Reflections on the IPDA Ireland seminar: From the inside looking in

It may seem like a distant memory for many, but 20th February 2019 marked a significant date for the newly reformed IPDA Ireland committee. It was the date when we hosted the first of our events: a seminar entitled ‘Re-imagining professional learning in the Irish context: A space for critical conversations around professional development and learning. When the committee met before the seminar, our Chair, Fiona King, suggested that a committee member would write a blog following the event. An image of Richard Branson’s quote (that had appeared on my LinkedInfeed earlier that day) sprung to mind; ‘If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!’ and I offered to contribute. This post is based on my reflection on my own feelings and observations of being part of the committee that hosted the seminar; someone who was on the inside looking in. 

I am a Further Education teacher in Marino College of Further Education, which is a part of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board. I attend any and every conference and seminar that I can. When there, I try to take in every bit of information possible and usually tweet throughout. However, this occasion was different. Now, I am part of the hosting committee and must contribute, with the added responsibility of writing this blog afterwards. Although I have experienced imposter syndrome on many occasions, this seminar embodied it for me. I often feel out of place when attending events comprised mainly of academics and lecturers working in Higher Education. As a committee, however, we worked hard to ensure that this event had something for everyone, and that the topics and the format would be relevant, regardless of the sector that anyone was working in. With this being our first seminar, we had no idea what to expect and setting the tone for future events was important.

The layout and structure of the seminar was highly interactive and inclusive. Each of the three presenters presented one slide and spoke for only five minutes. This was followed by group discussions, providing small, diverse groups of participants with ample opportunities to digest the content and to bring their own observations, ideas, perspectives and reflections to the conversation. This format was intended to be welcoming, inclusive and participatory, and the buzz in the room certainly revealed how we had achieved that aim. My table had participants from Higher Education as well as someone studying to teach in the Further Education sector. I could identify with the topics presented and everyone at our table had the opportunity to participate fully and equally, resulting in a richness of engagement and debate which was enthralling. It encouraged me to contribute, to respectfully challenge and not to hide. Having a voice at the small group stage ensured my safety in expressing my thoughts, but it also encouraged me to share my own opinions with the room at large – something I never thought I would do when I walked into the seminar. As an insider looking in, I concluded that the thought processes that went into the choice of speakers and topics under consideration, in addition to the overall format of the evening, would bring even the most reluctant teacher into the room, and give them a place and a space to contribute and to have those contributions valued.  

We have an upcoming full weekend of Twitter conversations which we will host from 5pm on Friday 10th May to 5pm on Sunday 12th May 2019 where we hope to engage as many educators as possible in stimulating and thought-provoking conversations around professional development through our IPDA Ireland Twitter account. Please follow us and feel free to send us a tweet, tag us, retweet us…. converse with us at any time! We would especially like to hear of other conferences and seminars you may have attended which were particularly inclusive and welcoming – tell us about the format and what you found so interesting about it. We will be hosting more seminars and will keep you all updated through social media about dates and details, so don’t forget to spread the word and be part of the continuing #ProfessionalConversations. 

Author: Carrie Archer, carriearcher@marinocollege.ie.