ED Institute Week 1 — What is Educational Development? by https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq In this Padlet, we invite you to share your thoughts on different aspects of ED in the relevant columns below. Your responses can be informed by your own ED experiences, as well as the pre-readings. We will pick up the conversation in our synchronous session on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Click the white circle "+" button on the bottom of each column to add your contributions. To post anonymously, remember to sign out of your Padlet account. en-us 2022-04-06 00:15:25 UTC 2022-05-10 18:25:31 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f50e.png https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2168836526 Most Ed Devs would probably say academic; senior institutional leadership might have another opinion. Some are hired as faculty, others as staff...very dependent on the nature of the specific institution]]> 2022-05-03 19:09:08 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2168836526 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2168837988 Being valued. While I am sure many of us work with phenomenal colleagues in different roles in our institutions, our work is "quiet" and behind the scenes, so much of what we do sometimes doesn't seem have the same value to many as say a large research project, etc.]]> 2022-05-03 19:10:08 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2168837988 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2168841160 2022-05-03 19:12:37 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2168841160 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2169904554 Well, it can be either so I guess it depends more on which one it ought to be. I think it should be an academic position, but if I'm being honest with myself, after having spent so many years in academia, holding a staff position that comes with set working hours has been the change in pace of work that I needed at this time to be both productive and maintain work-life balance through the pandemic.  

]]> 2022-05-04 13:26:27 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2169904554 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2169908734 Lots of people, but students (both as learners and early career teachers) I'd say are the key beneficiaries. On the one hand, helping instructors strengthen their teaching leads to better student engagement with learning. On the other, helping students who are starting out as first-time teachers is a great opportunity to set them up for teaching success (Arshad and Grant's Report also points out the potential career benefits for students when connected to ED). 

]]> 2022-05-04 13:28:56 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2169908734 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2170054179 Great question! So hard to say when it took a pandemic to put EDs on the map in a more visible way. Perhaps more sharing of success stories to better indicate what we're doing at our institution: how did we help someone improve their teaching? Enhance teaching and learning? Collaborative partnerships and their results? 

]]> 2022-05-04 14:47:38 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2170054179 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2170057135 With the pandemic & starting positions online, there's the challenge of meeting and making meaningful connections with instructors. I started late in 2020 and then went on leave a few months later so have missed our busiest work periods. This has meant that I've missed opportunities to make connections with faculty during the key periods they reach out. As a result, I get sidled with more of the "background" or "quiet" work, which I enjoy, but my colleagues are working with faculty almost daily. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on the connecting piece even if that's not necessarily the case. 

