Networks are a great opportunity for students to get information and ideas
that they do not get at universities etc. Also the courses are not always
that good, up to date, broad or interesting. If students use the contacts to
networks they should be encouraged to think further, rather than to be
blocked of and scared away. This whole network is about to make people think
further and leave the ways they used to think.
By the way, the email wasn't send here directly but it was forwarded by a
friend of hers. So it's not fair to blame her to be put on this list.
Stef
-----Original Message-----
From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Claire Wickham
Sent: 13 May 2004 16:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Fw: In need of advice
Yes, of course it is "praiseworthy when a student will make the effort to
want
broader info and opinion than the course tutor can provide" and many people
use this list in that way...myself included. And I've had very helpful
information from people on this list. But what this student needs to do is
to learn to phrase a question so that list members can respond
constructively. This request, unfortunately, came across as "Can you tell me
what to do" and not, "I've thought about it and here is the problem."
Distance learning, properly managed, can be structured so that support is
available. Like m99, I'm inclined to think that if the course consists of
nothing more than an essay title without any taught element, then this
student should seek another way of gaining this qualification.
It would also have been helpful if there had been more supporting
information with the request, for example, "advice on which one I would have
the best chance of finding information on"....did this mean information that
is accessible in electronic formats? Information that is on the web because
I have limited access to libraries?
Apart from contact with students in general, over the past 18 months I have
been supporting a colleague who is studying for an MA. In some modules, she
has asked similar questions (and she has had to write eight 5,000 word
essays and produce a dissertation)...my response was along the lines of:
What did you find really exciting in the lecture course? What have you read
that made you want to read more? Does this suggest the topic that you want
to choose? If you are short of time, do you want to pick a question where
you already have considerable knowledge or do you want to find out more in a
new area? Is it important for you that the topic you pick is related to your
employment? These sort of questions, IMO, help to narrow down choice of
topic. Perhaps your student will find them helpful.
ATB
Claire
-----Original Message-----
From: John Homan [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 May 2004 09:01
To: [log in to unmask]; Claire Wickham
Subject: Re: Fw: In need of advice
Dear Claire,
Your response is not much more helpful than that of m99.
I believe it praiseworthy when a student will make the effort to want
broader info and opinion than the course tutor can provide. Incidentally,
Debbie's course tutor is about 800km away, and just a voice on the phone.
rgds John
<snip>
> > >
> > >Subject: In need of advice
> > > I was hoping you could give me some advice on which one I would have
the
> > best chance of finding information on and what would be beneficial for
me
> > to learn more about. I have to write 3500 words and it is worth 60% of
my
> > marks....this scares me a little! I have to choose one of these topics.
> > >
> > >1) 'A disability implies a non-problematic pathological condition
> > intrinsic to the individual; it fails to recognise that the concept of
> > disabilitiy is socially constructed'. Discuss this statement.
> > >
> > >2) Psychology has had an important impact on how we understand
> > disabilitiy. Indeed the psychological test has been used extensively to
> > identify problems and legitimate action. Discuss this statement,
locating
> > your response in a particular historical era.
> > >
> > >3) Policy documents are texts that are interpreted by school
> > administrators, teachers and parents. With direct reference to a
> particular
> > policy, discuss how it has been implemented in a particular educational
> > setting. What tactics and strategies have been used? In what ways have
> they
> > been enabling or disabling?
> > >
> > >Any advice you could give me would be very appreciated. Let me know if
> > you prefer to meet for a coffee and go over anything.
> > ______________________
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> >
> >
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