Monday 13 June 2016

Keith's first law of change

Put very simply Keith's first law of change is:


Many times in my career I have encountered fixed opinions, unyielding ideas and entrenched positions - all held quite genuinely in the belief that the holder of the idea is absolutely correct.  The phrase "But we've always done it like that" is often heard but rarely followed up by "..so let's think about change".

Barriers can come in different forms: regulations, finance (lack of) and most often - people. People are afraid of change as it introduces risk and so they steadfastly defend the status quo.

Take, as an example, the "capture" of University lectures. Students believe that these are always good but  academics have other viewpoints. Available research shows a lack of clarity on learning benefit or even on the impact on lecture attendance but, used selectively, Lecture Capture (LC) can improve student engagement, support students with particular needs, and can even improve student satisfaction temporarily, until it is accepted as an expected norm.

Changing the paradigm is essential. LC as a part of a blended learning experience is a positive step forward. Simply capturing the current face to face lectures is not enough. We must also change the expectations of students and academics about how course materials are delivered.

So, let's not simply expand LC, let's change way we teach and go around the objections many staff raise as barriers.

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