Five Ways to Manage Change
This article discusses action research that was conducted by the authors in a rural college and involved a group of teachers who were grappling with a new reality: distance education. To help these individuals master new instructional strategies more suited to the situation and student needs, the researchers had them participate in a professional-cooperation group that provided personalized support. The goal of this study was, in addition to promoting the adoption of new teaching practices by participants, to describe the change-management process implemented and determine which methods were most effective. The authors first summarize the research context, then explore in greater detail their findings (in the shape of five recommendations) on how to ensure the success of change management. Although this particular project was aimed at teachers, several components of the process can apply to any change-management situation, whether it affects students, colleagues, professionals, the administration, or other parties. Study outcomes make it possible to make any process involving change management and the mastery of innovative practices more efficient, and should help higher-learning stakeholders enhance the quality of their classroom techniques.
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