Tomorrow’s a mystery: constructions of the future and ‘un/becoming’ amongst ‘early’ and ‘late’ career academics

Abstract

Constructing a secure sense of a professional future has become increasingly difficult for early career researchers, whilst concerns about present and future job in/security have also been expressed in relation to already-established academics. In this paper, we draw on qualitative data from a U.K. study to explore everyday conceptualisations of the future for both ‘early career’ and ‘late career’ academics, in the context of increased fears and actualities of occupational precarity. We utilise theories of the social construction of time, as well as a conception of precarity and ‘precarization’ utilised by Butler (2009a, 2009b) and Lorey (2015), relating to ‘politically induced’ forms of insecurity that are a direct product of neoliberalism. The research reveals a variety of forms and levels of concern and anxiety by both groups for their own futures, and for the future of the academy as a whole.     

Providing a flexible, learner-centred programme: Challenges for educators

This paper presents a case study of the implementation of a flexible learner-centred programme of study which blends face-to-face and online learning. The programme was developed to be flexible in terms of content and study strategies, whilst remaining within more rigid organisational structures and processes. This paper outlines the programme and presents the model developed for flexible content delivery. The programme has been delivered simultaneously by five tutors to six groups of learners. Tutors drew on varying personal experiences of flexible and online learning and this paper also presents the results of an investigation to explore their experiences of facilitation. The findings provide a unique insight into the implications of such a programme for educators. Data were gathered using methods to promote and structure reflections on practice. Issues of relevance for others considering the development of flexible learner-centred programmes of study are presented.     

Adult learners’ use of flexible online resources in a blended programme

This paper presents a case study of a blended programme for adults and discusses findings from a mixed‐methods investigative study of learners’ and tutors’ experiences of the programme. The programme employs a set of flexible online resources, which are activity‐based and designed to provide choice in study routes and modes of learning. Our research has identified four main strategies used by learners when working with these resources: universalists, butterflies, changelings, and minimalists. We discuss these strategies and consider the value learners feel they have gained from the flexible programme. The strategies identified have implications for course designers and facilitators, requiring an increased emphasis on the course process over course content, and support for the development of learners’ confidence.

Wie erfahrene Anfänger flexible Online‐Mittel in einem Vermischten Programm benutzen

Dieses Papier präsentiert als Fallstudie ein gemischtes Programm für Erwachsene und bespricht die Ergebnisse einer mit gemischten Methoden durchgeführten Studie und die Erfahrungen von Anfängern und Tutoren mit diesem Programm. Das Programm verwendet eine Reihe auf Selbsttätigkeit beruhender flexibler Online‐Mittel, die die Wahl der Studienwege und Lernweisen unterstützen sollen. Unsere Forschung hat vier von Anfängern verwendete Hauptstrategien identifiziert, die mit diesen Mitteln arbeiteten: Universalisten, “Schmetterlinge”, Wechsler, und Minimalisten. Wir besprechen diese Strategien und prüfen, was die Anfänger unserer Meinung nach von der Nutzung dieser flexiblen Programme glauben gewonnen zu haben. Die identifizierten Strategien haben als Implikationen für Kurs‐Entwickler und Vermittler eine vergrößerte Betonung auf den Kurs‐Prozess über den Kurs‐Inhalt zu legen und die Entwicklung von Selbstvertrauen der Anfänger zu unterstützen.

Les apprenants adultes et l’utilisation des ressources en ligne « souples » dans le cadre d’un programme mixte

Cet article présente une étude de cas, celle d’un programme mixte destiné aux adultes et examine les résultats d’une étude approfondie des expériences vécues par les étudiants et les tuteurs au cours de ce programme, menée en mélangeant plusieurs méthodes. Ce programme a recours à un ensemble de ressources souples en ligne, qui sont fondées sur des activités et conçues pour fournir des choix d’itinéraires d’étude et de modes d’apprentissage. Notre recherche a identifié quatre stratégies principales utilisées par les apprenants lorsqu’ils travaillent avec ces ressources: les universalistes, les papillons, les mutants et les minimalistes. Nous comparons ces stratégies et examinons quelle valeur les apprenants pensent avoir retirée du programme souple. Les stratégies identifiées ont des implications pour les concepteurs et facilitateurs des cours car elle demandent que l’on porte une attention plus grande au processus du cours plutôt qu’au contenu et qu’on soutienne le développement de la confiance des apprenants.

