1. The role of staff training in enhancing the student experience

2. Session outline What and why? Expectations Our approach The student experience Key to success Challenges Questions

3. About us… 5 Colleges and 1 school A research centre (The Field Centre) International collaborations New Masters with Lillehammer University A quality assurance framework February 2015 – 1,037 trainings

4. The new MA Explores alternative pedagogic approaches to special needs education through the medium of practical skills. Combines theoretical studies and philosophical debate with reflection, through practical application and experiential learning.

5. Our vision This is how we want our world to be: Each individual experiences meaningful relationships with universe, earth and people and is able to re- imagine their potential and shape their own future

6. Our method We work with hand, head, heart and place to provide students with the tools to transform material and in doing so transform themselves. In this way students come to recognise themselves and others, they develop self and social awareness and are empowered to achieve and make positive contributions to society at large, giving back in a self- directed, productive and enjoyable way.

7. Model Education HealthCare

8. Who we have to satisfy?

9. Our approach We aim to ensure that all staff have access to timely, relevant and appropriate training and development opportunities, in order to: facilitate research and development of skills and knowledge in supporting the succession of both staff and the method enable staff to do their job effectively, efficiently and safely underpin an excellent student experience.

10. Principles Planning Quality Timeliness Relevance Delivery methods (adult pedagogy) Evaluation Impact on the student experience

11. At the Heart Research informed practice : Practice informed research

12. About our training Strengths of the training included: Relevant, clear and understandable Built upon and/or increased their knowledge Presenters were engaging and enthusiastic Case studies, examples and practical experiences were welcomed There were perceived direct benefits on the student experience arising from staff training.

13. About our training Areas for improvement included: The suitability of venues (lighting, temperature, space, sound, visibility) The length of the sessions The level of detail and/or expected prior knowledge The need to include examples, case studies, interaction and/or practical experiences into training, as appropriate Translating some theoretical sessions into their application with students.

14. Links to the student experience Staff clearly identified the links between meaningful and relevant training and the on-going enhancement of the student experience.

15. Links to the student experience Gave me an excellent insight into how a student works at the task Will support and help work related issues Lots which applies practically as well as a big help in understanding

16. Links to the student experience I thought it was not only helpful in terms of supporting young people but also informative on a personal level Very helpful to contextualise my work with students Excellent insight affording greater understanding of student needs and ways to improve practice

17. Key to success …in relation to enhancing the student experience: The What, the How and the Why: Experiential learning Role modelling Opportunity for reflection (self generated conscious action) Case studies – the real world…

18. Experiential learning Learn best though experiential learning, as it helps deepen the pedagogy Experiential learning helps realize the potential for deep learning to occur Through experiencing the activity, I gained insights about my classroom and the students that I wouldn’t have if I had just read about it. It bridges unknown connections.

19. Experiential learning Practical experiences reconnect learners to the world around them, and therefore educates There is no true learning without doing it yourself

20. Reflection This piece is huge and scary and needed and avoided. I don’t think it’s a question of needing a new format as much as needing the courage to ask the questions that may lead to change One can not be an educator without doing inner work of reflection and contemplation

21. Reflection Reflection is a very important role… This was really valuable peer training, it made me do some deep reflecting and it will help me improve my work

22. Challenges Values and methods Evaluation Reflection Accreditation/portability Assessing/measuring impact

23. Question 1 What strategies can we adopt to ensure that staff learners engage?

24. Question 2 In light of the challenges of time, and budgets how can we best manage the balance of training, development and education to support: Succession planning The student experience Staff development

25. Question 3 How can we assess the impact of staff training on the student experience

26. Question 4 How can we effectively research our practice in order to enhance practice, through the vehicle of staff training?

27. Activity Question 1 What strategies can we adopt to ensure that staff learners engage? Question 2 In light of the challenges of time, and budgets how can we best manage the balance of training, development and education Question 3 How can we assess the impact of staff training on the student experience Question 4 How can we effectively research our practice in order to enhance practice, through the vehicle of staff training?

28. Mandy Nelson Mandy.nelson@rmlt.org.uk