A huge group of educational development specialists, appointed to improve teaching practice at the University, swarmed through the campus. I considered this ‘investment’ a complete waste of money. If there was funding to spare, I felt that it should be directed to supporting research rather than excessive and unnecessary teacher training.

One of these ‘experts’ stopped me in the corridor to ask if I was coming to the latest teaching and learning seminar. I declined politely, using the excuse that I was retired. However, in reality I believed that there was nothing left to learn about engaging students after an academic career of 30+ years.