Going forward

Sometimes you have an opportunity to go back to the start. What I mean by that, is to have the opportunity to plan a course or qualification from the beginning.

It is undeniably a stressful process especially when it comes on top of an already overloaded schedule but it is also exciting, getting to try plan out something that will work for, engage and excite your learners. Really move them forward in their understanding of your subject and move course course forward in terms of the latest thinking.

The Covid pandemic has been, among other things, an incredible experiment in what is and isn’t possible. It has also generated ideas of what could be possible going forward. It has quite literally shaken the foundations of many industries and education is no different. It has not been smooth and it has by no means been easy but it has forced a fast paced change in thinking within organisations not famed for fast paced change.

There is opportunity there.

Many of us have experienced the world of education in ways we could not have fathomed before 2020. Some, particularly in the early days, have been horrific but some are things that we’ll want to take forward. Perhaps not on their own but as another tool in the bag. And some institutions are beginning to codify more flexibility in their delivery methods within course documentation, relying more on their digital offering.

There is opportunity for you there.

Using the skills you have learned during the last year or so, and demonstrating those skills, should be good for you professionally especially if you can be a part of planning in accessibility, inclusion, and flexibility rather than having to react and adapt and engaging in these changes at the course/qualification creation or review level is a chance to have a long lasting impact on the way your subject area is taught.

The fundamentals won’t change. You’ll still have learning outcomes, but you could help write them so they are fit for purpose going forward. Really focusing on the knowledge and skills your students will need going into employment in your field. You’ll still have core knowledge, but you could help decide how your students will gain that knowledge. You’ll still have core skill, but again you could help shape how your students gain those skills. Your students will still need to demonstrate that they have gained that knowledge and those stills, but you can create options for how they do that.

I’m in the UK so I’m thinking of the possible restricted flow of students into the UK because of Brexit but, while that may be the biggest issue outside of the pandemic in my part of the world, other factors will be at play and be having a bigger impact in other parts of the world.

The pandemic has highlighted the necessity and the value of providing equity for all students despite individuals being in very different circumstances. It has, I hope, truly impacted the priorities of institutions to focus more on the experiences of students, all students, and that they take this opportunity to embed accessibility for all in their practices, embed much more inclusive, much more global practices and the opportunity is there for us all to be a part of that change.

Assuming, somewhat conceitedly, that you have followed the advice I’ve given in previous article, you have the skills to create good, clear, online content that you can rely on to deliver again and again. Build that structure into the course and qualification documents if and when you’re given the opportunity. Build in the accessibility and inclusiveness too. Make the courses and qualifications you are designing the go-to for as many students as you possibly can and then create room in those documents to go further.

Knowing how to integrate synchronous sessions, either online or in a physical location, and online materials mean your guest speakers no longer have to be in the country, that widens the possible pool of people you could reach out to. Want your students to compare how a concept is applied in Khazakstan and Thailand, invite experts in those countries to speak to your students.

With so many people working online, and possibly doing so even after the pandemic is under control, you could even think about having your students shadow individuals working in appropriate positions, using the concepts you are teaching in practical ways. Location need not be an issue but if you do need your students to come together on campus to for a simulation, get them all on campus. It is this kind of activity that will make the courses you plan stand out both within your institution and to students thinking about which institution to study with.

As long as you ensure that the plan for the course and/or the qualification is conveyed in a clear way, switching between the physical and digital world can enrich your classes. Ensuring that the course documents are fit for purpose also ensure that they don’t restrict those possibilities and is enables your course to shine.