4. Developing a Community Wenger (1998) New scheme so opportunity to work together to shape group All engaged with learning and teaching and understand needs of City Share similar issues and already involved with LDC
There were a range of activities for staff who had shown an interest and a commitment to enhancing learning and teaching. These included: Associate Deans Education Staff undertaking the MA Academic Practice Programme A range of projects such as Learning Development Projects and the Education Development Associate scheme National Teaching Fellows Seminar programme We did not however have anything to provide that sense of community and belonging.
Central drive was to enhance Learning and Teaching across the University and where the Fellows could share their knowledge and expertise and encourage new ideas (Barrett et al 2004 & Brown and Duguid 2000). Membership of communities is often through self selection and whilst we had selected those who were eligible to join they had to accept this invitation (Barrett et al 2004 &Wenger & Snyder 2000). We were aware that for this to be successful we had to provide Wenger’s (1998) Three dimensions for a supportive coherent community which are: a joint enterprise mutual engagement in interaction on shared issues a shared repertoire of words, tools and issues The Fellowship scheme was new and so they could shape this as a group. There was a shared agenda and similar issues that needed to be addressed. Their previous involvement with the centre meant that they already had a shared language and some tools.
Recognition event at the Showcase where the certificates were awarded Workshop with members from the relevant HEA subject centres to encourage/set up links Survey to ask them what they would like to gain from being a fellow and what they would like to contribute