Making it happen
In this Section of the guide the key lessons on leading and managing change in this aspect of higher education are brought together. It is here that we address the issue of ‘what do we do on Monday’ to get productive action on the ‘6 rights’ agenda and how can we most productively tackle the twin challenges of ‘good ideas with no ideas on how to implement them are wasted ideas’ and ‘change doesn’t just happen but must be led, and deftly’.
- Are we clear about the key lessons on how to take a ‘good idea’ for improving learning, teaching and assessment and make sure it is successfully and consistently put into practice and sustained?
- What are the key capabilities that effective change leaders possess and how can I apply these to supporting effective change in this aspect of higher education?
- How do I judge that I am doing a good job as local leader in this area?
- What gives you satisfaction and what causes frustration in your role as a local leader in this area?
- How can I best improve my capabilities as a local change leader?
- What role does networked learning, support and benchmarking play in supporting effective change implementation and the identification of proven solutions to key change challenges in this area?
Whereas earlier sections in the guide have looked at what, in the view of those involved in the Fellowship, might best be done in practical ways to assure the quality of achievement standards and assessment in our universities and colleges what follows is practical, proven advice on how we might best engage all staff and students with making sure this change agenda is actually successfully put into daily practice, both consistently and sustainably.
In looking at exactly how local higher education leaders and their colleagues might best support the successful implementation of the agenda outlined in the earlier sections of the guide five dimensions of a comprehensive and effective approach to higher education change implementation and leadership were explored in the Fellowship workshops:
- First, we reviewed the research and experience on effective change leadership and implementation in higher education.
- Second, we identified some of the key challenges that need to be negotiated effectively when seeking to enact the ‘six keys’ agenda.
- Third, we identified the change strategies that might best be used to address the recurring implementation challenges identified by participants and compared these with the research on successful change implementation in universities and colleges.
- Fourth, we reflected on what individual capabilities and competencies are necessary for effective local leadership in the area and compared our perspective with the extensive research already undertaken on effective change leadership in higher education.
- Fifth, we identified what forms of learning support would be most beneficial to assist local L&T leaders and their staff to further enhance their capabilities in the area and compared this with the existing research on the most productive approaches to staff development in our universities and colleges. In doing this particular attention was given to how best to use peer support, networked learning and the consolidated, searchable clearing house on the area.
To jump to any one of the dimensions of effective change leadership and implementation listed above simply click on the relevant box below
