Consultancy and mentoring for change in a complex organisation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Setting\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Church of England, Birmingham, runs a bid-funded project called Leadership Pathways, which trains future leaders. It is a collection of blended courses hosted on Moodle. Since its inception, the project has gone through several phases of development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The courses under the Pathways banner were originally delivered face to face. During a period of restructuring and development, the organisation decided to adapt them so they could be delivered part online and part face to face (blended learning). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sam Hudson is the Learning Pathways Coordinator, tasked with the job of transitioning the courses into the new, blended format. Sam had no previous background in teaching, course design, or pedagogy, so she needed a sounding board and mentor who could guide her through the practical demands of the project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To this end, she was introduced to Simon as an educational specialist with expertise in Moodle. Someone who could come alongside for the journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At first, Sam asked Simon to support her as a technologist, working mainly on the code for the Moodle site. This was a successful arrangement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, the organisation recognised that the Leadership Pathway courses needed a learning designer and educationalist to give hands-on support over the longer term. Recognising Simon\u2019s value to the organisation the conversations shifted from \u2018how can we do X?\u2019 to \u2018How do you think we should address specific learning design problems?\u2019. This was a far bigger task. Rather than asking Simon to perform practical technology-related tasks, Sam and her team now asked Simon to advise on all aspects of course design. He was now a key voice in the course redesign process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While working on the design aspects of courses, Simon mentored Sam so that she could carry on without him. He trained her in some html code and aspects of learning design. \u2018This is typical of Simon\u2019s generous approach to training\u2019, she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon also continued to be the \u2018expert in the room\u2019 for organisational course design meetings for the full suite of courses offered by Birmingham diocese, including an Unconscious Bias course and Reader ministry training course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The impact of working with Simon\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon\u2019s impact is hard to put into words, says Sam. Basically, without Simon \u2018the course wouldn\u2019t be any good!\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sam had felt ill-equipped for the role at first, but with Simon\u2019s support and training she soon became able not only to function but also to flourish. The knock-on effect on the organisation has been huge. What Sam learned from Simon she has been able to pass on to the diocese, a sort of trickle down effect from Simon, through Sam, to the organisation as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What it\u2019s like to work with Simon?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Simon has a collaborative approach coupled with a genuine curiosity\u2019, says Sam. He gives all of himself to the work at hand, wanting to be fully involved. This, Sam says, is because he values long term professional relationships. \u2018He\u2019s very attentive and knowledgeable\u2019, she adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the traits of a good consultant is the ability to provide options. Simon is great at listening and then exploring possibilities and solutions, but without being prescriptive. \u2018He\u2019s always open. Always interested\u2019 and is \u2018incredibly generous with his skills and knowledge\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Would I recommend Simon? He\u2019s my go-to person for all matters in educational technology and learning design\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n