Candice Satchwell reports on the successful networking day she organised at the University of London: Around 15 colleagues from various parts of the UK came together to discuss experiences – both positive and negative – of teaching English in a higher education (HE) in further education (FE) setting. Discussion was lively and productive throughout the day, and we covered a wide variety of topics, including: innovative practice in pedagogy and assessment; research and scholarly activity; catering for mature students and those with unconventional routes into HE; support for students – who often require a range of support and support for staff whose time is often taken up in providing it and relationships with validating universities. While we found many aspects of our work common to us all, from our discussions it also emerged how different individual circumstances could be in terms of structuring of institutions, expectations and demands, and also methods of dealing with day-to-day issues. Sharing our different approaches was very fruitful, and we all left feeling we had learned something new to take back to our various institutions. One thing we did have in common was being on FE contracts. It was noteworthy that it was only in the final moments of the day that the issue of pay was raised, even though FE lecturers are paid less than schoolteachers and less than HE lecturers. It seems we were more concerned with our students, and our teaching and learning. We hope that this event will be the first of many which recognise the special circumstances of HE in FE, while also providing an introduction to the mainstream activities of the subject centre which all HE in FE colleagues are welcome to take part in.
A longer report and session details can be viewed in the events area of the website.