]]> 2022-05-04 14:49:29 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2170057135 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2175746887 I think there are multiple. It is beneficial for students (they get a course where the learning outcomes match their assessments) and departments (they are more likely to have satisfied students). They are also integral for helping instructors layout their courses better, particularly for those who are...not the best at teaching/are unwilling to stray from the status quo. ]]> 2022-05-09 13:52:32 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2175746887 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2175748932 I don't think a lot of folks know what educational developers do. I'm certainly unclear on the differences between educational developers and instructional designers, as someone who is considering entering the field. ]]> 2022-05-09 13:53:38 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2175748932 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2175751234 Utilize campus media sources to explain what EDs do, why they are important folks to have on campus, and provide examples!]]> 2022-05-09 13:54:52 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2175751234 I think getting the right people to access the development training. I often wondered if it is the slightly negative connotation of the words "professional development", as if to fix something that is wrong. From Celia and Fiona, "you threw a party and no one came" is an experience I can relate to. angielyrette https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176035114 2022-05-09 16:25:43 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176035114 All stakeholders. Employers get more engaged employees, students get advanced learning activities, and teachers keep their content fresh and relevant. The institution keep valued employees interested. angielyrette https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176037819 2022-05-09 16:27:21 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176037819 Networking! Professionals should highlight practices and wins and solicit reward and recognition for ed dev participants with more than a certificate. Ask HR to monitize training. angielyrette https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176042180 2022-05-09 16:29:45 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176042180 It should be an academic role. Jovun Groen of UofO noted that teaching helps ed developers "practice what you preach". Service roles may not be able to teach in a formal setting. angielyrette https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176049819 2022-05-09 16:34:22 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176049819 Imposter syndrome. Folks from many different walks of life end up in ED roles. Some have more experience than others. On the one hand, it's great that there is so much flexibility. It's also really helpful because it fosters a diversity of perspectives. At the same time, it can make you feel like a fraud... https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176424016 2022-05-09 20:41:11 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176424016 So much to do, so little time https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176463484 Balancing all the different things that educational developers do is tricky. Perhaps this is why I find it so difficult to define educational development. My work encompasses a broad range and there is not enough time (or mental capacity) to do it all (well)!]]> 2022-05-09 21:19:16 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176463484 Ripple effect https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176465737 While my immediate response is students and instructors, I think educational development work creates a ripple effect that impacts academic and administrative staff and the institution as a whole. ]]> 2022-05-09 21:21:47 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176465737 Getting a seat at the table https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176467721 I agree with what has been shared already. Testimonials, word-of-mouth, networking are all excellent strategies. I wish educational developers can have a seat at the table at important institutional meetings because so much of our work is impacted by institutional shifts and our work also impacts institutional directions.]]> 2022-05-09 21:23:51 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176467721 Role in the eye of the beholder https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176469589 Both, all. I think my work addresses both roles. And while I wish I can spend more time on the academic side, I can see why some instructors (and the institution) likes to think of me as support (period).]]> 2022-05-09 21:25:56 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176469589 I would say the biggest challenge is being valuable for the faculty/professor's teams. Mostly believe that their expert on the teaching area is enough to educate other, and we all know it is not enough. https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176719665 2022-05-10 01:45:27 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176719665 Empower our activities make us visible in institutional meeting; even on their website. https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176725948 2022-05-10 01:50:11 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176725948 Academic position, 100%. https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176728369 All the type of job/activity we do, aligns with academic tasks. It would also help us to get a better prestige with the instructors we work with. ]]> 2022-05-10 01:51:56 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2176728369 Academic role https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177543808 I would agree that it is an academic position. Similar to faculty who inevitably provide some types of service for their students, educational developers perform academic tasks through the action of support/service. What defines a service?]]> 2022-05-10 12:56:41 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177543808 Anonymous https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177751764 All stakeholders - and there are a lot of them, including society in general. Effective teaching translates into engaged, educated citizens.]]> 2022-05-10 14:49:26 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177751764 Self Care https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177786010 We spend so much time supporting others, listening to their concerns, fears, failures, inter-departmental clashes etc. It can be difficult to listen and support faculty through their own feelings. Where do we go for decompression? Who do we talk to about OUR fears and concerns? How do we find place and space to care for our own thoughts and feelings (not to mention our physical health)? ]]> 2022-05-10 15:08:43 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177786010 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177789138 When I explain my role as an ED to folks who have no context, I usually say something along the lines of "if I boil my job down to the bare bones, it is to hopefully make this institution safer and more supportive for students needs. ]]> 2022-05-10 15:10:29 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177789138 As an early career EdDev, I find the range in salary/compensation for these roles very challenging to navigate, especially coming out of a PhD program. It also shows us how much certain institutions value the work that we do over others... https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177869597 2022-05-10 15:56:15 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177869597 Lately, I've noticed how important the work we do is to teaching-stream faculty at my institution, who are often treated as second-class citizens compared to research faculty. My colleagues and I often have quite intense conversations with teaching-stream faculty who are facing enormous pressure to prove their "teaching excellence" to committees comprised of departmental chairs and research faculty. In other words, teaching-stream professors need to prove themselves to colleagues who do very different work at the university and prioritize very different elements in their teaching. Therefore, our conversations not only work as strategy sessions to help them ensure that they meet institutional expectations but also involve a lot of emotional labour to validate the disconnect they feel within their home departments. https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177884560 2022-05-10 16:05:19 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177884560 Haven't we already "done that"? Some faculty seem to think that since they have already learned a few new techniques or technologies that they don't need to continue investing in their skills as educators. https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177892683 2022-05-10 16:10:13 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177892683 Feeling like we need to have the answers to everything! https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177908344 2022-05-10 16:19:50 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177908344 slklassen8 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177943392 Students and instructors.
Instructors need to be encouraged to continually develop and improve their pedagogical skills, adapt to different kinds of learning and learners, and effectively communicate with their students.  When faculty are empowered to do their work well, they better serve student learners.  They can also be more creative, relaxed and approachable.]]> 2022-05-10 16:41:30 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177943392 Beneficiaries nielsend4 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177970320 I agree with all before me and would like to give an example in support. I chair a committee for our College comprised of faculty, CTL, OReg, Advising, Articulation, and Admissions peeps. We look through proposals to ensure they meet all the necessary criteria, for example, pre-reqs and credit numbers. My colleagues are just as vested in student success, good teaching, and the success of the College as I am as the Educational Development. They now also reflect on learning objectives and assessment practices. The work we do, benefits everyone.]]> 2022-05-10 16:57:35 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177970320 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177970755 Educational development should be at heart of any post-secondary institution's strategic planning. Student's more than ever have become careful consumers when discerning a post-secondary institution of study, and that starts in the classroom! If students feel the 'product' [classes taken] are not satisfying their needs, or they didn't get much out of the experience, they move on to another institution who will better address their needs.]]> 2022-05-10 16:57:49 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177970755 Challenging neoliberal and capitalist structures on which universities are founded, along with the white supremacist violence. mandypenney https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177996429 2022-05-10 17:13:08 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177996429 The community benefits in general. But, I see the work of challenging settler-colonial structures as ideally breaking down barriers for equity-denied groups within institutions. mandypenney https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177997713 2022-05-10 17:13:57 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2177997713 I see it as an academic role that translates into relationships, communities, and praxis. mandypenney https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178003489 2022-05-10 17:17:32 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178003489 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178005161 As a university library technician, I see a lot of shared terrain between our work and that of ed dev, which is why I'm attending. Academic library folk tend to describe ourselves as offering an "academic service." To reiterate the meme, why not both? :)]]> 2022-05-10 17:18:35 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178005161 shazia_awan2 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178008889 I think one possible way is to attach EDs with disciplines at the faculty and program level. ]]> 2022-05-10 17:20:49 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178008889 Ambiguity around what the role is. https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178014803 2022-05-10 17:24:29 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178014803 Championing decolonization of curriculum with very little support and power https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178036646 2022-05-10 17:38:19 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178036646 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178049610 Helping faculty and staff, Indigenize their courses or programs. ]]> 2022-05-10 17:46:08 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178049610 https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178050012 My impression (as a non-ED who works with EDs) is that finding "home" can be a real struggle, as it is with so many newer or non-traditional PSE roles. I've watched our TLC change shape, scope, relocate, etc. ]]> 2022-05-10 17:46:23 UTC https://padlet.com/eddevinfo/ds1s5xtp9q3ofkdq/wish/2178050012