[lace] Lacemaking classes
Dear Christine, You sound so frustrated over the whole situation. By the sounds of it, you do have a session plan - it just isn't what Ofsted expect to see. You provide your students with a basic framework to develop the skills they need, as well as the opportunity to make something of their own choice within their capabilities. Your session plan is to meet the individual needs of the lacemakers in the class. Your course planning for learning is in the long term, and this is where you plan their learning. The session content is dependant on the students' aptitude and opportunity to work between classes. You have to be flexible in order to meet needs, but you know that at some point you will teach student A how to join lace for example, but when it will be is outside your control, as it depends on when she has got to that point in the course.It is actually much harder than running a session where you are teaching everyone the same thing. The benefits are that students can pick up skills at a rate which is right for them, and do not have to try and take in information which is either not yet relevant to them, or they already know. One of the problems with education is that it seems to apply the idea that you need to teach everyone exactly the same thing, in the same sort of way, preferably at the same time. There is no allowance for flexibility. You have found a method of running a class, which suits the students, and they are doing well. Why change what does not need fixing? If Ofsted are not careful, it won't be long before colleges are unable to offer courses of unusual skills, and all that will be left are things like card making - where everyone is making exactly the same thing at the same time. I was talking yesterday to a young girl who had recently been taken out of school, at a get together for home educating families. The activity was junk modelling. I was told that she was really enjoying it, though she had hated the activity at school. The difference was that at school, she had to follow the teachers plan to make her model. Yesterday she had the opportunity to use a range of resources in whatever way she liked, having been given a brief idea of possibilities with the resources available. Karen In Coventry, England Who has found home educated girls are interested in making lace. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.7.1 - Release Date: 09/03/2005 - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Lacemaking classes
Many thanks to everyone who emailed me regarding Ofsted inspection of lace classes. It was good to get so much advice from those who had already been through it! I'm sorry that I haven't had time to reply to you all individually (too much paperwork to do!). I was inspected this week. The inspector, who specialized in textiles (and had done a one-day workshop in lace!) spent about 30 mins going through my paperwork and making notes. I tried to explain that I didn't have a session plan, as it is impossible to know at what stage each student will be (ie if they have had time to reach that corner etc), or even which piece of lace they will bring in (some have more than one piece on the go and bring in whichever they are stuck on-or just fancy doing). I tried to explain that my students work through a sequence of patterns, each introducing new techniques, and that I kept a record of where they were at. She then went and spoke to each student. They were brilliant, showing her their files of samples, and she seemed very interested. Then she asked me to go outside for some feedback. These are the main points, it is important to keep this craft alive my beginners are learning very quickly my advanced students are producing exceptionally high quality lace I am flexible, allowing students to digress from the programme if there is something they wish to make, and that I judge them capable of tackling so far so good (I was beginning to relax) BUT I must have a session plan! although my students are learning, I am not planning their learning! I asked her to explain, as I just could not understand what she was saying. She got very red and agitated and said she was not allowed to give advice, I must speak to my line manager. I repeated that I was not asking for advice, but did not understand, she just said that her time was up and scuttled off to Dressmaking! I have asked my manager to explain it all when she gets her report. Apparently I will be graded, but not permitted to know my grade! Its like some sort of secret society. My students have been most supportive and if necessary we will set up a private class. I'm sorry this has been such a long message, but I feel much better having got it off my chest! Best wishes Christine (Oxford) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [lace] Lacemaking classes
I asked her to explain, as I just could not understand what she was saying. She got very red and agitated and said she was not allowed to give advice, I must speak to my line manager. I repeated that I was not asking for advice, but did not understand, she just said that her time was up and scuttled off to Dressmaking! I have asked my manager to explain it all when she gets her report. Apparently I will be graded, but not permitted to know my grade! Its like some sort of secret society. Far be it from me to advise you regarding your job but you might like to have a read of the Freedom of Information Act which was first introduced in 2000 http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/2036.htm and which has now been updated and fully implemented to include the General Right of Access for all Information by public authorities which only came into force in January this year. http://www.cfoi.org.uk/foi311204pr.html You will have to check the facts but I believe that providing you only want information about yourself and you submit the request in writing you are entitled to find out information that is kept on file about yourself and they must submit it to you within 20 working days. Non Illegitimi Carborundum (Don't let the B*ds Grind You) Best of luck Jane Bawn PortchesterUK - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Lacemaking classes
