Listen with Mother? - Page 2 of 2 |
Once upon a time
The Tactics session was interactive, with participants able to benefit from the tutor’s immediate feedback on their ideas.
The medium was particularly well suited to discussion of marketing, as the tutor was able to pick up on recent events. The group discussed the marketing implications of the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
I heard a lot of 'mmm's, as the group demonstrated their abilities in team building and communication (two of those 'soft skills' so valued by employers).
The session would probably have 'flowed' better, and the tutor talked if more than one of three participants had had the handouts in front of them.
That said, this was definitely a tutorial and not a lecture. I felt that coming-together of information, as participants discussed a topic, and arrived collaboratively at the answer.
For the tutorial activities to work best the learners needed to be prepared. Does this mean that it was learner-centred? What options did the tutor have? Should she have allowed the session to dissolve into long silences?
Over the rainbow
For phone tutorials to work, participants need certain conditions. They require a quiet comfortable place, with access to a phone, and no distractions.
And all this at a set time, when the joy of independent study is that it can be done when it suits.
Not only must tutors have excellent communication skills, but learners also must be confident in their own knowledge and have the verbal skills to express it.
The Tactics students were professionals, able to use their employers’ time and facilities.
For other distance learners can the requirements for tele-tutorials make them anything other than an 'over the rainbow' dream?
Happily ever after?
In an ideal world, all independent learners would be able to discuss their subject with peers and tutors.
The telephone is a familiar object and has none of the technical problems of online communication.
Many providers have already seen the potential to give their learners immediate feedback from tutors.
With thought, it could also be used for other sorts of discussion, such as debates and presentations, which would develop other sorts of communication skills. However, it may be particularly suited to academic subjects, and to learners who are capable of verbally expressing complex ideas.
There are no magic wands, but the key to the best distance learning is to find lots of ways to tell the same story.
Elspeth Harrison
If you would like to discuss this innovation with Tactics, or to sit in on a tele-tutorial please contact Fiona Bentley on 020 8313 9317, or at enquiries@tactics.demon.co.uk.
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