17TH OCTOBER 2008

GROUP FEEDBACK

Staff Development Day

Group Discussion Questions

In what practical ways can our programme move towards more self-directed learning using the ideas discussed in Matty’s presentation?

 What can the Self-Access Centre offer:

Me personallyOur programmeOur learners

Feedback – ALSS-Q1

-Heighted awareness of the different generations of the tutors and learners

-Transmission/Transaction/Transformation slide-Most learners expect to be passive learners – a

lot of pre-development work is required to make them independent

-Tutors need to be upskilled on the 2.0 Web to be able to encourage learners e.g. Facebook

-Parents need to be upskilled and aware of content etc

Feedback-ALSS-Q2

a)-You need dedicated long-term resources in order to have a well-resourced SAC

-Tutors need to prepare themselves and be familiar with whatever they are using before learnings come in – esp knowing literacy levels of sites etc

-Staff need a dedicated time built into their work scheduleb)-Distance a problem-NB to encourage e.g. Moyross

centre or a mobile model to allow access for all learners-Learners upskilled to access SAC while waiting for a

class?c)-Tutorial given by SAC worker that would be highly

participative

Feedback – Community Education-Q1

-Internet/Computer programs around visual means of learning e.g. Short film on fly-tying

-No computers in the class to make use of technology

-Resources-overhead projector makes it more visual-Texting would be a very useful tool-Personal safety around usage of e.g. BEBO-Process is NB – highlighting the need for more

value to be placed on informal learning-Web-based forum for learners to interact

Feedback- Community Education-Q2

a)-Access to resources, e.g. photocopying, printing etc-Training for tutors in interactive technologyb)-Improving the physical access to the building-Longer hours-Mobile unit to go out to communities-SAC helps progression and provides guidance-Would centre contact tutors to find out what types of courses

suitable for the types of learnersc)Tutor with laptops go to the community to encourage people to

come in-Providing laptops for the community-Make centre a social gathering point to encourage people in-Communicate with tutors through Learn Local website-Better funding for equipment

Feedback – Prison Education-Q1

-Self-directed learning already in abundance-Learner in prison service is very different-

learning needs to be relevant and effects immediate

-A lot of learning involving prisoner peer teaching

-Use of technology very high where relevant

Feedback- Prison Education-Q2

a)Accessing Internet, email and online services, education websites to download information-no Internet access in prison

b)N/A

c)Resources, online content, useful centre to have in terms of time to drop in and also using the Internet as a tool for lifelong learning. You can’t be interesting unless you are interested yourself – in the learning process, the learners and self-improvement

Feedback – UpSkill-Q1

-Age groups & how they learn-how we need to change

-Interactive Learning-Life Experience of our learners-Reflective practice is vital-Use same material but different classes-Need to move outside our own comfort zone-Issue of access,i.e. Broadband-Peer-to-peer learning

Feedback-UpSkill- Q2

a) - Use resources there to upskill ourselves e.g. Learn a new hobby or expand knowledge on our own expertise.

-Upskill ourselves through using the centre...Join facebook??b)-To promote/advertise the centre and its services. It’s not just

computers in there. -Introduce learners on day one of course, make it part of the

programme.-Support and empower learners in their own learning process (face

group?)-Demistify and make accessiblec)-Incorporate computer skills/literacy into UpSkill’s programme-Promote the programme (website..with tag)-Provides transferrable skills that give us a competitive edge e.g.

Learning to learn

Feedback – VTOS-Q1

-Rapid changes in learning and access to information/knowledge resulting from the technological revolution between 1994-2004.

-Personal willingness to engage with IT negates intergenerational differences.

-Resonance of the presentation for adult education

Feedback-VTOS-Q2

a)-Supported environment where one can learn to use software and technology to upskill, prepare classwork et

-By experiencing the breadth of opportunities of the self-access learning centre, you can promote self-directed learning

b)-Will help to enhance their learning and allow them to experience how much you can learn outside the classroom/without a teacher by providing a well-equipped facility, particularly for those with no home access or facilities.

c)-It should support the development of a culture of self-directed learning for staff and students

-Centre can be used as an added attraction/unique selling point, i.e. Participation on VTOS = access to a self-access learning centre

-The SAC could become the starting point on a progression route including VTOS

Feedback – Youthreach-Q1

-Lots of good teaching practice already happening

-We need to be independent learners ourselves and need to reflect on the learning process in order to promote independent learning in our students

-Need to blend the old with the new-Some subjects lend themselves better to

independent learning

Feedback-Youthreach-Q.2

a)-Staff must make themselves aware of the resources as well as the SAC raising awareness

-Helpful and supportive team-Induction training -Staff would like to review the subject-specific courses and be more familiar with

them-and have a say in what is purchased etc-By using facilities, promotes culture of independent learning among staffb)-Concerns around learners, e.g. Child protection-An excellent space to promote independent learning for individual students-

break-away from Teachers-Space would encourage students/learners to reflect on learning that is relevant

and important to them-Good for YR learners to feel they have succeeded as independent learners(to

self-reflect on their own success builds up self-esteem)

c)-Enhances programme provision

-Need to look at how our outreach centres will tap into this with ease