Complementing these activities and outputs, a series of 5-minute lightning talks were scheduled across a series of daily scholarship hours....26 talks in fact....to be delivered as GASTAs with each session chaired by Ireland's one and only GASTA master, Dr. Tom Farrelly. Why 26 talks? Well that's what was needed for Ireland's first ever 'GASTA marathon'! Now all we needed to do was get the message out to invite speakers to sign up and apply to present, and start promoting it.
The needs
Below are what was created to meet the need (click to enlarge):
When I reflect on all of the above, I'm grateful for a lot of things....
1: Learning communities (LCs), an important term to describe an opportunity for people to come together, for people who have something to learn and/or something to share. A creative, safe space that provides a platform for people to be innovative. MTU have had a plan to support the development of LCs, with a target of 15 by the end of 2021. They currently have 36 established, surpassing that goal! From the teaching learning unit, they have developed a culture of supporting staff in recent years through various approaches, and here they are helping to support and sustain organically developed LCs. Extremely positive feedback was presented from LC members. As one person said, their focus remained student centred, but this was a way to help and support each other too.
2: LCs can go beyond a department. Realising and identifying thematic based LCs developing across disciplines is a great way to 'join the dots' and further develop collaborations within and across those disciplines. Seed funding can help get the community off the ground too. Terms such as 'growth', 'shared vision', 'maintain' were all incredible to hear, all geared at supporting and sustaining this culture and community of learning.
3: LCs can involve all key players across institutions. To see and learn more about their library's LC's assignment toolkit was wonderful. I had previously noticed tweets/images of the impressive launch event, but to hear more about how the concept, development and partnership connected several stakeholders was very impressive. They engaged with student partners, and developed their outputs as open educational resources (OERs), something that allows their excellent work to reach more people and places across the sector.
4: Set a short term objective. Go for it. Even if this is a small target, it is a target....and by working together to meet this, it will soon spawn, and evolve into, further long term objectives being set. Take that step.
5: Wind in their sails. I do enjoying seeing how certain technologies can support team work. For example, jamboard, miro etc. Seeing 'Miro' in action here, and learning about MTU's 'Lightning Decision Jam' captured my attention as well as the impressive framework development by PhD student Michelle O'Keefe. Through the activities outlined, you could see how the groups - via these activities - are working to keep the wind in their sails, while identifying and overcoming elements which may slow them down. Quite an impressive overview.
Overall, to see 36 learning communities established across an institution was impressive, but to learn about the supports in place and the motivation of the community membership was something to truly be motivated by.
Professional development can take so many forms...and on many occasions, these forms can energise and inspire. Attending this event was was one of those times. Should you wish you learn more, keep an eye out for the event's recording which the organisers mentioned will be shared soon. Also, you can view further upcoming events and various resources from VIT&L week, at the dedicated National Forum VIT&L webpage. |
Ronan BreeEducation Developer,Science Lecturer, Archives
March 2023
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Any opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer.
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