In my role as a Learning Technologist, effective communication and collaboration are essential. My work involves interacting with a wide range of individuals, including academics, visiting lecturers, teaching assistants, fellow learning technologists, IT staff, and programme managers and coordinators. This submission reflects on key projects, highlighting my strategies and growth in communication and working with diverse teams.
The rapidly evolving landscape of educational technology demands clear communication to ensure that all stakeholders can effectively leverage new tools and methodologies. My role often requires bridging the gap between technical expertise and pedagogical needs, demanding clear and adaptable communication strategies.
In my latest role, I have the dual responsibilities of being the Digital Education School Partner for the School of Psychology (PSYCH) and a Learning Technologist within the Digital Education (DigEd) team at the Learning and Teaching Academy (LTA). My primary role as the school partner involves working closely with the school's Director of Learning and Teaching (DLT) to guide and support both staff and students in effectively integrating digital education into their daily educational activities.
Transitioning to this role presented unique challenges, notably managing the diverse expectations and reservations of various stakeholders. It was essential to employ my negotiation and communication skills to mitigate any concerns and facilitate understanding across different groups.
I have engaged with numerous academic groups—ranging from the Digital Strategy Group to the Board of Study—to pinpoint areas where knowledge was lacking, and to understand their training needs and support requirements. Currently, my efforts are concentrated on evaluating and refining the school's coursework and assignment submission processes.
Digital Strategy Group (DSG) Meetings
My main engagement method is through the monthly DSG meetings, which include a wide range of representatives from the school, such as the school manager, DLT, engaged academics, Digital programme administrator, IT and Professional Service (PS) team managers. These meetings provide a platform to discuss Digital Education-related topics, allowing me to:
Director of Learning and Teaching (DLT) and Key Academics
I maintain close contact with the DLT and key academics via email and ad hoc meetings. However, I've learned that the DLT's busy schedule often limits their availability to help with the distribution of information. To address this challenge, I've adjusted my strategy by involving alternative key contacts within the school to help disseminate information and facilitate communication with the rest of the school.
Professional Service Team
When working with the professional service team, it's essential for me to understand their workflows in detail. My aim is to help them adopt new tools and improve their processes with minimal disruption. I arrange one-on-one meetings with individuals to understand their challenges and provide support for both staff and students. I also draft tailored training plans to help the team understand new tools and features, thereby improving their overall workflow.