act!

Self-development: professional development: the Balancing Act!

M.L.PANDIA

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 copresenting experiences with ’old hands’;  Take up opportunities to induct, mentor and co-mentor new colleagues.

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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.