Critical reflection on professional development in the social sciences: interview results

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt ◽  
Eva Cendon
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
Deep Approach To Learning ◽  
Change In Higher Education

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present an interview and postscript that examine the specific meaning, rationale, conceptual framework, assessment and teaching of critical reflection in and on professional development in management and higher education from an action research perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This article is presented in the new genre of PIP (Zuber-Skerritt, 2009): Preamble – Interview – Postscript. The Preamble (P) sets out the background, purpose, structure and conduct of the interview (I), which addresses six probing questions and is followed by a Postscript (P) that reveals additional comments and reflections on the interview, and identifies learning outcomes and implications. Findings – Reflective practice is essential for a deep approach to learning, research and professional development and it is a driving force to enable learners to be adequately equipped for constant and complex change in today's and tomorrow's turbulent world. Research limitations/implications – The article is positioned to inspire further R&D in the current debate on urgently needed radical and rapid change in higher education for the twenty-first century. Practical implications – As well as the article's practical suggestions about why and how to develop reflective learning/practice, the PIP conceptual model applied in this article offers a useful practical approach for researchers to explore self-ethnography through interviews. Originality/value – Two conceptual models illustrate the essence of this article, providing practical help to academics and other professionals to advance reflective practice in research and learning.

scholarly journals Professional development of sustainability competences in higher education

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim Lambrechts ◽  
Elli Verhulst ◽  
Sara Rymenams
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Change Process ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Constructivist Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Analysis ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to provide insights into the relation between professional development (PD) and organisational change processes towards sustainability, with a specific focus on empowerment. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds upon a constructivist approach, combining a literature review, a desk research on key publications and reports and a socio-political analysis to reveal the specific context in Flanders, Belgium. Findings are then connected to earlier insights from research on organisational change for sustainability. Findings The paper provides a number of PD initiatives that focus on sustainability in general and in a single higher education (HE) institution. Framing such initiatives as an organisational change process offers insights on how elements of empowerment are currently incorporated in PD initiatives and how it can strengthen them to lead to the further integration of sustainability competences in HE. Research limitations/implications Limitations are linked with the kind of sources used in the constructivist approach. The analysis only looks at written reports on the topic, albeit it also builds upon the first-hand experiences of educators in the HE institution focused upon in the case. Practical implications There is a need to frame PD initiatives as an organisational change process towards sustainability with specific attention towards empowerment. Without this framing, PD approaches comprise the risk of being left in the margins or being understood as single initiatives without any connection to the bigger picture, i.e. the transition towards sustainability in HE. Social implications Interlinking PD and organisational change provides opportunities to frame the sustainability transition within the university in a wider societal context. Originality/value The paper provides an original contribution to the debate on sustainability competences, as it frames the PD within an organisational context, rather than focusing on the individual role of educators.

The professional development needs for the use of educational technology

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam-Cheong Li ◽  
Billy Tak-Ming Wong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Educational Technology ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Development Needs ◽  
Hong Kong Higher Education

Purpose This study aimed to identify the professional development needs of academics in Hong Kong higher education for the use of educational technology. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted in 2017, which involved 374 academics from Hong Kong higher education institutions. The survey covered their perception and use of educational technology for professional activities and their relevant professional development needs. Findings The results showed an overall positive perception by the academics of the usefulness of online learning with the aid of technology, which was regarded as an effective complement to face-to-face learning. However, their use of educational technology focused only on general online applications, such as document and video-sharing tools, and e-learning platforms. Among various professional development needs, those related to the use of specific educational software with sharing of practical examples were considered to be most highly desired by the academics. In addition, the academics working in lecturer positions tended to use more online applications and had a higher need for professional development, than those with more teaching experience. Originality/value The findings contribute to identifying the current status of the use of educational technology and the professional development needs among academics in Hong Kong, as well as the differences between academics in different job positions and with different amounts of teaching experience. The results help in designing suitable professional development activities which address the specific needs of academics.

