Professional academic development through professional journal dialogue

Abstract

This paper presents the cooperative analysis by a lecturer and an academic development practitioner of a reflective journal dialogue over the 12 weeks of teaching a postgraduate course. Through a retrospective analysis of the journal the present paper explores the following issues: the framing of an inquiry; the personal–professional nexus; and tensions in professional academic practice. These issues encompass educational dilemmas for both the lecturer and the academic development practitioner in the areas of assessment, judgement, evidence, accountability, responsibility, authority and professionalism.

Keywords:

• reflective journal
• teaching development
• academic development
• professional practice

Acknowledgements

Damian would like to acknowledge a Visiting Fellowship in Educational Development at the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 2010, which provided the time and milieu to develop the present paper.

Notes

1. This paper is based on Ruth, D.W., & Naidoo, K. (2005, July). Mutual reflections on a professional dialogue in academic development: Framing the inquiry, the personal–professional nexus and educational tensions. Paper presented at the Annual International HERDSA Conference, ‘Higher Education in a changing world’, Sydney, Australia.