Hi Ronan
Can only do quick reply for now, but:
No, I would argue that the phrase 'facilitating learning' is problematic (see article for argument). Librarians have interacted with students (calling them 'learners' is also problematic) for a long time, assisting them with engaging with the practices they need to engage in, in order to access various forms of writings, etc, etc.
The process of de-professionalisation (of teaching and training) was already in train (I'd say from the mid-1980s) and my article was drawing attention to it as, I would argue, many practitioners have tended to find the discourse of learnerism beguiling - sounds good, sounds right (on), but to use Wittgenstein's phrase, their intelligence is being bewitched by means of language.
Regards
Len
From: Ronan O'Beirne [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 08 October 2013 13:49
To: Leonard Holmes; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Another interesting - and dodgy - title? 'Student Achievement Advisor'
Surely you're not suggesting Len, that professional librarians (the second oldest profession) have only started facilitating learning since you predicted this in your 2004 article and that this in turn has somehow contributed to a wider de-professionalism ?
Ronan the Librarian
Ronan O'Beirne FCLIP
Director Learning Development and Research
Bradford College
Bradford BD16 1EB
West Yorkshire
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Leonard Holmes
Sent: 08 October 2013 11:36
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Another interesting - and dodgy - title? 'Student Achievement Advisor'
Surely they (the librarians) are 'facilitating learning' - or should I say '**merely** facilitating learning'.
What I have termed the 'learning turn' in education (and training), and the whole discourse of learnerism (see http://tinyurl.com/pg8xxjk), is probably a key factor in developments (sic!) as these posts.
As I argued (p.636), "Teaching and training are likely to be de-professionalised through the increasing dominance of learnerism." 'Nuff said?
Regards
Len
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Stanners
Sent: 08 October 2013 10:53
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Another interesting - and dodgy - title? 'Student Achievement Advisor'
Interestingly ,we also have a number of Librarians teaching to students and academics...
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Martin Hampton
Sent: 08 October 2013 09:41
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Another interesting - and dodgy - title? 'Student Achievement Advisor'
on this theme of 'downgrading': here at Portsmouth, numerous (12+) new tutor-graded posts for learning developers have been created in the last three years (a period, as elsewhere, generally characterised by otherwise very low levels of new post creation, or even replacement); these posts are embedded in faculties (advantageous in several ways), and the lovely people who have filled them are of course not only skilled and experienced, but also motivated, and thus the work of learning support is leaching away from our previously-strong 'central' learning development service 'ASK', staffed by academic (L and SL) posts - we've gone from 7+ FTE to aound 3.5 ('natural wastage'), with rather poor prospects in the medium term
just want to make list aware of our experience of this rather sly way for an institution to downgrade its learning support with minimum publicity or conflict: create new, lower-grade posts (done here without even notifying the existing service, yet alone consulting, as per best 'change management' practice) and then be 'sadly forced' to allow to shrink/close a previously lecturer-graded service because of an 'unlooked for' (yeah right) fall in demand
and THAT is in part why I am currently very interested in 'what brings us joy and maintains our resilience' (separate discussion)! thanks to all who have responded; do send more insights if you want to share them; I will summarise and add on my own answer next week some time
Martin H.
On 8 October 2013 00:02, M. Gough <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Oh and if anyone does apply for these posts don't expect to be on anything but the lowest point on the scale, regardless of previous experience. This is almost as bad as the zero hors contracts universities are so fond of using ( that's another story). For anyone applying, remember to check also whether you are paying into the Teachers Pension still if you are going from an academic grade to a professional one.
These jobs should all be on academic grades for what the job requires. There does seem to have been a shift in moving such posts into Student Services and Libraries ( no offence btw meant for professionals working in these areas) where there are a wider range of grades ( lower) they can be slotted into. I don't know people in Student Services but I am very aware that Library staff are expected to do a lot of teaching ( usually disguised as workshops) which includes teaching to academic staff, yet pay grades there are atrociously low.
