SEDA Summer School 2011: Supporting Educational Change

Development for the DevelopersAcademic development means working with individuals, groups & institutions to analyse and improve their practice. The Summer School gives participants time, stimulus and support to review and improve their own practice.ParticipantsThe School is intended for colleagues in their first few years of work in academic development. Development may be part or all of their work. Participants may work in academic development units; as learning and teaching coordinators in Faculties or Schools; in Subject Centres; or in other settings and roles where they help to enhance academic practice. The course aims to help participants to                            

• Analyse the opportunities and challenges of their current, and perhaps also their next, role(s) in academic development
• Develop both conceptual and practical approaches to their work
• Share and test ideas and practices from other developers.

MethodsThe course involves seminars, workshops, small group and private study, membership of an Action Learning Group, and tutorials and mentoring with experienced developers. There is time to think!Feedback from participantsParticipants in the 2010 SEDA Summer School particularly liked:

• The facilities; readings; Action Learning Groups; different approaches to sessions
• Workshops reflecting the realities and concerns of academic development practice
• Time to reflect on their approach to managing; also ideas, questions and challenges
• Variety of activity and clear & practical applications for workshops
• Opportunity to work in different groups, use of examples from practice / real life
• Discovering common interests and enthusiasms with other delegates
• The stimulating and nourishing nature of the content and the way it’s delivered … “and of course the venue”.

One said: “I wanted to take my Action Learning Group home with me so I could meet with them every week!”Facilitators

• David Baume PhD FSEDA FHEA, higher education consultant, previously at the Open University
• Professor Diana Eastcott, higher education consultant, previously at Birmingham City University
• Carole Baume MA FSEDA FHEA, educational developer & change manager at The Open University