For the first couple of days it was a struggle, there was such a lot going on it was like bumping al

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For the first couple of days it was a struggle,
there was such a lot going on it was like bumping
along the bottom. But when it came together I
was amazed at what I could do and what I could
achieve.
The benefits were evident from the first day,
knowing that the frustrations from each day could
be ironed out. There was also a chance to build
on successes and get immersed in things.
I probably wouldnt have volunteered but now Id
definitely get involved and encourage others to
get involved.
The retreat exceeded my expectations not just in
what I achieved but in what the overall group
managed to do
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Retreating our way forward?
An evaluation of innovative staff development in
e-learning
Shane Sutherland eLearning Mentor Centre for
Learning and Teaching University of
Wolverhampton sams_at_wlv.ac.uk
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• What will I be covering?
• The background to the retreat
• The planning of the retreat
• Delivering the retreat
• Evaluating the retreat
• but first

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E-learning should be a learning experience, not a
reading experience. Simply putting
existing teaching materials, notes or PowerPoint
slides on the Web does not amount
to e-learning BLASS, E. and DAVIS, A. (2003,
p.229)
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Internal pressures include expanding student
numbers, widening access to learners from
non-traditional backgrounds, student expectations
of a high-quality learning experience both on and
off campus, and an increasingly competitive
educational environment. CREANOR, L.
LITTLEJOHN, A. (2000, p.271)
'we've got to catch up, we've got to recognize
that society's changing, the kids are coming in
more expert than the teachers' STEEL, J. and
HUDSON, A. (2001, p.106)
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Corporate Staff Development doesn't work very
well because you need support when you get back
to your office. There isn't the time on the
course to understand things enough
Basically, its not fun. Its not relevant.
Its not in the right place, and its not at
the right time.
I have attended a WOLF workshop before but when
I got back to work I found it impossible to find
the time to pursue
It is paced too slowly - you have an hours talk
and then you basically sit down and work through
the book. The book is the best thing!
People tend not to engage with Corporate Staff
Development . They don't engage as in they don't
go and when they're there they don't engage.
It's too slow and you just work through a book.
Time is always an issue afterwards
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Countdown to the Retreat The idea of a retreat
was presented to the Dean of Learning and
Teaching in September Deans of all Schools were
notified of our intentions at the beginning of
October LT committees were asked to nominate a
member of staff who was responsible for a module
or subject by the end of October The pre-retreat
meeting took place in mid-November The retreat
was held during the first week of December.
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The Issues and Logistics Find 10 academics who
could organise a whole week out of
university Find a small, reasonably local hotel
with broadband internet access that we could take
over for a week Transport ourselves and our
equipment to the hotel then create an effective
and efficient workspace Persuade the participants
to create plans, write aims and outcomes and
develop materials using skills they didnt yet
have whilst feeling loved and cherished.
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Did they feel loved and cherished?
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The most valuable thing for me was that I'm
quite comfortable with technology I was able to
do quite a lot for myself. The value was
therefore in having the time to do what I wanted,
too experiment, no distractions or other time
pressures. If that translates to the need for
the retreat to be a retreat i.e. away from work
then that was really valuable. there are
members of the university that have the same
problems with creating on-line material and that
with application and help anything is possible!
others feel the same way that I do about the
power and possibility for harnessing technology
to support learning. It was inspirational being
immersed in a 'community' who have given me the
confidence to believe even more in the
development of this teaching and learning tool.
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There was loads of peer supporting/coaching. All
learned from each other. Peer support and
technical expertise was available at all times to
cope with frustrations and refresh on the ways to
do things. For the first couple of days it was a
struggle, there was such a lot going on it was
like bumping along the bottom. Mon/Tues
intensive mind boggling! Overload by Weds but
Weds was the crucial day for many of us. Weds
was the day to walk, felt lost. Group pulled
together on Weds and dragged each other thru the
wall but when it came together I was amazed at
what I could do and what I could achieve.