Mandy
________________________________
From: Wilson, George <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>;
To: <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>;
Subject: Re: Another interesting - and dodgy - title? 'Student Achievement Advisor'
Sent: Mon, Oct 7, 2013 10:27:52 PM
Am I mis-understanding? This seems like a massive devaluation of the qualifications the university exists to promote.
And taking just the first job ad found online today, in the range £24000 - £28000 I find "Service Manager, xxxxx, a national charity providing quality care and support across Scotland" An important job but not something with a person spec like this one.
George Wilson
Edinburgh Napier University
Merchiston Campus
________________________________
From: learning development in higher education network [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] on behalf of Alistair McCulloch [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>]
Sent: 07 October 2013 23:05
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Another interesting - and dodgy - title? 'Student Achievement Advisor'
The institution certainly seems to be asking for a lot for its money...
Hon degree
Teaching Qualification
Enthusiasm
Innovative and versatility in their approach
Excellent communication skills
Experience of tuition in Higher Education
Good, up-to-date knowledge of how students learn e.g. in blended learning formats and online
Good, up-to-date knowledge of how students learn in more traditional environments are essential
Experience of working with students from widening participation backgrounds
Experience of working with students with English as a second/other language
Experience of English and literacy skill development
Experience of working with learners on numeracy, statistical software and ICT
Apart from a PhD (and I suspect they'll get applications for folk with those as well) and a commitment to research (which will probably be implicit in the role) this reads more like an academic post.
Not very encouraging...
Alistair
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of Gordon Asher
Sent: Saturday, 5 October 2013 9:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Another interesting - and dodgy - title? 'Student Achievement Advisor'
Student Achievement Adviser
Leeds Trinity University
2 posts
Salary £24,766 to £27,047 per annum
Fixed term to 31st August 2015
Leeds Trinity University is a Higher Education institution which offers a high quality learning experience to its students.
We are looking to recruit a small team of Student Achievement Advisers to work with individual students and with groups to deliver academic skills tuition and support. Postholders will report to the Student Achievement Coordinator and will work alongside programme/departmental teams, including progress tutors, to encourage and support academic skill development.
The successful candidate/s will be enthusiastic, innovative and versatile in their approach, demonstrating excellent communication skills and the ability to establish strong working relationships with students and staff.
Applicants will need a good honours degree and a teaching qualification. Experience of tuition in Higher Education and a good, up-to-date knowledge of how students learn e.g. in blended learning formats and online, as well as in more traditional environments are essential. Experience of working with students from widening participation backgrounds, and those with English as a second/other language would be advantageous. In addition to English and literacy skill development, applications from those with experience of working with learners on numeracy, statistical software and ICT are welcome.
Further details and an application pack are available by clicking on the Apply button below. Alternatively please contact the Human Resources Department, tel. 0113 2837130 or email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15 October 2013
Leeds Trinity University has an Equality and Diversity Policy. We welcome applications from all parts of the community.
Undergraduate Open Day Saturday 5 October 2013, 10am - 3pm
Meet staff, look around our campuses and attend subject-specific presentations.
Find out more><http://www.napier.ac.uk/Events/Pages/EventDetails.aspx?NewsID=263>
Edinburgh Napier University offers industry informed courses which combine the optimum balance of theory and practice to equip graduates for success in today's competitive global job market. 92.3% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of leaving. With over 17,000 students from over 110 countries, we are an international university and are also proud to be the largest UK provider of higher education in Hong Kong.
This message is intended for the addressee(s) only and should not be read, copied or disclosed to anyone else outwith the University without the permission of the sender. It is your responsibility to ensure that this message and any attachments are scanned for viruses or other defects.
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--
Martin Hampton, BA (Hons), PGCE, FHEA
Academic Skills (ASK)
Nuffield Centre
University of Portsmouth
PO1 2ED
UK
W: www.port.ac.uk/ask<http://www.port.ac.uk/ask>
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