1. Welcome to today’s workshop – Action Learning:
Shift 2013: Sharing practice, Developing Community
Welcome to today’s workshop – Action Learning:
Students learning in groups and engaging in a virtual activity
Sandra Rankin
Department of Psychology and Counselling

2. Student Learning Objectives
Procedure
Outcomes
Technology
Reflection on:
Strengths
Weaknesses
What will the audience be able to do after this training is complete? Briefly describe each objective and how the audience will benefit from this presentation.

3. Today’s Action Learning Overview
Explain concept to students 1
Explore the benefits and drawbacks they might encounter 2
Ensure all materials are communicated in good time and allow discussion 3
This is another option for an overview slide.

4. Relate Activity to the real world
New skills or application of existing skills:
Communication
Thinking creatively
Thinking spontaneously
Experience of working in groups (not with friends)
on real or simulated tasks
Learning from other people
Experiencing Role Play in a safe environment
Learning different ways to communicate
Use a section header for each of the topics, so there is a clear transition to the audience.

5. New Skills e.g. The Communication Curve The Technology Learning Curve
Add slides to each topic section as necessary, including slides with tables, graphs, and images.
See next section for sample table, graph, image, and video layouts.

6. Working Toward Employability
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Working Toward Employability
Achieve goals
Get Experienced
Undergraduates experience
Get Familiar
Time Spent
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7. Getting Students to Do Their Best Work
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Getting Students to Do Their Best Work
Embed within course aims and objectives
Working offsite – outside of the classroom/lab
Technology requirements – making sure all students know what to do
Encourage spontaneity
If there is relevant video content, such as a case study video, demo of a product, or other training materials, include it in the presentation as well.
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8. Case Study Level 6 undergraduates – Organisational Psychology course
Opportunities for student to work in RANDOM groups
Opportunities to compare FORMAL and INFORMAL meetings, i.e. with agendas
Opportunities to compare modes of Communication – F2F and Online
Add a case study or class simulation to encourage discussion and apply lessons.

9. Now we have a little activity to do!!
Each of you will be given a role in your group Each of you will need to access Each group needs a separate chat group

10. Discussion What we can learn from this type of activity?
What Is Best practice?
What works for you and your students
Take-aways for students
Time management
Preparation
Responsibility for group goals
Be spontaneous
Learning from other students
Try it! You might like it
Discuss outcomes of the case study or class simulation.
Cover best practices.

11. Summary Define the challenges for students
Technological as well as personal
What can they reflect on
Set realistic expectations for you and them
What you can achieve with your resources
Keep your eye on the goal
Giving students more hands on experience
Summarize presentation content by restating the important points from the lessons.
What do you want the audience to remember when they leave your presentation?

12. Microsoft Engineering Excellence
References
Bourner, T., Frost, P., and Beaty, L. (1992) Management Development by Research. Personnel Review 21 (2).
Facione, P.A. (1990) Critical Thinking: A statement of expert consensus for purposes of educational assessment and instruction. Willbrae: CA: California Academic Press.
McGill, I. & Beaty, L. (2001) Action Learning. London: Logan Page. (3rd Ed).
Mumford, A. (1995) Learning in Action. Industrial and Commercial Training. Vol 27, No. 8, pp
Smith, J.W. & Stitts, K., (2013) Using Action Learning and Critical Thinking Tools To Make Changes In Higher Education Contemporary Issues in Education Research. First Quarter, Vol 6, No. 1.
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13. Microsoft Engineering Excellence
Questions?
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