Action learning in curriculum design

TEACHING & LEARNING FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ACADEMICIANS

ERIC SANDELANDSDIRECTOR

CORPORATE LEARNING CONSULTANTS LTD

W W W. Y O U R C L E A R A D VA N TA G E . C O M

Aspects of designing courses

Aspects of action learning in....

Curriculum designImproving

department or university-wide programs

Improving pedagogy (and androgogy)

Motivating difficult students

Student-centred learningCorporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

WHAT IS A HIGH PERFORMING ACADEMIC?

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION: HOW ARE WE MEASURED?

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

A quick question

We think in terms of....

Research

outcomes

Teaching

outcomes

High perform

ance

Institutional

health

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Our changing context

Expansion

• Knowledge economy

• Part-time

Consumer-driven

• Accountability

• Responsiveness

• Global competition

• Specialization

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Building the responsive campus (Tierney)

• How defined?• Why does it

matter?

• How to embed?

• What measures?

Commitment to

educational

community

Commitment to

access and

equity

Commitment to

inquiry

Commitment to

excellence and

integrity

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Action learning helps us....

Democratize teaching and learning

Promote effective learning (teacher/ student)

Implement new educational strategies

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Remembering that action learning is... (Marquardt)

Involves

• Small groups

Working on

• Real problems

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

A worked example

Bespoke Cert/ Dip/

MSc

Nottingham Trent University

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Attributes Desired outcomes

A business-responsive university

Corporate relationship

Nottingham Business School clients include the BBC

Exposure to global issues

School of Architecture, Design & Built Environment

Reputation

Action learning methodology Learning from practice

Kentz Group

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Attributes Desired outcome

10,000 plus employees Develop leaders

Operational in 26 countries Engender knowledge of company, industry, theory, practice

Rapid growth Sustain growth

Global opportunities Succession

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Attributes Desired outcome

Learning and development specialists

Client satisfaction

Action learning facilitators Lasting relationship with university

Deep understanding of client’s needs

Development of leaders

Bridge between universities and corporations

Meld corporate and academic worlds

Action learning - Curriculum design

Teams

Rethinking design

Quality objectives

Commercial Strategy Team

Validation (including input from externals)

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Action learning pathways

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

• Induction• Fundamentals of Business• Project Leadership

Certificate in Management

Action learning – University-wide collaboration

Collaboration around resolving issues

Supportive cross-functional and cross-organizational environment

Focus on achieving goals

Focus on learning

Kentz

School of Built

Env.

Business

School

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Action learning – Pedagogy (and androgogy)

Democratises the learning process

Solves complex problems and challenges

Builds powerful teams Enhances corporate

culture Develops leadership

competencies Promotes systems thinking

and creativity

(Adapted from Marquardt)

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Learner

Action learning – Motivating students

Individual interest and desires

Motivation within the team

Impact of the corporate client

Impact of the learning coach

Impact of other peers and colleagues

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Action learning – Student-centred learning

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Academic

Individual

Applying to full-time students

Engagement with live issues

No “right” answer“Messy learningCourageBroader engagementProblem-solversBuilding networksAction-takers

Action

Reflection

Practice

Theory

Live issue

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

RESOLVING YOUR CHALLENGES

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Action learning in Higher Education Institutions

Our primary focus has been on....

Research

outcomes

Teaching

outcomes

High perform

ance

Institutional

health

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Aspects of designing courses

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.

Share your challenges

We can briefly discuss now

We can revisit them in small groups

Aspect Your challenges

Curriculum design

?

Institutional improvements

?

Pedagogy ?

Motivating difficult students

?

Student-centred learning

?

QUESTIONS OR FURTHER

EXPLANATIONS?

Corporate Learning Consultants Ltd.