>Also I am setting up a buddy system for dyslexic students and would
>welcome advice/ guidelines.
>Kate Dresser
>[log in to unmask]
Hi Kate
Sorry if this doesn't come over too clear it feels like a long day.
For my dissertation I instigated a dyslexic buddy system. Here are a few
things that spring to mind.
Pairing up one existing student to one fresher(both), seemed to be a good
idea, as both have extra demands on their time coping with dyslexia - 6:1
ratio used by sociology dept etc. would not have worked.
Main benefit was that dyslexic students like talking to fellow dyslexic's that
understand what they are going through, plus dyslexic students are more aware
of the concessions and procedures available, or the people to ask. Our
personal tutors are not as well informed.
We are on a modular system - with entry in all three terms but mostly
September. The buddies were asked to arrange their own meetings so that they
met in weeks 1,2,3 and week 6 of the first term. Week 6 is when the deadlines
for work start to bite and you have to register for your exam concessions by
the end of week 7 so that needs sorting out too.
The first meeting proved a problem - we needed photo's or something, also the
meeting place, freshers don't know so many places. Divided feedback some
wanted to meet their buddy and then face a group session together, others
wanted to meet their buddy in a group situation to make conversation less
awkward.
Feedback also said that they wanted more group things so they knew they were
not the only people doing it.
An enhancement would be to have a register of people prepared to be buddies
for people identified as dyslexic during their course.
The supporting buddies did so as a personal favour - no rewards. The Freshers
were offered the chance to participate at a workshop for dyslexic students
held in the induction week by student services - support tutor for dyslexic
students (Ginny Stacey).
If you want to know more, let me know - I'd recommend sending this message
back so I don't repeat it all again.
Hope it helps. Do give it a go everyone was pleased they were involved and it
worked much better than a students union society.
Mary ELD
Oxford Brookes University
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|