MEDEV

School of Medical Sciences Education Development

Introduction

A look at the different resources available from the Staff and Educational Development Association, particularly useful for those involved in staff development.

The Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) produces a wide range of useful resources for those involved in staff development. SEDA papers are comparatively compact publications, typically about one hundred to one hundred and fifty pages long, which explore aspects of good practice in relation to the staff development process, and to learning and teaching.

There are SEDA papers on personal development planning, student induction, active learning strategies in seminars and good practice in working with international students.

The Active Learning in Seminars: Humanities paper consists of a pack of 12 resource cards for teachers and tutors suggesting a variety of ways in which seminars can be made more interesting. Ideas covered include games, group work suggestions, role play etc.

Student support

There are also several papers on the very interesting possibilities of using students to support students.

These include a review of the practical implications of introducing peer assessment, a do-it-yourself guide to promoting peer assisted learning designed for students and an outline and an evaluation of the different types of peer tutoring systems.

Not surprisingly SEDA also produces papers directly focused on the staff development process itself. For example, Staff Development in Action is a collection of workshops designed in a very practical style and including photo-copiable OHTs for use in staff training and development.

Leading Academic Programmes and Courses: developments in roles, practices and in-house training is another useful staff development resource. Its main focus is on 'definitions and suggested good practices for the work of a variety of leaders in HE.

Monographs

In addition to their papers SEDA also produce a series of somewhat shorter monographs - typically less than fifty pages - designed for wide circulation amongst teaching staff. These address a variety of very practical issues for teachers.

There are monographs on teaching large groups and small groups, on assessment, using educational media, developing reflection skills, equal opportunities and on how to enhance student learning.

They are also available collected together in several packs, combining a number or related monographs and available at discounted rates for buying larger numbers. For example the Lecturers Pack 1 contains five of the monograph and is available with a significant discount if more than ten packs are purchased.

Journals

SEDA also publish two quarterly journals. The Educational Developments Magazine (ISSN: 1469-3297) aims to explore key issues in depth. Recent articles have looked at embedding learning and technologies, the idea of scholarship and constructivist principles and conditions for learning.

The other journal is Innovations in Education and Teaching International (ISSN: 1470-3297), which is a refereed journal covering a range of teaching and learning issues.

Books

Finally, SEDA publish a series of books through Routledge Falmer. These include A Guide to Staff and Educational Development, edited by Peter Kahn from the University of Manchester and David Baume from the Open University.

Another interesting title is Managing Educational Development Projects which is edited by Paul Martin, Carole Baume from the Open University and Mantze York from Liverpool John Moores University.

Although most of the SEDA resources are generic they include a substantial range of materials which can be adapted to the medical, dentistry and veterinary context.

They are definitely worth a look if you have a staff development role within your institution and/or if you are seeking to deepen your own understanding of educational theory and practice.