usage questionnaire response
Your opinions please! | Catherine Buhler | November 7 th , 2001
Hello John,
Here are my answers. Good luck with your work!
Catherine Buhler
Switzerland
Questionnaire on participant attitudes to the effectiveness of the e-mail discussion list as a means of support to participants on the MSc program
1 Where are you on the Modular Pathway? How many modules have you completed? Which module are you working on at the moment?
I have to do FND + 1 Module to see if I am suited to continue with the MSc. This is because I don't have a formal teaching background. I have completed the FND and am now working on TDA.
2 What is your nationality and where do you work?
I am British by birth and Swiss through marriage. I give private lessons to adults in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
3 How often do you send a message to the whole discussion group? Weekly/monthly/3-monthly/never (Choose one).
4 How often do you send a message to members of the group individually? Weekly/monthly/3-monthly/never (Choose one).
5 Are there times when you would like to contribute to a discussion but feel inhibited and decide not to do so?
Yes, because ...
The discussion is on a subject which I haven't yet covered and I don't feel sure about my own opinion.
No, because...
6 In what ways do you feel supported by your membership of this group? Affective, academic, professional, other? (see explanations above)
(The examples are good!)
Affective: when I read that other CPs are lacking in motivation or aren't sure whether their assignment is focused correctly it makes me feel better.
Academic: I keep a record of all the discussions related to the various modules. When I have a question regarding a certain module I can refer back to these discussions and it helps me to start working on my own ideas.
7 Can you think of any ways to improve the discussion list?
Suggestion:
A more structured approach, with a weekly topic for discussion.
I find the suggestion above good. There was once quite a lengthy discussion about SPRE in relation to writing assignments, for example. Also the recent PPP vs TBL discussion. If everyone makes a contribution with their own ideas (it's up to us individuals to lose our inhibitions!!) this would be a very valuable source of information.
8 Learner autonomy" or "self-directed learning" have been identified as desirable qualities in helping people learn. Dialogue between participants, rather than purely tutor-participant dialogue, should encourage participants to take the initiative in their own learning. Has the e-mail discussion list helped you "take the initiative?" Please describe how...
I find it easier to communicate with a participant rather than a tutor because I feel that the participant has probably been there where I am now, not so long ago. This is probably an old "package" which I am carrying around from my schooldays when what the teacher said was correct and you certainly weren't encouraged to listen to the opinions of your fellow students rather than the teacher. I've also picked up some good ideas for lessons from contributions to the discussion group. Also good recommendations for interesting websites.
Please say why not...
9 "a dialogue of local interpretations." In your opinion is this an appropriate description of the output of the e-mail discussion list?
Yes, because ...
We all belong to a common interest group. The most interesting thing about the discussion list is that I can communicate with people in Japan, Brazil, Italy, Manchester (!) and learn their opinion about a subject. I feel to have more in common and a feeling of closeness to these people than I do to many English language teachers who I know living in the same area as me.
No, because...
Thanks for your help and good luck with your next assignment!
with 
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