The next unit I’m about to study is ‘Technologies for Learning’. I’m hoping that this will allow me to build on the knowledge I obtained when I was an Information and Learning Technology Advocate in a previous role. Also, on a daily basis, I regularly use various technologies (such as Moodle), helping both staff and students to get the most out of them. As well as learning about technologies I am already familiar with, I’m sure I will come across new ones while studying this unit, which hopefully I may be able to use within my LCT role – so watch this space!
I’m referring here to the Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies that I’m currently studying. This qualification consists of three units, two of which I have now completed. I had a choice of what to study, and the two that I have recently submitted assignments for were ‘Research Methods in Education’ and ‘Understanding Learners and Learning’ (ULL). It was useful to revisit research methods (having studied it for my Library Masters) as a number of our students are completing their research projects, and so things like validity and reliability, and ethics, are things they need to be thinking about so it has helped in refreshing my memory. By focussing on self-directed/self-regulated learning within adult learning as part of my ULL module, I have been able to apply my reading of various theories to my job within the College. It has been useful to really think about the differences between FE and HE students – they are of varying ages and abilities, and are on a diverse range of courses. One of the key things is that there is an emphasis on independent learning within HE; as a result I’ve started to promote the study skills sessions I run within the Learning Centre. I think these sessions will become even more important when we start getting into the exam season. Another area that I covered in my studies was motivation. As an LCT, I have a big part to play in motivating students – this is not just the job of their lecturers. This made me think about how often a number of IT support sessions that I carry out are with students who have decided to return to education after a number of years. They can sometimes be resistant to technology as they are not familiar with it, and so part of my job is to make them feel more confident and try and engage them to new ways and tools to help them in their studies, hopefully motivating them to carry on long after they have left the Learning Centre. While researching my assignment, I also came across the idea that we should see ourselves as facilitators of student learning. Personalised learning, and taking into account the experiences and backgrounds of our students, is also important, and students from all walks of life bring lots of different skills and ideas to their studies, which in turn affects how they approach their work.
The next unit I’m about to study is ‘Technologies for Learning’. I’m hoping that this will allow me to build on the knowledge I obtained when I was an Information and Learning Technology Advocate in a previous role. Also, on a daily basis, I regularly use various technologies (such as Moodle), helping both staff and students to get the most out of them. As well as learning about technologies I am already familiar with, I’m sure I will come across new ones while studying this unit, which hopefully I may be able to use within my LCT role – so watch this space!
1 Comment
Sue Clayton
3/3/2015 02:41:46 am
Very interesting, thanks Heather
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About meMy name's Heather and I'm a Learning Centre Tutor in an FE/HE College in the South West of England. I am also a CILIP Mentor and welcome enquiries from prospective mentees. I created this blog to keep up to date with my professional development and all things library related. Please note - all views and images are my own, unless stated otherwise. Archives
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