Tutes Down Shute
The distribution of a survey about Oxford teaching methods to students at many colleges, by 'Oxford Learning Context 2003' project, has led to concerns that some apparently loaded questions could be a precursor to further 'stint reform', which is often code for scaling-back tutorials.
Dr Paul Ashwin, one of the researchers administering the survey at Oxford's Institute for the Advancement of University Learning, said the purpose of the survey is "to provide evidence to encourage discussion about teaching and learning", and in particular to discover how students perceive tutorials.
The survey and covering letter promise to "help to improve the learning environment for you and future students". The 86 questions focus heavily on the tutorial system, and on how students see their tutors' role.
Question 67 asks respondents to agree or disagree with "The tutorial system has inhibited my learning on this degree course", and question 56 with "I would welcome a move from a tutorial-driven system of teaching towards one with an increased emphasis on classes".
But perhaps the most useful to those looking to reduce the role of the tutorial could be questions such as number 52, which states "I see tutors' role in tutorials as being more about explaining ideas than about initiating discussion of them". Positive answers to this might engender suggestions that classes could perform this role more efficiently.
The Oxford Learning Context is a long-term project, and their interim report emphasises that "students perceived [the tutorial system] as extremely supportive of their learning" and results highlighting "the strengths of Oxford as residing in the tutorial system of learning".
13th Feb 2003