Doug
I've just been running a series of 24-hour retreats for our faculties and felt the agenda-driven format was getting stale. I was introduced to Open Space Technology and the writings of Harrison Owen (try Google). The first time I tried it I was rather apprehensive but it was an outstanding success. I had to keep going for walks so as not to be tempted to intervene but luckily we were in a hotel at Hathersage in the Peak District so the walks were very pleasant. They were still up at 1.30 am talking about assessment! The second time, a week later, it didn't exactly bomb but I had to take a much more active role, though subsequent feedback has been more positive than I experienced it.
The important feature is that a strong theme is agreed in advance but the participants decide the specific issues to be explored further. There are a few simple principles and groundrules but I'd certainly recommend it - a colleague used it for a 3-hour workshop with similar success.
I'm happy to give further reflections if they would be useful.
Ranald
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From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association on behalf of Douglas Carr
Sent: Fri 23/02/2007 10:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Delivery of Staff Development Session
Each year we have an annual SD day within the Faculty of Education,
Health & Sciences (in July) which tends to focus on "hot topics" not
picked up / covered in priority topic days that occur throughout the
year. The format for the event essentially takes the form of keynote
sessions: breakout groups on different topics & debriefs / plenaries to
draw the outcomes of the break-out groups together. I'm interested to
know whether anyone on the list has had experience (or knows of) any
alternative formats / methods of delivery that could possibly work
better for an event which draws in around 90 staff and essentially
provides a vehicle for communicating / discussion of key issues (such as
relocation and major restructuring of one school).
Dr Doug Carr
Assistant Faculty Quality Manager,
Education Health & Sciences
University of Derby
Room A115, Mickleover Site,
Western Road, DERBY DE3 9GX
Tel: 01332 592185
Email: [log in to unmask]
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