Two recent Western Canadian studies provide an in-depth investigation of current educational development and professional learning structures and practices within 35 Canadian colleges, institutes, and universities in BC and Alberta (Randall et al. 2013; Wilson & Kwong See, S. 2015). With organizational change in post-secondary institutions occurring at a rapid and often disruptive rate globally, nationally and provincially, these studies were able to provide an overview of the dimensions of educational development structures and describe current models of practice in these two provinces. But the educational development landscape is changing and so are the mandates for teaching and learning centres/units. In BC for example, almost 60% of reporting educational development centres have sustained their current mandate and model for five years or less. Are changes in educational development structure and practice achieving harmony within post- secondary institutions? Are Teaching and Learning Centre personnel prepared to support, even lead, rapidly moving institutional changes? This highly interactive workshop focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of a range of educational development and professional learning models. Participants will be asked to reflect on current structures and practices within their own institutions and then align their context with their preferred educational development model. Participants will leave the workshop having contributed to the analysis of sustaining and inhibiting factors for educational development leadership. The researchers will share key findings from their educational development and professional learning studies.
References:
Amundsen, C., & Wilson, M. (2012). Are we asking the right questions? A conceptual review of the educational development literature in higher education. Review of Educational Research, 82(1), 90-126. doi: 10.3102/0034654312438409
Randall, N., Heaslip, P., & Morrison, D. (2013). Campus-based Educational Development & Professional Learning: Dimensions & Directions. Vancouver, BC, Canada: BCcampus.
Stes, A., Min-Leliveld, M., Gijbels, D., & Van Petegem, P. (2010). The impact of instructional development in higher education: The state-of-the-art of the research. Educational Research Review, 5, 25-49. doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2009.07.001
Wilson, M., & Kwong See, S. (2015). Campus-based Educational Development in Alberta Post-Secondary Institutions. Edmonton, AB, Canada: University of Alberta.