On 2 Feb 2005, at 23:14, Elizabeth Pass wrote: Yes, we had an Ofsted inspection last year, and they didn't like what they saw, although that was on the admin side of things. As a result of the inspection, either before or after, lots of tutors in all sorts of areas, did not renew their contracts. Nothing would make me teach lace for Adult Ed. because of all the paperwork needed. I really can't see how it is possible to do individual lesson plans, assessment records etc for bobbin lace, knowing the speed that the work progresses. I too work in Adult Education - teaching lacemaking at Rochester (Medway Council) and in the Admin office in Gravesend (Kent County Council) - the lace class there dropped below (their) viable numbers two years ago. Both councils have their ALI inspections coming up in the next couple of months and lots of people are running round in circles and getting their knickers in a twist! I've got other things to do so I'm not getting too steamed up about it all. As far as all the paperwork for the Medway classes go I have a very broad scheme of work which would take a good student quite a few years to complete and the average one a lifetime! The course outline says that students will (be able to) make a piece of lace according to their ability and that help and advice is given as necessary. I record progress with digi photos printed onto cheap paper - my owm camera and printer :( It does show which students do homework and progress and which ones don't! I don't try to write individual lesson plans. If the inspectors don't like what I'm doing then it's tough! I can't see any other way of doing it, and I'm not alone. Tutors from all areas are complaining about mountains of paperwork and lack of resources. Brenda http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/paternoster/ - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [lace] Lacemaking classes
Hi there, I dropped out of teaching for the local authority classes about 10 years ago when they wanted all classes to be independently financially viable. For the daytime class, which had a lot of concession fee payers, this would have meant enrolling 24+ students. With the individual tuition involved in lace making, this was not on as far as I was concerned. For me 10 students is plenty, especially if they are all working on something different. I still meet once a month with some of the students from the classes I taught (plus a few new ones) but in a private house. Would like to do more but with a full time job and other hobbies (and the family of course) I just can't find the time and energy. I was made to do a 'teaching adults course' as a condition of employment but really it was of very little relevance to teaching lace making or any other craft with individual student needs - just took up lots of my time. The tutor of the Painting class I go to has recently stopped teaching for the local authority because of all the bureaucracy/inspections etc and is now hiring a local village hall one evening a week so we can continue to meet. Nicer surroundings than the local college too. From what I've heard I'm really glad to be out of it all. Happy Lacing Andrea in a dull and gloomy Cambridge, UK. _ It's fast, it's easy and it's free. Get MSN Messenger today! http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Lacemaking classes
I would be very interested to know if other tutors have been put through this ordeal. I did the Stage 1 CG 7407 a couple of years ago - having been teaching for 8 years, based on Guiding experience, it was interesting to have confirmed that what I had learned on the hoof was the right way to go about it! I teach privately, and thus had to fund the course myself - I don't actually need to have the qualification, and can't afford to do the Stage 2 at the moment, neither could the tutor whose class I did my teaching practice in spare the hours from her work for me to do the forty hours TP required for Stage 2 had I carried on with the others to take it - as she was doing Stage 2 herself at the time. There were two or three of us on the course who couldn't get our heads round what to do about lesson plans - one of the other two teaches upholstery, the other teaches young offenders, and rarely gets the same students two weeks running, yet alone know in advance what they would be doing! However, discussion led to the agreement that there was no requirement to do lesson plans in this case - you do individual student plans and a schedule of work, and that is acceptable. Assessing the group was another hurdle - but photographs, quizzes, question and answer sessions, etc help - with one student having an actual phobia to tests of any kind (the quiz just about scraped the border line on this, but she managed it!) and another refusing to keep any form of student diary, and being recreational students they couldn't see the need for assessment... but I survived and passed the course. Observation by my tutor was passed on the wow factor (she was used to teaching formally, an accountancy class, not everyone doing something different). The plus point is that we have no problems showing diversification, whereas other types of teaching do! I admit I don't want to teach in the Adult Education system because of the pointless paperwork - I keep the records I need to keep, designed to keep me up to date with what my students can do, and when they did whatever. Sometimes