Seminar for the National Leaders

Yesterday and today, I participate in a seminar for all the national leaders of the program of social education. We have discussed exam, quality, interaction with R&D, study-load and accreditation. Now, an interesting discussion about new innovative exams is going on.  I think it is important that we offer the students a wide variation in the types of exams.

Yesterday, I made a presentation based on my experience with the interaction between researchers, lectures and students in higher education. Some of the leaders could recognize the potentials and problems I described. Some of them could not. Some were engaged in the discussions. Some of them looked as if the educational practice I presented was fare away from their practice. However, for me it was a good reflection exercise.

The seminar was held at Hotel Billund, so I have enjoyed two days in a setting with lego bricks all over. In the reception, in the restaurant, in the bedroom and also in the ladies room you will find lego bricks in creative variations.

Educational Innovation

Today, we had the first seminar in an important process. We aim at developing a new shared educational practice. Until now, the 4 locations in the program for social education have maintained their own profile, traditions and educational paradigms. Of course all the work in the programs is based on a shared curriculum, and on guidelines for internship and guidelines for exam. However, the analysis of the educational practice shows that the differences cannot easily be explained or grounded in sound educational argumentation. Furthermore, we have an urgent need to work cross locations, to strengthen research and educational quality. We can only do so if we can describe, document and present our educational practice in a coherent way based on a strong theoretical foundation and a shared practical educational approach.

I try to use the model below to design the process – in its entire flow. Today, we worked in the constructing phase. I had made a pre-prototype of a study-plan – presented in the way it is supposed to be presented to all our students – when they start the new semester.  And I got so much input and so many new, constructive and creative comments which I have to add to the study-plan before we can go into the next Lab-exercise: discussing the pre-prototype with all the lectures. Today, I had only invited 30 persons and 20 persons participated. In the next period, all lectures will be invited to participate in asynchronous and synchronous discussions. It is a very import phase where I have to maintain an open mind.

As part of my presentation today, I had made 4 interviews with important stakeholders: two students, a leader from an organizations for leaders of the institutions for impaired adult citizens and a researcher. In two of the interviews, I also made a short video presenting the highlights of the interview. In the next couple of days, I will try to convert one of the videos from powerpoint into YouTube and put it on my blog.

Several things surprised me today

1) At one hand, there was a great resistance to the concept of innovation. On the other hand, there also was a part of the lectures and managers highly dedicated to the concept of innovation.

2) There is a rather strong vision of the democratical processes in the educational practice in the program cross locations. However, some of the lectures seemed to disagree in involving the students in this innovative process.
3) A concern that educational quality will be reduced if we change our practice and work systematically cross locations. 

Learning by Developing

All new students at UCL received an invitation to take part in action research during their education. The publication was one of the last things I was responsible for as Head of R&D. The department of communication and the consultant from R&D did a wonderful job. They can be proud:  http://ucl.dk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2905-avis-260x365mm-udvikling-og-viden_web_100dpi.pdf

Out of Blog

I have not blogged for a long time. Starting in a new job is a rather challenging activity. I might have forgotten. It is also very interesting - and I have the feeling that I learn a lot every hour and every day! There are so many new people, new ways of acting in, thinking of and experiencing the world. Some days, it is overwhelming in a way that there is no space for reflection on the blog. However, there have been lots of events, situations and activities to reflect on and write about. I have participated in a workshop focusing on digitalization in education, administration and management. Great keynote-speakers and concrete projects from the organization made it a very inspiring day. I also participated in the opening of our new campus in Roskilde - it is an amazing building designed for education for the future. I also have had a visit from two Japanese universities - three professors wanted to hear more about social education in Denmark. I enjoyed meeting with them. Last - but not least it has been very interesting and inspiring to meet so many new senior lectures, consultants, and  colleagues and to start working with a new strategic management. 

Below, you can see the new campus from outside and inside.