Ask a Rockstar
7/9/2009
On a sunny July day I found myself heading to London. Not that the Capital does not hold a sense of adventure for me or that spending 50 minutes on a crowded train, looking at unsmiling, soulless faces is not a pleasure.
My London venue was TUC Congress House. I was attending a one day training course on, ‘Case studies writing workshop’. What I expected was a day of showing me what I already believed that years of practice as a United Road Transport Rep had taught me to do correctly. Boy, was I wrong!
This course was a total surprise. The tutor for the day was Dr Wanda Wyporska, Media Officer for the TUC’s education department, or, as we know it, Unionlearn. She steered the group through understanding what a case study should be and why they are needed as a recruitment tool and as an educational resource.
We had the explanation that case studies can be used to show how to evaluate situations in education. They also allow learners to access other situations, learn from them and create their own expectations of what learning requirements they can access.
One of the main points I will take away from this course is that, when writing a case study, ‘know the subject, understand the subject, and believe in the subject’.
The action role plays on this course added to the enjoyment of the day. I played the part of a rock star being interviewed by a modern magazine (so close to my own rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle) with the interviewer aiming questions at me. This helped learn both sides of the coin and helped to improve our ways of speaking and listening to gain a better understanding.
Are you thinking about starting in education?
Do you get the feeling you know all about the subject you are going to study?
Do you really know as much as you think?
You can always learn more and create a better understanding. You will be surprised how much more information you learn. It made me more aware.
So when a ULR, Shop Steward, Health & Safety Rep or even a hard working URTU, ULF Project Worker, asks to interview you, they are doing it for the right reason - to show you how trade union education works and supports all it comes in contact with. Even an old rock star like me.
Barry Marks
URTU ULF Project Worker
