Last Friday, we held our latest Regional Coaching Ambassador Network Meeting at South Leicestershire College , facilitated by Ian Perry of Emerge Coaching on behalf of LSIS.   This meeting focused on the use of coaching for performance management and raised some very interesting points of view.

 

We discussed the how coaching viewed more as a behaviour and less as a practise can bring real change.  For example, ‘Direct management'  (the informing of practise and directing towards a desired outcome from management) is widely used within organisations and this got the group discussing the benefits of using a more 'non - directive' approach within management practise at work.  Also, the use of 'Contracting' with peers as an aid to strengthen relationships with peers at all levels.

On a personal note, it seems apparent that the use of coaching is still seen within the sector as a remedial practise, consider how we could improve our working practises by using our coaching skills in more than just a peer to peer coaching scenario.  There could be real benefit for our peers and organisations if we as coaches can find more ways to bring our coaching skills into our every day work with our learners and peers.

How could the addition of developed listening, awareness and questioning techniques not create more positive working relationships for learners/peers/management and employers?
Why aren’t we using them more in this way already?
How can we support more coaches to use their skills more widely?
posted by Kevin Martin

 

This is an interesting and thought provoking presentation.  My partner sent the link to me as his work colleagues are currently sharing this with each other.  As animators they like it.  As educators what do you think?

Joseph Lee of FE Focus has recently reported (10/6/11) on the government's concerns that colleges may not be doing enough to tackle extremism and to model social cohesion within their walls.  This brings into sharp focus a concern that has been troubling EMCETT for a while now.  Whether it is Islamic extremists or the equally insidious European Defence League (current recruiting in Leicestershire), young people currently in the wider FE System are no longer being taught the skills to think critically and this means they have little immunity to the 'non-sense' that they are being 'sold' by advocates of these extreme views.

It is my observation that teachers within our sector are generally strong on vocational skills but relatively weak on the generic stuff of building learning capability, social awareness, emotional intelligence, relationship skills, etc.  Further, it is these skills that should be the heart of the vocational education and training curriculum; not an after-thought, if indeed they feature with curriculum design and delivery, at all.  In this view, the vocational specialism is simply the context in which that curriculum is delivered.

Being able to think critically, is what makes the difference between shallow and deep or profound learning (see West-Burnham), and this therefore underpins vocational achievement and progression as much as does social inclusion and community cohesion. We used to do this stuff (anybody remember Liberal Studies, Life and Social Skills, the Grading Themes in GNVQ, and umpteen other names for this?)  – why are we not teaching this now!

An award winning "immersive" e-learning technology Company is looking to develop an exciting and sustainable Computer-based Learning Game focusing on Adult Literacy and Numeracy. They use the latest virtual reality games technology which can really bring learning to life.

To find out more visit http://www.skillsforlifenetwork.com/default.aspx?atk=4274

They are looking for a Provider partner organisation to apply with them to the Adult and Community Learning Fund to take the development forward.

 

Are you aware that LSIS funded a number of projects to establish greater resource utilisation and implement significant efficiency improvements. These have achieved impressive results in the first year and all 20 projects which received the support to deliver sustainable change in organisational practice can be accessed from LSIS as case studies. Please visit www.lsis.org.uk/AboutLSIS/MediaCentre/NewsArticles/Pages/Resource-Utilisation... Kevin

Funding is being made available by NIACE with the opening of the Adult Community Learning Fund where bidders can prepare a proposal up to £75,000. This fund is to aid the Big Society to become a reality through inspiring projects within the community for adult learners. For more information on applying for this opportunity please visit www.NIACE.org.uk/adultandcommunitylearningfund but be quick as all applications will need to be made online before 12 noon on Friday 10th June 2011.

If you are considering applying for funding, please feel free to contact us at emCETT to discuss how we may be able to support you through your project/s.