At Academic Colleges Group Tertiary & Careers (TCG), we recognise the importance of student-centred, innovative classes across a wide variety of vocational programmes. Therefore, there has been concerted effort put into providing engaging lessons in a blended environment. This presentation will be of interest to those who are supporting tutors to deliver engaging lessons and implementing change in methodology to include technology in a face to face environment. During our session, we will unpack the threefold functions of the Tutor Lounge as described above, and share our experiences of tutor uptake. We will give participants the opportunity to see how we structured our development area in Blackboard, as well as ask questions and discuss strategies to overcome/implement possible issues.

1. Sonya McIlroy & Gabriela Berto
Blending the Tutor Lounge

2. Line up
• Blackboard is most useful as a repository.• Lectures are the most effective way of teaching.• Tutors value learning new tools for the classroom.• Blackboard is not suitable in a face to face learning environment.• Professional development of tutors works best in a face to face
environment.

3. A week in the life of tutor development…

4. A week in the life of tutor development…

5. A week in the life of tutor development…

6. A week in the life of tutor development…

7. A week in the life of tutor development…

8. A week in the life of tutor development…

9. A week in the life of tutor development…

10. A week in the life of tutor development…

11. A week in the life of tutor development…

12. A week in the life of tutor development…

13. What do you think our top 3 challenges are based on
the pictures?

14. Challenges
- time constraints (us and tutors)
- travelling (six cities)
- tutors’ varied needs (different skills)
- rolling out initiatives (Blackboard, etc.)
- buy-in (organisation wide, not top down, relevant)
- perception (police or support?)

15. Tutor Lounge

16. Tutor Lounge

17. Tutor Lounge

18. Tutor Lounge

19. Solutions
- Time constraints – own pace
- Travel - reduced
- Varied needs – more available
- Initiative rollout – models best practice
- Buy-in – communication and tool-sharing
- Perception - development

20. Outcomes
Engaged
in PD
Not
engaged
in PD
BEFORE BB
Engaged
in PD
AFTER BB
Not
Engaged
in PD

21. Summary
• PD of tutors works best in a face to face
environment.
• Lectures are the most effective way of teaching.
• Blackboard is most useful as a repository.
• Tutors value learning new tools for the classroom.
• Blackboard is not suitable for a face to face
learning environment.
• PD of tutors works best in a blended
environment.
• Lectures are NOT the most effective way of teaching.
• Blackboard is NOT most useful as a repository.
• Blackboard IS suitable for a face to face learning
environment.
• Tutors value learning new tools for the classroom.

22. How does / could technology enhance professional
development in your organisation?
Share your experience with someone from
another organisation.

23. Thank you
sonya.mcilroy@acgedu.com
gabriela.berto@acgedu.com