by
Bob Cox-Wrightson
Distance
learning has many advantages, such as flexibility and the ability
to study at your own pace. If you live in a rural location distance
is no problem, with all that you need for your course arriving
by post. High quality materials and a tutor on-hand is a tried
and tested combination that has been proven to work for many students.
However,
when a big box of learning materials lands on your doormat, the
temptation to put it in a cupboard somewhere and watch the telly
instead is very strong. Out of sight means out of mind, and sometimes
a bit of extra help and a prod in the right direction would be
very much appreciated, and in some cases could make all the difference
between completing or not completing.
Luckily
for the childcare students in Northamptonshire that extra help
is available, in the form of Julie Williams, Northants EYDCP Guidance
and Mentoring Officer, making sure that students don’t feel
too daunted by what they’ve enrolled for.
Julie’s
pre-enrolment advice, guidance and post-enrolment encouragement
is offered to students enrolled on National Extension College
Distance Learning courses, and is a valuable complementary service
that sits alongside the traditional tutor support. (Offered to
all)
It
is proving to be a very successful partnership as students, some
of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, are making excellent
progress with their courses, with many completing and signing
up for more.
Bob
Cox-Wrightson chatted to Julie, and discovered she’s keen
to promote this system of learning support and mentoring to other
local authorities and organisations…
Could
you describe your role?
Well, I’ve been doing this job for 11 months now, and this
role has definitely changed the perception of distance learning
amongst students. People can get a little daunted and freaked
out by the course materials when they arrive, and confidence can
wane as the whole of the course is sitting before them. However,
once students realise that there’s someone out there who
believes in them and understands their concerns there’s
always a huge sigh of relief!
So
you’d say it’s been a success?
Definitely. Once students have that little bit of confidence it’s
amazing what can be achieved. Once they realise that someone else
believes in them, and that there’s a way forward, the achievement
levels go through the roof, and those who thought “I can’t
do this” turn out, with that little bit of belief, to be
my best students.
How
does your role complement the tutoring and support available from
the National Extension College?
I try to be a completely neutral contact, and this helps the student
to drop any barriers they might have when dealing with an “official”
contact. I can meet the student in their homes instead of having
a degree of separation, such as with the telephone or internet,
and meeting face-to-face is a real benefit.
Do
you expect this model to be repeated across the country?
I hope it will be, as there is such a high demand from students.
Since I first arrived, 11 months ago, I have received 400 applications
for guidance, from which I accepted 10 on to the mentoring programme.
I feel that without extra support many students would consider
dropping out, especially those who are returnees to study, have
learning difficulties or for whom English isn’t their first
language.
For
more information on childcare courses from the NEC see http://www.nec.ac.uk/courses/,
email info@nec.ac.uk or telephone
01223 400 350.
Julie
Williams, Guidance and Mentoring Officer for Northamptonshire
EYDCP, can be contacted at JJWilliams@northamptonshire.gov.uk
