Trial and Evaluation of the Roundtable Methodology

1. Trial and Evaluationof theRoundtable Methodology Susi Peacock Catriona Kemp Queen Margaret University College Supporting Further and Higher Education

2. Background • An eighteen month JISC funded research project until March 2002 • http://www.roundtable.ac.uk to trial the: • AAHE TLTG’s (American Association for Higher Education: Teaching, Learning and Technology Group) • http://www.tltgroup.org/ • Roundtable Methodology and Flashlight Program Supporting Further and Higher Education

3. A Roundtable... • Brings together relevant individuals from different groups (those who have and have not implemented technology, academics, library, IT, learning technologists, registry, students) • Aims to optimise the level of informed decision-making and communication • In order to: • Facilitate the meaningful deployment of learning technology • Emphasise the pedagogy not technology • Aid informed financial decision-making Supporting Further and Higher Education

4. Being task focussed and activity related – involving working groups Being a representative and inclusive body Agreeing common goals and a Mission Being appreciative and informed of necessary transformation and preservation NOT being a talk shop, passive or divisive It achieves this by... Supporting Further and Higher Education

5. Who or what does the Roundtable report to? The staff group or staff member who: • Have/has the authority to legitimise and approve the activities of the Roundtables • Acknowledges and progresses the work of the Roundtable and its recommendations • ‘Champions’ and ‘sponsors’ the Roundtable Supporting Further and Higher Education

6. Who initiates and co-ordinates the Roundtable? • Development Team: a representative core of people willing and able to undertake the setting-up and development • Once initiated co-chairs ‘share the burden of leadership and ... provide a visible confirmation of the Roundtable’s commitment to a diverse constituency and membership…’ Supporting Further and Higher Education

7. Supporting Further and Higher Education

8. Summary of Initial Findings: Challenges • Time-consuming in the early stages for the Development Team • Networking • Getting the right people and not alienating others • Fitting into reporting structures • Developing and maintaining momentum • Tasks within Methodology need adapting • No support outwith US for institutions via a ‘Network’ Supporting Further and Higher Education

9. Summary of Initial Findings: Advantages • Ownership and inclusivity • Task-focus helps gradual achievement of long-term visions through medium-term targets and immediate actions • Guided methodology supports efficacy • Realistic: mixture of practical and strategic • Vision into practice (especially in a large organisation) - a ‘tested’ methodology Supporting Further and Higher Education

10. Contacts and Further Information Susi Peacock (Project Leader) speacock@qmuc.ac.uk Catriona Kemp (Project Officer) ckemp@qmuc.ac.uk http://www.roundtable.ac.uk Supporting Further and Higher Education

11. Building ManagedLearning Environmentsin Higher EducationInstitutional Strategy Supporting Further and Higher Education