Factors affecting strategic change in higher education

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjørn Stensaker ◽  
Nicoline Frølich ◽  
Jeroen Huisman ◽  
Erica Waagene ◽  
Lisa Scordato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Strategic Change ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Organizational Fields ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
European Universities ◽  
Change In Higher Education ◽  
Analytical Tools

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify those factors that key actors in university governance hold as to be important in realizing strategic change within their institutions. Design/methodology/approach – Key decision-makers in 26 European universities were surveyed on their views on which factors bring about strategic change. The results were interpreted using a theoretical framework emphasizing organizational archetypes and their development. Findings – The findings indicated that strategic changes in universities were perceived as highly dependent on leadership, decision-making procedures, communication and evaluation. However, some differences between the universities in the sample can be identified, supporting indicating the relevance of using organizational archetypes as an analytical tools for observing change within the higher education sector. Originality/value – The study links organizational level developments on strategic management to macro-level change within the European higher education landscape, and provides new insights intoon the debate on convergence and differentiation in organizational fields.

scholarly journals Professional Training Of Specialists In International Marketing In Poland

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-91
Author(s):  
Wojciech Żukowski
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
International Marketing ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Polish Experience ◽  
Entry Strategy

AbstractPolish experience in training specialists in international marketing in the context of globalization and integration processes has been studied. A range of theoretical resources, namely Market Entry Strategy for Poland; the articles dedicated to international marketing and economy development (W. Grzegorczyk, M. Viachevskyi, M. Urbanetst); program specifications and structures at Polish universities, namely University of Lodz and Collegium Civitas, have been analyzed. It has been defined that marketing is one of the most important activities in all types of organizations since it is a link between customers and companies in the context of global changes in business environment. The need of leading companies for their staff to be highly qualified, open for new opportunities, ready to take an initiative and comprehend the global needs and values has been justified. It has been clarified that both higher education institutions have the same strategic aims, aimed at highly professional specialists’ training, the cultural-based education of youth, stimulating for critical reflection, lifelong learning, and professional development. Positive aspects in Polish experience of training future specialists in international marketing have been defined. Perspectives for further research have been considered.

scholarly journals Facilitating reflective practice: developing built environment educators’ capacity for teaching and learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesa Ruge ◽  
Lara Mackintosh
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Teaching Philosophy

The international literature on higher education emphasises the importance for academics and professional staff to develop their disciplinary teaching and learning practice. Teaching staff in built environment degree programs tend to focus on ‘what’ subject content is taught and less on ‘how to’ improve and innovate teaching and learning contexts and students’ skills development. To investigate these trends, this research reviewed the higher education literature and relevant international studies on strategies to enhance quality teaching and student learning. Findings highlight that reflective practice and engaging in a personal teaching philosophy and teaching profile provide an important link for individual professional development and basis for improving teaching and learning. The objective of this study was to apply findings from the literature in facilitating professional learning workshops, with a pedagogy for collaborative reflective practice and the development of a teaching philosophy. This research reports on the first stage of professional development for staff in built environment programs to establish a teaching profile through reflection on their personal and discipline specific pedagogies. Initial findings highlight the positive impact of reflection and collegial conversations about learning and teaching, as well as future opportunities for individual and discipline based capacity building for improving educational practice.

scholarly journals (Co)meta-reflection as a method for the professional development of academic middle leaders in higher education

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Thorpe ◽  
Diane Garside
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Joint Activity ◽  
Considerable Potential ◽  
Middle Leaders

The professional development of middle leaders in higher education is little considered in existing research, though there are general concerns being raised about the suitability of the professional development opportunities currently available. This article develops and explores the use of meta-reflection as a method for professional development, particularly of academics with direct responsibilities for courses and programmes such as course leaders, directors and co-ordinators. As an extension of reflective practice, (co)meta-reflection is proposed as a joint activity involving two or more people, seeking to develop their thought and practice by moving from descriptive to analytical levels of reflection. We provide an example of a (co)meta-reflective exercise and identify it as an approach with considerable potential to address the problems that middle leaders face, and call for further exploration of it as a method for professional development.

