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Dear Sarah, Dear All, Thank you for your helpful comments regarding my paper from last Saturday's lively round-table discussion. I perceive that theory and practice are co-extensive as in equal or co-incident in space, time or scope which I feel is important as I am particularly interested in the relationship between the role of theory described in the literature on mentoring and the reality, as described by the practice of mentors. It is also necessary to note that whilst ALT's are identified in literature as being appropriate for use with adult learners they are not exclusive to adults, but are distinct from those developed from research into learning by children. I understand that mentors' utilise practical knowledge and then also have espoused knowledge. Both these sources of knowledge lead mentors' as learners to developing their own personal theories, which then become theories in use. Thus 2 of my key questions for my PhD research project (I am in the writing up stage at present!) are: "What are the influences on mentors' in practice?" and "What are their personal theories, and what are they made up from?" I will get back to you on the possible sharing of my paper electronically. Best wishes Rosalind ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sarah Fletcher" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 8:11 AM Subject: Re: BERA SIGs and CARN Day 29 September Dear Rosalind (and Dear All) Would it be possible for you to post a copy of your paper as a piece of doctoral research-in-progress to our list so others might share insights? Thanks for your very generous comments about the Conference day on Saturday - it's good to see conversations about presentations are going to continue. I am hoping that points arising from Kerry's discussion can be shared as we focus on mentoring in ITT on this list with research mentoring on BERA-T-R. I have started working towards our next SIG Conference/day which as you hope (and so do I!) will be this term. I am inviting you to present your research into the theories that mentors use in initial teacher training as a starting point for discussion about theories used by 'research mentors' in mentoring. As part of the Teacher Learning Academy Stage 4 Pilot which Nicola Scarrott told us about on Saturday I am looking into the kinds of support research mentors and research mentees need. I will need to identify my own learning breakthrough in my account for the TLA and it is thanks to you I have one! As I listened to your round table presentation and then read your paper on Saturday I suddenly realised the insights you are sharing about learning theories of school-based mentors in ITT are likely to overlap with but be very different from learning theories employed by school research mentors. By the way - we solved the mystery of the Internet problems that lost us all so much time on Saturday and left me juggling different connections on the computer and on the screen linked to the computer ... there was a wireless connection to two competing providers apparently and blocking one another! I am very much looking forward to hearing more about ITT mentors' knowledge Best wishes Sarah