I would caution against the view that it's just a case of assembling evidence and reasoned argument. It seems to me that the LD arena (using that latter term advisedly, with its etymology in the sand used to soak the blood of fighters in Roman gladiatorial combats!) might be viewed as one that has sought to gain recognition as a profession in itself. Andrew Abbott's analysis of what he termed the 'system of professions' provides some useful insights on how embryonic professions may succeed or fail in their contenders for recognition as such. His framework for analysis would, I suggest, help understand what has happened and is happening now, and what the 'group' might do strategically to gain greater recognition. Key concepts are 'jurisdiction' and the (three) 'acts of professional practice'. 'Jurisdiction' relates to the way that an occupational group seeks to gain control over a certain field of work, within the broader social structure. The 'acts of professional practice' relate to the way the group (ie the profession-contender) presents itself having special expertise to enable it to
- 'diagnose' particular kinds of issues or problems that others see as important
- 'inference', ie reasoning about the nature of the problems, in a way that enables action to be taken
- 'treatment', ie particular kinds of action that require the special expertise of the occupational group/ profession.
It does seem to me that LD practitioners, as a group, have not really succeeded in gaining jurisdiction over the area it sought to do so, and that there are problems with the way that diagnosis, inference and treatment have been attempted.
For my own part, as some will know, (and to my cost!) I have always argued that the 'learning turn' in education (and training) has been problematic, and that the term 'learning' has been used too prodigally in regard to what the concept itself may afford. It became very much a 'hurrah' word, which had some rhetorical power initially (as seen in the way certain VCs deployed it, often to argue for less contact time - technology would come to the rescue), but has exhausted the limits of its reasonable meaning. I would suggest that a much more strategic approach would need major re-consideration of the terminology AND key concepts that inform the 'acts of professional practice'.
Regards
Len
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Samuels
Sent: 07 April 2011 11:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Update on redundancies at London Met
I would also like to voice my approval at this idea. I believe that
having a more strategic and systematic research agenda will assist
Learning Development to find its voice amongst the conversation of
disciplines. Hopefully this theme will be discussed further at the
ALDinHE conference.
Peter
Dr. Peter Samuels
Academic Skills Tutor
Academic Skills Centre
Library and Learning Resources
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
Birmingham
B42 2SU
Tel. 0121 331 5687
http://moodle.bcu.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=198
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Christine Keenan
Sent: 07 April 2011 11:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Update on redundancies at London Met
Great idea. This is a really very important area of consideration for
us. We have gathered bits of evidence and information over the years,
but I think it is right that we think about it all in a much more
strategic way.
If it is something that the membership would value, then I propose that
we discuss it at the next ALDinHE SG meeting. I see this as a great
opportunity and a positive way of the network pulling together.
Best wishes
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Hilsdon
Sent: 07 April 2011 11:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Update on redundancies at London Met
I think Kim's is right and I wonder if we might propose that ALDinHE
actually makes available some funds to enable the coordination of this -
i.e. collection, selection, collation and presentation of reliable
qualitative and quantitative evidence for the effectiveness and value of
learning development work in HEIs.
There have been a number of discussions about this - i.e. 'impact' of
LD, evidence for it, effectiveness etc - both 'here' on LDHEN and on the
SEDA and other lists in recent years. It would be really useful if we
could afford to pay a researcher to at least begin to collate and sift
the data from past discussions and do some follow-up work, as well as to
collect new information from our subscribers, and produce an initial
report that we could all make use of for policy and strategy work as
well as further research.
John
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kim Shahabudin
Sent: 07 April 2011 11:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Update on redundancies at London Met
I think actually that this is a very important suggestion - Joanne,
thanks for making it. Given that ALDinHE does have input in national
strategic discussions, I'm sure they would find it helpful to have a
picture of where cuts might be happening in LD.
Also when all this blew up at London Met, I know that Sandra had a lot
of offers of support, not only moral support, but actual 'here are
arguments we used when we were in a similar position' support. Again,
I'm sure ALDinHE would be happy to collate a body of supporting evidence
for the effectiveness of LD that anyone in a similar position could draw
on. Perhaps this would be an appropriate task for LearnHigher?
Kim
________________________________
Dr Kim Shahabudin, FHEA, Study Adviser, Study Advice & Maths Support 1st
floor Carrington Building, Whiteknights, University of Reading, RG6 6UA
* 0118 378 4236/4218 * www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice
Winner of Student Nominated Award for Outstanding Contribution to
Teaching and Learning, 2010
________________________________________
From: learning development in higher education network
[[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Sandra Sinfield
[[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 April 2011 10:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Update on redundancies at London Met
Thanks Joanne - and, yes, I do think we should keep abreast of what is
happening to learning and writing development, academic support and
whatever else it may be called across the sector... and I'd e really
interested to know your tale at Lancaster! Best, Sandra
Wood, Joanne wrote:
> Hampered too MUCH, I meant to put!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: learning development in higher education network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wood, Joanne
> Sent: 07 April 2011 10:29
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Update on redundancies at London Met
>
> Hello Sandra
> These are difficult times, aren't they? I hope that you find you are
> not hampered too in your endeavours by the radical 'changes' at London
> Met. You must be very sorry to be losing colleagues. I doubt this will
> make things easier, though! I wonder if we LDHENers would be
> interested in keeping abreast of the cuts to Learning Development
> across the sector? We at Lancaster certainly have a tale to tell!
> Joanne
> -----Original Message-----
> From: learning development in higher education network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandra Sinfield
> Sent: 06 April 2011 12:03
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Update on redundancies at London Met
>
> Dear All,
> I have been receiving emails recently asking me what has happened
> about the proposed deletion of the LDU and Writing Centre here at
> London Met.
>
> First of all I would like to thank every body who wrote to us and to
> the
>
> VC ... and to the Times Higher, the blogs and twitters ... your
> support has been wonderful and very important.
>
> The outcome has been that whilst the overall cut has been reduced, we
> do
>
> still lose the LDU and the Writing Centre on the 31st July - with a
> significant loss of administrative and academic staff. A new Centre
> is to emerge on the 1st August that combines the remaining Education,
> Writing, Learning & Blended Learning Development people: The Centre
> for the Enhancement of Learning & Teaching (CELT).
>
> The CELT's role and activities will include support for curriculum
> transformation, including via the embedding of academic literacies;
> promotion of blended learning; professional development in learning
> and teaching; policy development; co-curricular learning & writing
> development (supporting the Faculties with supporting students); and
> income generation through third stream activity.
>
> Thank you again for your concern and your support.
> Sandra
>
>
--
Sandra Sinfield, University Teaching Fellow
Co-ordinator (North) Learning Development
LC206, Learning Centre, London Metropolitan University, Holloway Road,
London N7 6PP 020.7133.4045
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