scholarly journals The ignorant manager: conceptualising impact with Rancière

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Scott
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Working Practices ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Critical Consideration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a response to expressions in the literature concerning the limitations of critical reflection, using Rancière’s exposition of the role of values and reasonableness to examine how forms of negotiated work-based learning can support learners’ pathways to impact in their organisation. The implications for work applied management in terms of enabling these employees to make an impact are considered. Design/methodology/approach Vignettes illuminate and articulate Rancière’s (1991, 2010) ideas, the vignettes constructed through events experienced and narrated, perhaps imagined, tutorial conversations, assignments and work practices. Such construction of “multiple layers of fiction and narrative imaginings” draws on Sparkes (2007, p. 522). They consider individuals’ negotiation of working practices using ideas developed during their studies, and personal and professional development prompted by unexpected insights into their capabilities, interests, and possible roles. Findings Negotiated work-based learning appears to offer the individual opportunity to take responsibility for action in his/her learning and in his/her workplace, but effect depends on several factors, and can be perceived in different ways. Students’ encounter with autonomy in their studies resonates with Rancière’s belief in equality. In the workplace (becoming “citizens” alongside “reasonable” individuals) their agency might, at best, lead to “reasonable moments”, as they encounter both negative and positive challenges of work applied management. Practical implications Successful utilisation of agency in learning prompts expectations of responsibility and equality in the workplace. Such equality can lead to diverse, unpredicted insights and consequent opportunities for changes in practice. Originality/value This is the first paper to utilise Ranciére’s ideas to offer a critical consideration of both learning provision and workplace practice. Consideration of his profound stance on individuals’ freedom and agency provides rich (but challenging) prompts for analysis of one’s own practice, and the potential for impact when the manager is “ignorant”.

Open courses and MOOCs as professional development – is the openness a hindrance?

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open Courses ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse if open courses, including massive open online courses (MOOCs), can be used as professional development despite their openness since the openness not only brings together individuals from different organizations but also may make the results of collaboration public. Design/methodology/approach – The setting is eight companies in different sectors and networks, collaborating with Higher Education Institutions in developing open courses in externally funded projects. The opinions of managers and HR-specialists in the companies are investigated and analysed. Findings – The managers and HR-specialists are positive to open courses that deliver professional development. They consider the openness in this kind of course to be of no significant problem. The employee knows what can be shared and what can be kept secret. The conditions are, however, different depending on the kind of company and the kind of inter-company relationship that exists. Research limitations/implications – Several interesting questions arise for future research about the use of open courses as professional development in different categories of inter-firm relationship and trust. Practical implications – If the openness is not a hindrance open online courses would appear to meet the requirement of flexibility; they have the potential of being suitable for professional development for individuals who want to increase their competence, but also as organized professional development in organizations and businesses. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies of the openness as a potential hindrance when open courses including MOOCs are utilized as professional development.

scholarly journals An exploration into pedagogic frailty: Transitioning from face-to-face to online

2017 ◽  
pp. 392-403
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Frailty Model ◽  
Learning Design ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Spaces ◽  
The University

Pedagogic frailty and concept mapping can simultaneously encourage personal and organisational change by supporting critical reflection and resilience. These ideas are nascent within higher education institutions and currently, at the University of Surrey, are only developed through face-to-face sessions. This revealed the need for a scalable intervention which engages academics with the discourse on introspective and professional development practices. In response, we have created the design for a blended programme of online foundation for concept mapping leading to face-to-face workshops to explore the pedagogic frailty model. This paper will discuss some significant challenges arising from transitioning self-reflective practices from face-to-face to online spaces. In the process, we will consider ways in which learning design can take the learner context into account.

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