‘Don’t our students deserve the best?’

The role of staff training inenhancing the student experience

Session outlineWhat and why?ExpectationsOur approachThe student experienceKey to successChallengesQuestions

About us…

5 Colleges and 1 schoolA research centre (The Field Centre)International collaborationsNew Masters with Lillehammer UniversityA quality assurance framework

February 2015 – 1,037 trainings

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 practicalapplication and experiential learning.

Our visionThis 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

Our methodWe 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.

Model

Education

HealthCare

Who we have to satisfy?

FUNDERS

Parents

StudentsStaff

REGULATORS

Local Authorities

Our approachWe 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.

PrinciplesPlanningQualityTimelinessRelevanceDelivery methods (adult pedagogy)EvaluationImpact on the student experience

At the Heart

Research informed practice : Practice informed research

About our trainingStrengths of the training included:

Relevant, clear and understandableBuilt upon and/or increased their knowledgePresenters were engaging and enthusiasticCase studies, examples and practical

experiences were welcomedThere were perceived direct benefits on the student experience arising from staff training.

About our trainingAreas 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

knowledgeThe need to include examples, case studies,

interaction and/or practical experiences into training, as appropriate

Translating some theoretical sessions into their application with students.

Links to the student experienceStaff clearly identified the links between

meaningful and relevant training and the on-going enhancement of the student experience.

Links to the student experienceGave 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

Links to the student experienceI 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

Key to success…in relation to enhancing the student

experience:

The What, the How and the Why:

Experiential learningRole modellingOpportunity for reflection (self generated

conscious action)Case studies – the real world…

Experiential learningLearn 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.

Experiential learningPractical experiences reconnect learners to

the world around them, and therefore educates

There is no true learning without doing it yourself

ReflectionThis 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

ReflectionReflection 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

ChallengesValues and methodsEvaluationReflectionAccreditation/portabilityAssessing/measuring impact

Question 1What strategies can we adopt to ensure that

staff learners engage?

Question 2In light of the challenges of time, and

budgets how can we best manage the balance of training, development and education to support:

Succession planningThe student experienceStaff development

Question 3How can we assess the impact of staff

training on the student experience

Question 4How can we effectively research our practice

in order to enhance practice, through the vehicle of staff training?

ActivityQuestion 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?

Thank You!Mandy Nelson

Mandy.nelson@rmlt.org.uk