Session 72: Development - a community approach supporting individual achievement

Abstract

Increasing pressures on resources and demands of metrics alongside the cultural shift in technology and AI, can leave colleagues without the time and resources to maintain their own development and reflective practice. Feelings of isolation may result and this model of encouraging developing practice encourages a safe learning environment and curates time and space for experimentation. Initially, peer support sessions where the use of Canvas tools, for example, could be enhanced by understanding how others were engaging with the technology were the bedrock of an effort to increase and improve digital capacity to create a stronger student experience. This early use of peer exchange was the model drawn upon to create a set of all staff Development Days. Institutional changes and technological innovations supported an evolution whereby support from expert colleagues worked alongside the peer led sessions. The days were a smorgasbord, an eclectic mix of enhancement and governance, informative and discursive sessions all designed to support the student journey. From being an annual event, the pace of change and the communication gains from the Development Days led to a structure where 3 times a year a collaborative mix of elements impacting teaching and learning were drawn together without losing the essence of peer support and enhancement of capacity. The culture was inclusive, using accessible language when discussing IT interventions, for example, and drawing in those who had no previous experience of presenting to peers and colleagues. The impact can be seen in the embedding of the events within the calendar and expectation that these will take place and be part of the review and evaluation of practice. The session will invite discussion about contextualising the process and building a roadmap to support and give confidence about changing practice in a volatile environment.