that helps in working out the answer to how long did this piece take me to make? and knowing what to suggest for the next pattern to be worked. Feedback is in the chatter, and the fact that they keep coming. In about a month's time I'm taking a group for a weekend at our local adult education residential college - which just happens, if the rumour is correct, to be when they have OFSTED in. I'm not sure if I will be included in the observations or not, but I'm doing lesson plans because this weekend will be one where the group are working on the same projects, except for two absolute beginners I happen to have added to the course! So it breaks down to two plans for each session. Doing them is useful, as it is making me consider what I plan to achieve, and why, and what I need to make sure I take with me. Until I had set out the scheme for the weekend, I couldn't easily have written the list of things I want the group to take with them (eg how many pairs, which threads) - lesson plans have their uses sometimes! Doing it this way means that I have had to book the rooms, and the college will invoice me, but at least it gets a lacemaking course there, and shows that there is still interest (particularly with the beginners - I went on a calligraphy weekend there before Christmas, and the woman sitting next to me was interested in learning, so she and her mother are coming to the course). This last week or so I have written to the local papers concerning the lace day in June (thanks for the mention, Rosemarie!) - our main local paper decided to send out a reporter and photographer (I've had that photographer doing rose ground before now!) to the class to do a piece in advance - and we were all surprised when what we thought would be a small paragraph with one picture ended up two thirds of a page and four colour photos! They made a delightful error - one of the group will be doing a workshop on Plastic Canvas (lavender sachets) at the lace day, and took in some of her work to illustrate the fact I noticed one lady practising a different form of lacemaking, known as plastic canvas... !!! So I e-mailed the paper asking them to correct this, and repeating the reason why she had taken the pieces in - result, the e- mailed letter, and another photo, in this week's paper. So far, the article has gained me a talk to a group at the local Age Concern Day Centre, and probably a new student It is worth advertising lace days early! -- Jane Partridge -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.3 - Release Date: 31/01/2005 - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Lacemaking classes
I have been teaching lacemaking at local authority evening classes since 1978. Then, classes were very full (24 at my max, I was younger and fitter then!). These days the numbers have dropped, but I average about 10 each term. There has been some pressure on me in recent years to take a teaching qualification (I am a biomedical scientist in my other life), but I have managed to argue my way out of that so far, as I simply do not have the time, and anyway my colleagues who have done it say its deathly boring, and of no relevance to what I am doing. So far, so good. But now the government has decreed that adult education must be treated like schools, and we are to be inspected in the next few weeks by OFSTED (education inspectorate). To this end I have had to attend umpteen boring meetings and create mountains of paperwork for someone to look at. I have to set aims for each student. I have to have lesson plans for each week. I'm not sure how that will work, since everyone does their own thing, and I am often presented with a pattern I have never seen before (but so far I have never been totally stumped).And to what end? I would love to know how they will assess my teaching. What will they know of lacemaking? Will they expect my students to complete a lace fan in an evening, a term, a year If I fail the students will be the losers, and as far as I know there are no other classes in Oxfordshire. All this for 2 hours a week! I would be very interested to know if other tutors have been put through this ordeal. Wish me luck! Christine (Oxford) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [lace] Lacemaking classes
Hi Christine, Although I work in Adult Education and I also teach bobbin lace, I came out of that area some five years ago. Yes, we had an Ofsted inspection last year, and they didn't like what they saw, although that was on the admin side of things. As a result of the inspection, either before or after, lots of tutors in all sorts of areas, did not renew their contracts. Nothing would make me teach lace for Adult Ed. because of all the paperwork needed. I really can't see how it is possible to do individual lesson plans, assessment records etc for bobbin lace, knowing the speed that the work progresses. I was taught to make samples. This didn't suit my temperament! So when I started teaching lace ( to children at school) I knew that there had to be an end product and not just a tiny strip. I have continued in this way with adults. I only advise making a sample if there is any doubt over choice of thread or a particular technique that needs to be learned, and even then, I have probably got a simple pattern which incorporates the technique. By the way, we are to be re-inspected just before May half term. Needless to say, we have no lace classes at my centre as the tutor resigned last Easter and the inspection was the first day of the summer term. Hope your inspection goes well. Liz Pass. I would be very interested to know if other tutors have been put through this ordeal. Wish me luck! Christine (Oxford) -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.13 - Release Date: 16/01/2005 - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
