2010 South West LSRN Annual Conference

South West Learning & Skills Research Network
Annual Conference 2010

"A Road Less Travelled ... Research in the Lifelong Learning Sector"


Thursday 8 July 2010
(10.00 am - 3.30 pm)
at
Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre, Nr Totnes, TQ11 0EG


held in partnership with
The South West Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SWCETT)
The University of Plymouth Higher Education Learning Partnership
Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (HELP CETL)
and
The Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network (WVLLN)

Keynote Speaker:

We are pleased to announce that Professor Gert Biesta, Director of Research at The Stirling Institute of Education, will be our Keynote Speaker for this year's conference.  Gert will be leading the day with a session entitled "Research, practice and wisdom".


Overview:

Research has long been viewed as the occupation of scholars inhabiting the ivory towers of the nation’s elite universities.  However, this traditional conception has been increasingly challenged since the emergence of the scholarship of teaching and learning, advocated by writers such as Boyer (1990) and Healey (2000).  The scholarship of teaching and learning has built on the work of Stenhouse (1975), in making the practice of teachers’ researching their practice legitimate.  The growing expectation of practitioners to undertake continuing professional development has provided opportunities for them to act as researchers.  Becoming practitioner-researchers has enabled many teachers to become forerunners in innovative models of delivery and responding to learners needs.

Practitioner-researchers undertake their work in a very different context to traditional scholars.  Frequently those who are actively researching their practice are afforded limited reward or recognition for their efforts.  Despite this, research can provide practitioners with a “neutral territory” to escape the everyday pressures of teaching, supporting students and course administration.  Research can offer practitioners space to take risks, ask questions and challenge assumptions.

This year’s conference will once again showcase the ongoing or completed research that practitioner-researchers have carried out to develop their own knowledge and/or practice and give colleagues the opportunity to share in their innovative approaches.


Aims of the Conference:

To participate in our Regional Community of Research Practice.

To network with others with a shared interest in research.

To discover and discuss results arising from South West research activities.

The South West Learning and Skills Research Network (LSRN) aims to support research by and for practitioners in the learning and skills sector.  It provides an opportunity for researchers and those interested in research to share ideas, develop contacts, and set up collaborations.  It is open to people regardless of their context, and membership includes independent consultants, researchers from private training providers, colleges, universities and government agencies.  The Network covers the whole of the South West Region of England and includes the West Country Learning and Skills Research Network.

Morning Presentation Sessions:

During the morning colleagues from across the region will lead a series of research based presentation sessions based on the theme of this year’s conference.

Click here for further details


Afternoon "Research in Context" Workshops:

In the afternoon we will be offering delegates the opportunity to attend one of the following Research in Context “How to”  workshops:
 
1)   “Phrasing Research Questions - Asking the
       Right Questions”  -  led by Gert Biesta

2)   “Sharing Your Research with Others”
       led by Becky Turner (HELP CETL)

3)   “Accessing & Using Existing Research/
       Literature”
       led by Ann-Marie Bathmaker (UWE, Bristol)

4)   “Working together - supporting professional and
       curriculum development through co-operative
       inquiry”  -  led by Denise Summers (University
       of Plymouth)


Who should attend?

Policy makers, managers, teachers and trainee teachers interested in research and inquiry into further education and lifelong learning from FE colleges, adult and community learning, work-based learning and voluntary organisations.


Delegate Fees:

•   £50.00 per person (for student teachers)
•   £80.00 per person (for all other attendees)

click here for a copy of the conference flyer

NB:  We will be delivering the day as a "green" event so will not be providing copies of the speakers presentations in the delegate packs.  Colleagues will be able to download these, post-conference, from this website.


Register Online Now

extended closing date for applications:
Thursday 1 July 2010

or contact Elizabeth Yard on (01823) 365440
e-mail:  events@learning-southwest.org.uk    


Exhibition Opportunities:

If you are interested in having a stand at this event please contact Elizabeth Yard (see above) for more details.