| Literacies for Learning in Further Education |
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Documentary video + CPD resources. . This video was submitted as one of the two ‘nominated outputs’ to the ESRC from the major research project - an acknowledgement of its combined intellectual and communicative value. The project was subsequently graded 'Outstanding' in its ESRC End of Award evaluation. The Open University has recently purchased 8 minutes of the video to use as part of an MA course module. Literacies for Learning in Further Education was a three-year ESRC-TLRP-funded collaboration between researchers at Lancaster University and The Stirling Institute of Education, with subject and vocational lecturers in four FE colleges and a hundred of their students. The focus of the project was to move beyond thinking of reading and writing in terms of ‘basic skills’ (and of literacy in terms of ‘skills deficit’) to understand the varied social and professional practices of reading and writing that students already know in their lives, and those they now need to learn for their study and careers.
It was clear that the research could best be communicated if this audience could hear the participating FE lecturers talk in practical terms about how their thinking and teaching had changed as a result of being involved in the research. The video is based on 15 interviews in five locations, and is also narrated. Drafts were reviewed by the team, and trialled directly in dissemination presentations by the Project Director, Professor Roz Ivanič. The DVD and booklet are intended for use in continuing professional development and pre-service teacher education, as well as for direct use by FE lecturers on vocational and subject courses when reviewing and developing their course materials.
It also includes an annotated version of a framework for use in the development of course materials and an annotated list of articles. The DVD and booklet are an authored publication, with an ISBN. It was distributed free to over 300 people who had pre-ordered a copy, and then made available with a price online through Amazon.co.uk. Reviews: “dynamic, engaging and innovative” Professor Andrew Pollard, Director, “This is a valuable piece of work that should be used in every FE college. I was impressed with the DVD because it constructs such a clear case for the approach. The booklet is very helpful - I really connected with the 9 box framework.” Andy Fraser, Curriculum Leader Communication and Adult Literacies, “I was surprised at how I couldn’t stop watching it and how engaging it is … how good it is as an explanation of reading and writing as social practices” David Barton, Professor of Language and Literacy, “It was so interesting I watched it right through twice. It’s a different way of thinking, and I got it.” Michael Burke, training to teach adult literacy, at Kendal College “The design, layout and text is super....the end result will be so useful for teacher training." Ian Gibb, Lecturer, Perth College of Further Education “It is a joy to see FE lecturers doing the research … research that may well change the way in which vocational subjects are taught in the future” Christine Tyler, Association of School and College Leaders,
This first PublicSpace video was produced from a determination to develop an intellectually and visually engaging account of this important research, which would engage and inspire potential users. It was successful. However, it was produced with very limited camera and audio technology, and includes interviews and images filmed by the team during the project also with limited equipment. Technical video quality is therefore significantly lower than current work. PublicSpace currently use professional broadcast-quality technology throughout the process of filming and editing. See Quality assurance. |
The challenge for the dissemination was that this shift in thinking is subtle as well as profound. The argument therefore needed to come from many angles, and be practical as well as clear. The presentation also needed to give the teacher/lecturer audience something positive to take and use in their work.
