Institute for Learning
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IfL and NUS launch joint teaching and learning campaign

The Institute for Learning (IfL) and the National Union of Students (NUS) have launched a joint campaign to highlight the value of brilliant teaching and learning in further education and skills. The campaign was launched at the NUS Further Education Zone Conference in Liverpool on 28 and 29 October 2010, where learners were invited to debate what makes a brilliant teacher. The discussion is being extended to teachers and learners alike through a dedicated Facebook page.

IfL’s deputy chief executive, Lee Davies, said, “IfL represents over 170,000 teachers and trainers in further education and skills, and learners’ views form a key part of our members’ professional development and their ability to enhance the learner experience. I'm looking forward to hearing the ideas from this year's student representatives on what makes a brilliant teacher, as part of our campaign with NUS on teaching and learning.

“Listening to the learner voice is all very well; what is important is that we hear and understand and take action to ensure that we are bridging the gap between learners’ expectations and the teaching and training they receive. Today’s learners are understandably more demanding, really well equipped to engage in technology, and able to articulate what they want from teaching and learning. The average age of teachers and trainers coming into the FE and skills sector is 38, and we need to make sure that they are able to harness the technologies that young people use, for example.”

Shane Chowen, vice-president for further education at NUS said, “Learners expect the highest standards and want their teachers and trainers to be up to date in their specialist field and in their teaching and training methods. We are delighted to have this opportunity to debate the subject directly with teachers and trainers at our conference and through social media, and look forward to continuing our work with IfL to discuss and promote the highest standards of teaching and learning in our sector. We would also like to thank IfL for sponsoring our conference again this year.”

Callum Morton, an NUS conference delegate from Amersham and Wycombe College, shared his experience of productive collaboration between teachers and learners. He explained, “We have introduced a new structure at the college where class representatives and teachers meet three times a year to discuss improvements to course delivery.

“This approach is more effective than an annual review, which is complete only when the year is over. It enables students to have a say in their learning while also helping our teachers with new ideas and feedback on the course. I have not yet met a teacher who doesn’t want to help and improve the courses they teach.”

Note: Access the Teaching and Learning Facebook page here.

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