Apologies for cross-posting but given the recent discussion on this list
about the absence of a UK conference on Personal Tutoring this year, I
though list members might be interested in the event announced below.
The PT list has much in common with the Learning Devt in HE Network and
the new professional association ALDinHE which has recently emerged from
it - see http://www.aldinhe.ac.uk/ - and proposals for papers from a
personal tutoring perspective would be very welcome.



-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Hilsdon
Sent: 23 November 2007 02:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Learning Development - Who Needs It? A 'Pre-Call' for Papers
Importance: High


Dear Colleagues

APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTING

Learning Development - Who Needs It?

5th Annual Symposium of the Learning Development in Higher Education
Network, Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March 2008 at the University of
Bradford

Keynote Speaker: Professor Ray Land
Professor of Higher Education and Director of the Centre for Academic
Practice and Learning Enhancement at the University of Strathclyde.
Ray's research interests include the theory and practice of educational
development, threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge, and
theoretical aspects of digital learning.

The 2008 LDHEN Symposium
Since the establishment of this network 2003 the phrase 'learning
development' has entered the vocabulary of UK Universities, and can now
be seen in the names of services, in post titles, research projects and
publications. This is at least in part due to the success of members of
LDHEN in their various academic and strategic initiatives, including the
establishment of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
"LearnHigher".

The distinctive approach of those adopting the term 'learning
development' revolves around concerns to demystify academic practices
and to work alongside students in making sense of and getting the best
from their learning. So we now ask the provocative question - does
anyone 'need' learning development or learning developers? If so what is
it that they really need? Students, university managers, academics and
those outside HE are likely to have varying views about what this work
should be. Notions such as study skills, personal tutoring, learning
resources, mentoring and facilitation are all relevant - but this
network has served to raise broader questions about how students learn -
promoting inclusive, accessible and humane practices in teaching and
assessment - and an HE culture which encourages students to take part in
and be empowered by their learning experiences, rather than be subjected
to them.

The ALDinHE Steering Group would like to invite presentations,
workshops, round-table discussions and posters for the Symposium to
reflect as many views as possible about the role of learning development
activities in universities. We are offering 45 or 90 minute slots for
presentations and workshops.

Abstracts of approx 250 words will be required by 15th January 2008.
There will also be an opportunity for presenters submit papers for
consideration for inclusion in the first refereed ALDinHE journal by 1st
May 2008.

Full details about the 2008 Symposium, including registration fees,
accommodation, session types and how to submit proposals will follow
shortly - and will also be posted on the ALDinHE website
http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/ldhen/  WATCH THIS SPACE!


Best wishes

John

John Hilsdon
Co-ordinator, Learning Development
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
01752 232276

[log in to unmask]
http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/learn