Group Size
?
1.) Small group (teams of 4-6)
2.) Individual Task
3.) Large Group
4.) Any
Small group (teams of 4-6)
Learning Environment
?
1.) Lecture Theatre
2.) Presentation Space
3.) Carousel Tables (small working group)
4.) Any
5.) Outside
6.) Special
Carousel Tables (small working group)
QAA Enterprise Theme(s)
?
1.) Creativity and Innovation
2.) Opportunity recognition, creation and evaluation
3.) Decision making supported by critical analysis and judgement
4.) Implementation of ideas through leadership and management
5.) Reflection and Action
6.) Interpersonal Skills
7.) Communication and Strategy
4Implementation of ideas through leadership and management
Story telling as a tool for learning is well known. Design Council tools like ‘Ideaplay’ were a great tool for the educator. Once you see how groups of students engage (or struggle) with the concept – it is easy to create your own narratives.
I worked with many colleagues at Sheffield Hallam University and we came up with some really amazing narratives. Students liked them because we could ground them in their experiences and contexts. We used them with school children at open days and even on summer schools.
When I started to work in Staff Development I found that there were many repeated issues that nobody could deal with. Fellow academics constantly felt under pressure, administrative staff and professional services staff likewise felt under pressure to deliver, yet unable to affect their academic colleagues.
Student support staff listened repeatedly to students complaining about the same issues year upon year.
So I created some narratives – “A year in the life of an academic” then “A year in the life of a member of “support Staff” and finally three years in the “life of a student”.
I used these in staff development sessions and shared the narratives with mixed groups. Academics felt they could relate to the “fictitious academic” and the support staff related to the “fictitious administrator”. Similarly support staff for students related to the student concerns.
When we looked at these issues objectively the blinkers became dislodged and genuine conversations opened up. I cannot say we solved every problem; but awareness was raised and thorny issues aired. Mutual respect did grow . . . which is not a bad outcome.
If you use the three sets then look at synergies and overlaps. How can the academic work more effectively to assist the support services and the student experience? Etc.
Students liked the “Ideaplay” approach and we always came up with fun discussions. When at Solent University, Louise Drake et al created a Social Enterprise version of the Ideaplay table cloth and I am sure it is still being used.
My staff development sessions were enjoyed whilst I was at Solent (well that is what my team told me at the time!)
I have since used these narratives with other groups of staff and even fellow educators via IEEP.
At the end of the session(s) the participants will be able to;
