I am in the library (along with Colonel Mustard & the lead piping). I am the Study Support Tutor in Learning Support all of which sounds a bit remedial but it gets worse. I live with the additional learning needs team (aln). There are 50 of them counting all the note-takers etc and one of me which means that everyone assumes study support is only for those with aln. When I correct staff who refer to me as aln, they say 'well you know what I mean'....possibly, but do the students?

________________________________

From: learning development in higher education network on behalf of Pottinger, Isabelle B
Sent: Fri 16/02/2007 16:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Central or locally provided support


Hi Jo (and others reading this),
 
I am currently based in Careers Advisory Service and blend an Effective Learning service with delivering Career Management skills.  In this setting, the post, which involves delivering sessions to classes as well as one-to-one work, is seen as 'enhancing learning' rather than as 'plugging deficiencies'.
 
During the years when I delivered only an Effective Learning service (prior to university restructuring four years ago), I was based in Combined Studies, then before that in Student Welfare Service.  In both of those settings, students and management had a 'deficit' view of my role.  They saw me as there to support weak students.  Since no student wished that label, those who accessed my services were either academically desperate or sufficiently mature to see beyond that label.  This often meant that students wouldn't seek my help until it was too late.
 
From these experiences I strongly believe I can and have best supported students when my role is seen as 'enhancing student learning' rather than 'plugging deficiencies' and is also endorsed by academic staff.  
 
Hope this helps,
 
Isabelle



-------------------------------
Isabelle B Pottinger
Academic Counsellor
Room 1.07 Scott Russell Building
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS

Tel: 0131 451 3062
  

________________________________

From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pauline Ridley
Sent: 16 February 2007 14:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Central or locally provided support


Thanks Jane.
We have five separate campuses here with a library on each site and only a partial fit between Schools and sites. I'm trying to find out optimum location for a potential new advisory service, given limited staffing and space available anywhere at any level. Does anyone have experience to add to what's been said here so far about relative merits of different locations?
Pauline

	-----Original Message-----
	From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jane Mullen
	Sent: 16 February 2007 12:46
	To: [log in to unmask]
	Subject: Re: Central or locally provided support
	
	

	
	Dear Jo, 
	When I first  arrived at Huddersfield there was no room for me in the School and I had to use the library...... begrudgingly. There is some research on how students use libraries and the fact they enter them with a clear mission- surprisingly seeking advice with their work is often not high on the list. Hence, take up in the initial months was low, but when I moved into the School and was more visible to both lecturers and students things really took off. Numbers of students rose considerably and liaison with colleagues led to a range of new developments. We are fortunate at Huddersfield, due to a HEFCE funded project, to have then taken this School based model across the University and it has proved extremely successful, but that's not to say that it doesn't have some draw backs.However, my advice is stay where you are!
	Regards
	Jane

		-----Original Message-----
		From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of JOCELYN DONACHIE
		Sent: 16 February 2007 09:26
		To: [log in to unmask]
		Subject: Central or locally provided support
		
		
		Dear all,
		 
		I am fairly sure this issue has been raised previously but it has now become an issue for me so I would welcome comments, invitations to visit, etc.
		 
		At present I lead a Learning Development Unit based firmly in one faculty.  Our work is a mix of one to one support and targetted lectures, much as Pat Hill describes.
		 
		There is a suggestion that this support becomes centralised: ie placed within the uni library rather than in a faculty.  Although I understand the rationale behind this, I  would welcome comments from similar experience elsewhere.
		 
		Thanks,
		 
		Jo

	

	

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