Struggling to adapt traditional faculty professional development programs at this phase of the not-quite-finished pandemic? This Discovery Session offers some thoughtful considerations for curating a flexible, on-demand, effective set of professional learning materials for the needs of today’s instructors.
Description/Overview
The realities of higher education during and beyond the coronavirus pandemic have highlighted an urgent necessity for high-quality, flexible, on-demand faculty professional development resources. Whether rapidly adapting instructional techniques, delivery modalities, or merely upskilling to meet a shifting professional landscape, there is no doubt that instructors need a variety of tools in their virtual toolbox. For example, podcasts offer a flexible platform for anytime/anywhere self-directed learning, and have demonstrated consistent increases in popularity and adoption rates in recent years.
This discovery session will present emergent strategies for thoughtfully curating a usable, timely ecosystem of faculty professional development based on learner priorities, available institutional resources, and tolerance for innovation. Highlighting flexibility, ease of access, and timeliness of professional learning materials may be particularly important for faculty who teach in online or blended programs and rarely (if ever) travel to a physical campus – those for whom onsite workshops or training sessions are inconvenient or nearly impossible to attend. Aspects related to the design, production, and dissemination of professional development podcasts will also be shared, with emphasis on strategic alignment to desired learning outcomes.
Learning Objectives
Through engaging in this interactive Discovery Session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the opportunities and challenges inherent to delivering faculty professional development in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Reflect on the potential benefits of designing faculty professional development offerings for maximum flexibility.
- Discuss the role podcasts may fulfill in an innovative faculty professional development ecosystem.
Audience Engagement/Materials
During this interactive Discovery Session, participants will be invited to respond to a brief online survey regarding attitudes and prior experiences with faculty professional development. They will be able to engage in discussion on a variety of strategies and tools that are adaptable for innovative, flexible professional development approaches. Participants will receive a reference handout with suggested approaches and organizational examples.