Yesterday in Chesterfield 12 WEA tutors met with me to help thrash out ideas to develop a tutor network. It was a very enjoyable event and we came up with many ideas.
There was a positive view about establishing what will mostly be a virtual network. They agreed I should continue with this blog and we should look at building the network through e-mails, access to the WEA's Virtual Learning Environment (WEAVLE) and subject related teleconferences.
Keeping things practical as well as getting information on educational issues in the WEA was important. We looked at the position of WEA tutors and there seemed to be a consensus that, although sometimes an isolated role, the WEA tutor has an independence that is valued within an organisation that they identify with - beyond being their employer.
I'll be discussing the issues raised with colleagues over the next week and, from then, hope to contact more people about how this may develop.
Sounds like a great idea, would like to region meetings for tutors but also national skills for life numeracy network
Posted by: Trevor Guilliatt | 02/29/2008 at 11:57 AM
This is really interesting to hear about. I'd love to have something similar for Skills for Life tutors in the West Yorks area.
Posted by: Judith Boardman | 01/28/2008 at 11:30 AM
Interested to hear about what happened at the Chesterfield day.
I hope that the network will:
a. Enable tutors to share ideas.
b. Keep the idea alive of studying something for its own sake.
c.Help tutors to offer excellent courses of study that treat students as serious learners.
Posted by: Susan Love | 01/09/2008 at 10:18 AM
As one of the tutors attending this meeting I would like to concur with Peter's comments. I recommend that more tutors should try to join in with the group working on the tutor network. Thank you, Peter, and all the other attendees for a most interesting and enjoyable day. Thanks also to WEA Chesterfield for their hospitality.
Posted by: Geoff Wallis | 12/07/2007 at 10:01 PM