Since early November we have been communicating with a number of tutors in the WEA to examine the possibility of creating a 'tutor network' for the Association. The WEA has over 2500 tutors contracted each year to deliver it's work across England. What do they think of the organisation and their role within it? We have met a small number of tutors, been in e-mail contact with a larger number and have commissioned a small survey from the University of the West of England to help us explore the issues for tutors and the possibilities offered by new media - such as this blog.
There are a number of common themes that have emerged. Tutors value their independence and the possibility of working creatively with adult students. They are strongly committed to the ethos and purpose of the WEA. They are concerned that the Association's distinctive work is being eroded by the demands of state regulation - and they think the paperwork is more demanding than is required of them when teaching for other providers.
You can read the University of West of England report here
The tutor network is open to all WEA tutors. You can listen to some brief clips of what some tutors I've met in this process say about the WEA here:
On "what difference our work, and your teaching, makes to individuals and communities." - I teach ICT to residents of the local YMCA. The feedback which I regularly get revolves around improved self confidence at least as much as improved ICT skills.
Posted by: Sian Rolls | 02/29/2008 at 10:36 PM
What a good idea Siddique has, here. Clips from a wide range of learners on the WEA site - and elsewhere?, could help to raise the public profile of the WEA.
We've always recognised that 'word of mouth' is successful in recruiting more students. The internet does offer us a new way of doing that.
Posted by: Susan Love | 02/07/2008 at 12:44 PM
Nice to hear the audio clips. we should do more of these - especially learners.
Posted by: Siddique Hussain | 02/06/2008 at 01:20 PM