Los alumnos adultos y el uso de los recursos en línea flexibles dentro de un programa mixto

Este artículo presenta el estudio de caso de un programa mixto para adultos y examina los resultados de un estudio y investigación (llevado a cabo a través de un abordaje plurimetodólogico) de las experiencias vividas por los alumnos y tutores del programa. Este programa utiliza un conjunto de recursos flexibles en línea que son basados en actividades y diseñados para ofrecer alternativas en la elección de los itinerarios de estudio y los modos de aprendizaje. Nuestra investigación ha identificado cuatro estrategias principales utilizadas por los alumnos cuando están trabajando con esos recursos: los universalistas, las mariposas, los mutantes y los minimalistas. Discutimos de esas estrategias y examinamos el valor que los alumnos piensan que han sacado del programa flexible. Las estrategias identificadas conllevan consecuencias para los diseñadores y facilitadores de cursos como la necesidad de mayor énfasis en el proceso del curso (más que en el contenido propio) y al mismo tiempo un apoyo para el desarrollo de la confianza de los alumnos.     

A systematic review of controlled trials evaluating interventions in adult literacy and numeracy

This paper reports a systematic review of the quasi‐experimental literature in the field of adult literacy and numeracy, published between 1980 and 2002. We included 27 controlled trials (CTs) that evaluated strategies and pedagogies designed to increase adult literacy and numeracy: 18 CTs with no effect sizes (incomplete data) and 9 CTs with full data. These nine trials are examined in detail for this paper. Of these nine trials, six evaluated interventions in literacy and three evaluated interventions in literacy and numeracy. Three of the nine trials showed a positive effect for the interventions, five trials showed no difference and one trial showed a positive effect for the control treatment. The quality of the trials was variable, but many of them had some methodological problems. There was no evidence of publication bias in the review. There have been few attempts to expose common adult literacy or numeracy programmes to rigorous evaluation and therefore in terms of policy and practice it is difficult to make any recommendations as to the type of adult education that should be supported. In contrast, however, the review does provide a strong steer for the direction to be taken by educational researchers: because of the present inadequate evidence base rigorously designed randomised controlled trials and quasi‐experiments are required as a matter of urgency.     

Enabling critical reflection on research supervisory practice

This paper describes the development of an instrument—The Reflective Supervisor Questionnaire (RSQ). The RSQ maps the domain of research supervisory practice as a facilitative process involving educational tasks and activities. It is designed to assist research supervisors explore, by means of self‐reflection and reflection on feedback from others, how they practise supervision. In developing the RSQ 58 items were generated describing 5 hypothesised constructs derived from prior research. The resulting instrument was tested on postgraduate research students in 2 institutions. The questionnaire correlated highly with an established questionnaire supervision scale and with an overall satisfaction measure. Four factors identified in an exploratory analysis closely approximated the hypothesised constructs and extended the theoretical framework being developed. These 4 factors identified 4 subsets of facilitative supervisory practice: Progressing the Candidature, Mentoring, Coaching the Research Project, and Sponsoring Student Participation in Academic/Professional Practice. Issues in the interpretation of the findings and the possible usage in academic development programs of an instrument based on them are discussed.     

扭转乾坤--变解雇为受雇

关键条目:●应聘时谈到被上一个老板解雇是相当艰涩的过程。●事先想好如何做出诚实而又合适的回答。●即使一个小小的善意谎言也会使你失去这份新工作。“我最初的老板很不错,但他走了之后,接替他的新老板与我关系并不融洽,我们两个性格中共同点太少了。她不断地改变做事的方法和规则,比如同样的事情今天会让你这么做,明天又会那样。我并非一个难以跟上级相处的人,但这个新的女上司在管理方法上太独断专横了点。”像这样的陈述也许在解释为何会被解雇时不足为奇吧,然而却不是将状况说清楚的好办法。面试官极有可能把你定义为一个牢骚满腹之人,在面试过程中说过去上司的坏话可是会置你于死地哦。没有人会乐意听到其他人的短处,特别是那些他们压根不认识的人。