What is it?
In the rapid pace of this term, Graphic Communication Design Programme Director Rebecca Ross knew that the programme teams need time to take stock and look ahead. She decided to facilitate reflective discussions using structured prompts and devise new mechanisms for colleagues to share their teaching and learning practice.
Reflective practice aims to ‘bring experiences into focus from as many angles as possible: people, place, relationships, timing, chronology, causality, connections, [and] the social and political context.’[1]
How does it work?
These sessions are short and focused. In their first reflective session, the GCD teams considered the following:
- Aspects of the courses that feel important to deliver face-to-face, even in a socially distant form, and why,
- Aspects of the courses that work or could work (as well or better) online, and why,
- Other ideas / comments / considerations.
In the next session, the teams will consider:
- One benefit or gain that has come from digital team-working,
- One issue / problem / question about digital team-working and a practical suggestion to address how we might change our approaches.
The teams share the notes from each session, and practical changes are implemented immediately or incorporated into planning for the autumn term.
What difference does it make?
Rebecca highlights that these exercises have helped the teams to focus on meaningful change and their values in a time of considerable unknowns. This format also makes space for reviewing the programme’s strategic values and considering how students’ wants and needs are changing.
What can we learn from this?
Reflective practice is at the centre of teaching and learning. It promotes compassionate and collaborative dialogue, and is helping the GCD teams to think in the medium and long term during times of change and uncertainty. Making time for reflection helps to surface emotions, unpack complexities and review the decisions we have made under time pressure. We can pursue reflective practice in short, targeted sessions, as GCD have done.
[1] Bolton, G. (2014), Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development, Sage Publishing, p7
In Practice is a blog series dedicated to innovative learning and teaching practices happening at Central Saint Martins.
Do you want to share a story here? We want to hear from you. Contact Annabel Crowley for more information.