The 3E Approach to the Online Professional Development of Educators Dr Keith Smyth, Edinburgh Napier University Teaching and Learning Innovation Symposium 7 th June 2010

Technology does have transformative potential, and many learners are already using a rich range of technologies within their everyday lives, and also in their formal studying, in empowered and empowering ways… But ‘transformation’ as it is currently discussed in relation to education, technology and the future of educational institutions is a troublesome and loaded concept Some framing propositions

Unless the educator knows what it means to be an online learner, and has experienced what good technology- supported learning offers, the potential to use technology in transformative ways will remain only partially fulfilled The distinction between ‘sage on the stage’ and ‘guide on the side’ (or even “ghost in the wings”, Mazzolini and Maddison, 2006) is no longer enough when considering the role of the tutor in today’s ‘web 2.0’ world …

The project Joint FE-HE initiative SFC e-learning transformation programme Transforming and Enhancing the Student Experience through Pedagogy Building upon existing good practice Using technology appropriately Learner-centred staff development Collaborative learning Working across the partner institutions Working with the sector Beyond the VLE Increasing learner autonomy ‘Web 2.0’ Sharing ideas

TESEP in practice Pathfinder projects SCQF levels 4 to 11 Joinery Art Drama Accounting and economics Painting and decorating Engineering Law Brick working Local and global learning connections Getting the blend right Subtle changes to practice Languages Computing Major changes Preparing students Evaluation Transform website

What are implications for tutors role? ‘Cutting through’ the jargon I’m already doing good things, so how do I build on that? What kind of transformation? How much learner control is enough? Choice and control? Implications for student? What role for current and emerging technologies? This is all too ‘blue skies’! 3E Approach 3E Approach Where do I start? Transformation as a troublesome notion I’m interested in good teaching not in technology! So what we’re doing now is no good?

Lecturers and other education professionals Choice and negotiation in every task Pg Cert/Pg Dip/MSc MSc Blended and Online Education Individual and collective needs drive from outset Peer and self assessment Technical development projects Learners as co-tutors Tutors as co-learners Preparation for continued professional development Applied and practice-based Reflective projects SEDA accredited Participants from over 25 different institutions Collaboration

The 3E Approach on the MSc BOE

Driven by individual and collective needs Group work often involves case study investigations around shared interests… …while individual projects often involve implementing engaging tasks & resources

Learners as co-tutors tutors as co-learners A student-led online seminar implemented in ning

Course context as a critical focus Screenshot from an interactive report in which a group critiqued part of the MSc BOE against key principles

“I wanted to become a ‘Tutor 2.0’ – someone who can exploit the capabilities of Web 2.0 technologies and critically utilise state of the art blended and online learning pedagogies to create and maintain a learning environment befitting 21st century learners’. The programme more than fulfils this for me.” “I have benefited from the interaction with the other learners enrolled on the course. Having a wide range of individuals who have different skills sets, knowledge and experience has been beneficial to me as I have learnt from my peers…Even though it is online and distant learning, in some ways it doesn't feel like that because of the activities that we undertake as part of the course.” The student experience

International student support One participant completely new to technology-supported education on joining the MSc BOE in 2008 manages the Language School at a small business school in mainland Europe. Her work on the MSc BOE over the first and the second module included a reflective blog and a group project that critically reviewed the MSc BOE's own online induction provision for students. This work was presented to colleagues, and the participant has subsequently been charged with convening the first senior management meeting that explores the use of technology to improve support for the institution’s mainly international cohort. Illustrative student stories

Internal capacity building One programme participant is the Head of e-Learning at his institution, leading online staff development provision a significant element of which was designed and developed for an individual project on the MSc BOE. Building upon the developmental work done in module 1, this participant is currently evaluating the pilot run of the first fully online course which will inform the next series. Illustrative student stories

Empowerment in professional communities Online guest expert sessions (recorded for revisiting) allow participants to interact with national and international experts

Engaging with internal professional groups and communities (Committees, Schools, programme teams) Engaging with wider professional communities (online and online supported communities that can support continued professional development beyond the MSc BOE) Engaging with the wider academic community through disseminating and presenting work done or supported through the programme via relevant journals and international conferences (including at ECEL 2009 e.g. the papers by Foley, Wilkinson and also De Groot) Empowerment in professional communities

Enhance (and Extend) classroom seminars with online follow- ups, in which pairs of students post summaries with a follow-up question for others to respond to (particularly effective in engaging those less forthcoming in classroom seminars) Consider using social bookmarking tools or wikis for learners to gather links to relevant resources. In the spirit of sharing and collaboration that characterises the read/write web, artefacts can be passed to the next cohort to support their learning Provide skeleton PowerPoint slides or a wiki page (with headings, key terms) on a specific topic to a small group, for them to research and further develop ahead of the next class Simple but effective Enhancements to consider

Similarly, encourage early engagement with key concepts by having small groups produce a short audio podcast to be shared with class, or having individuals take turns in writing the definitions for key terms on a wiki-based class glossary Consider using (Not Just For) Problems Forums, where general questions and queries can be posted in the first instance for the tutor and other students to respond to and help one another...

Consider the essence of the 3E Approach and the kinds of activities that could work well for the level of students you might be supporting. ‘Enhance’ activities work well in many contexts Give students control over what they learn, and how technology supports this, wherever possible. The benefits of relinquishing even some of the control the tutor traditionally has can repay that decision several times over in blended and online courses In any course context, encouraging wider participation in online and online-supported professional communities in the discipline area will help ensure continued learning and professional development and engagement beyond the course in question Some concluding considerations

 Bringing guest experts into courses is one of the most effective simple uses of technology for enhancing learning Transparent assignment specifications and guidance on what is expected of students, and what to expect from you, is critical Using technology in LTA isn’t so much about meeting learner expectations as recognising that the ways in which many learners are using technology, and the possibilities offered by technology, align perfectly with important pedagogic principles around collaborative learning, supporting learner autonomy, and developing skills needed during and beyond formal education…..but engaging our colleagues as online learners is critical to this! …

Questions? Keith Smyth MSc BOE Transform website