{"id":5291,"date":"2017-05-16T11:07:52","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T11:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/cel\/?p=5291"},"modified":"2017-05-17T12:28:54","modified_gmt":"2017-05-17T12:28:54","slug":"being-a-magic-weaver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/flie\/2017\/05\/16\/being-a-magic-weaver\/","title":{"rendered":"Being a magic weaver"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the recently held\u00a0Service Excellence Conference 2017, Sir John Jones drew on his book \u201cThe magic-weaving business: finding the heart of learning and teaching\u201d<\/em> to inspire attendees to become agents of lasting change.<\/p>\n

Being a magic weaver may be considered not limited to individuals who can make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of people. University departments could also become magic weavers involved in the business of making a positive impact on the institution and its members. In this light, we at the \"\"<\/a>Centre for Excellence in Learning (CEL) at Bournemouth University can draw some useful lessons from Sir John Jones\u2019s idea. For instance, Jones (2009) noted that being a magic weaver is not all about what you believe, what you say but also what you do (p.17). This suggests maintaining a narrow or non existence gap between policies we believe in and talk about and evidencing best practices.<\/p>\n

CEL, being a hub of energy, enthusiasm and talent in pedagogy, established to make a significant contribution to enhancing the student learning experience at BU represents a clear intent. However, in taking on the role of a magic weaver, we must continue to dream, have self-efficacy, exercise passion, righteous indignation and wisdom as we continually seek to bring about positive change in the experience of our students.<\/p>\n

Jones (2009) also noted that magic weavers can sometimes be referred to as Threshold Adventurers \u2013 people who are \u2018crazy\u2019 enough to believe they can effect a meaningful change and actually go on to bring about one. At a seminar during the Service Excellence Conference, some participants brainstormed on what it might take to become a Threshold Adventurer or Magic Weaver. They came out with the following elements which might inspire us to become agents of lasting\u00a0change:<\/p>\n

Define your\u00a0path to excellence<\/strong><\/p>\n