www.ringingteachers.co.uk

CC Regional Seminars

The Work of ART Explained

Pip Penney

Winchester 22nd March 2014

Sponsored by

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Background

In 2009 40% of all ringers were over 60

• In 1988 it was only 13%

Captains in the 20 – 40 age group were the most successful

recruiters

• 79% of captains/trainers in 2009 were over 50

12% of ringers were between 20 & 40 in 2009

• It was 29% in 1988

We have been losing half of all ringers every 10 years

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Seeking solutions….

Following work carried out by the

Ringing Foundation

to understand these issues, the

Association of Ringing Teachers (ART)

has been formed to provide a structured scheme to train teachers and

maintain standards with a structured learning scheme

to support new ringers

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The Association of Ringing Teachers is the management and

accreditation body for the

Integrated Teacher Training Scheme

Learning the Ropes

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A training scheme for teachers – new and existing.

Made of up two Modules…

• ITTS Module 1: Teaching Bell Handling

• ITTS Module 2: Teaching Elementary Change Ringing

Based on research at universities across the world into coaching & learning practical skills

Each Module begins with a day course followed by a period of practical skills development

with mentor followed by accreditation.

Online support from ‘Moodle’ – an online learning website with useful resources and

assessments

Integrated Teacher Training Scheme (ITTS)

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Learning the Ropes (LTR)

A structured learning scheme for new ringers

• Same approach as many other skills e.g. Music, Karate, Dance etc.

• Five ‘Levels’ from first handling to basic change ringing

• Learner has information via Moodle and a ‘Personal Progress Logbook’ of

achievement.

• Recognition of achievement through certificates that awarded for each of the five

Levels.

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The Courses

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Integrated Teacher Training Scheme (ITTS)

For existing ringers, regardless of teaching experience

Entry as a ringing Teacher or as a ringing Mentor

Teachers – ‘new’ / some past experience / well-experienced.

Aim is to improve skills and confidence in teaching ringing.

Each teacher works with a mentor and a new ringer to teach

Mentors – Actively engaged in teaching ringing and large amount

of past teaching experience. Keen to support others on their

teaching ‘journeys’ and able to provide guidance and

encouragement

Modular approach – Teaching Bell Handling and Teaching

Elementary Change Ringing. Each is independent and is linked

to membership of ART when successfully completed (associate for

one module and full for both modules).

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ITTS Day Courses – both modules

Facilitated by ITTS Tutors, usually one per course

Mixture of theoretical and practice sessions that

aim to give Teachers effective practices for

teaching. All delegates attending are provided with

a pack of teaching resources to use and are

introduced to the online learning website (virtual

learning environment), Moodle

Current cost per delegate: £15 per course

Each course normally brings together a group of

Teachers and Mentors from a local area, and

encourages working as a group to share best

practice. ART welcomes requests for ITTS Day

Courses from individuals, groups or

guild/association branches/districts

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Module 1 Course – Teaching Bell Handling

Practical sessions:•The basic components•Joining both strokes together•Teaching ringing up and down•Solving common handling faults

Theory sessions•Teaching a skilled activity•Becoming a good teacher•Solving common handling problems•Introduction to Moodle and follow-up

Teachers and mentors working together throughout the day

Emphasis on use of teaching techniques, skills development, effective feedback, sharing of

good practices/resources, and an active discussion forum etc

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Module 2 Course – Teaching Elementary Change Ringing

Practical sessions:•Developing foundation skills•Skills building for Plain Hunt•Easy steps to Bob Doubles•Using unusual ringing methods in teaching

Theory sessions•Importance of foundation skills•Coaching considerations•Running a good practice•Use of Moodle and follow-up

Teachers and mentors working together throughout the day

Emphasis on use of teaching techniques, skills development, effective feedback, coaching

styles, sharing of good practices/resources, and an active discussion forum etc

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Completing the modules

The two day courses are only the start!

On-going skills development for the Teacher, supported by the Mentor

who offers guidance and advice. Teacher works with new/developing

learner(s), ideally by using ‘Learning the Ropes’

Potential use of ‘follow-on’ courses or sessions, group work, teaching

clusters and the VLE.

ITTS promotes consistency of approach and should allow for multiple

teachers to train any single ringer

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Teacher assessment and accreditation:

• The teacher

• Works through Teacher Training Logbook (provided on the day courses), checked, discussed with and signed off by Mentor

• Completes on-line assessment (via Moodle), declaration of acceptance of ART policies for membership and carries out an assessed teaching lesson (or two for Module 2) observed by an ITTS Course Tutor or independent and already accredited Mentor

• Two years allowed for Module 1 completion; one year for Module 2

• Mentors can also achieve accreditation and ART membership

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ART membership benefits

• On-going teacher support

• On-going teacher development

• Professional standards

• Independent Educational Advisor

• Course development (ITTS)

• Access to ‘Learning The Ropes’ and ‘Beyond Learning the Ropes’ (newly designed for

more advanced ringing) structured learning schemes

• Recruitment support

• Liability insurance for teaching (if 18 or over)

• Safeguarding policy/best practice

• Health & Safety Best practice for teaching

• Online resources via the VLE (Moodle)

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Moodle

The ITTS is backed up by a Moodle site

Modulated Object Orientated Dynamic Learning Environment

On line educational resource as used by schools and colleges

Helps with planning course calendars

Keeps records

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Moodle Front Page

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What does Moodle provide?

• For new ringers –

– Videos -history- worksheets- quizzes- ringing jargon and more

• For Teachers – Module 1 and Module 2

– Teaching Resources – power points theory from courses- about teaching and coaching skills – Learning the Ropes - Teaching Toolboxes- recruitment advice

• For Mentors

– Guidance notes

• For Tutors– Course materials for teaching the Modules

• For ART members Health and safety-code of practice- safeguarding-working with your groups- Beyond Learning the Ropes

• For the Management Committee -Management documents

• Administrative documents and resources

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Certificates

Teacher and Mentor

Teacher gets certificate of ART Membership

New Ringers

Learning the Ropes certificates

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Feedback

• After each course the delegates complete a feedback form

• The form is completed anonymously

• Space is provided to write comments and suggestions

• Data and comments are stored on the Moodle site

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Overall course feedback

72

102

59

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2 2 2 1 0 00

20

40

60

80

100

120

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Excellent Poor

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Feedback Comments

Really enjoyed the day and found all sessions were broken down into smaller easy to understand skills.'

'Liked mix theory and practical.'

'Immense enthusiasm and skill…'

'...the course has helped us enormously as a tower. We have been able to introduce some of the methods taught on the

training day and our ringing has improved. We are now moving on. And all of this because of the experience of the training day.'

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Financial Support from the Ringing Foundation

• Large administrative load

• The Ringing Foundation awarded us a grant to help support the

project

• The project runs for two years

• We have targets to meet

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Our Targets by December 2014

60 courses

200 teachers accredited Module 1

140 teachers accredited Module 2

500 new ringers enrolled on to Moodle and/or Learning the Ropes

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How are we doing?

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Courses run from 2010 - 2013

0

10

20

30

40

50

1

ITTS courses run 2010-2013

2010 2011 2012 2013

5335

118

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Accreditations to February 2014

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Total ART Membership to February 2014

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New Ringers to Moodle

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New Ringers registered to Moodle

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Learning the Ropes to February 2014

Total

344 certificates

300 ringers

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So where next?

Training for mentors

– Mentor Development Workshop

Training for tutors

– New systems in place for new tutors - 2013

– New systems in place for existing tutors - 2015

For teachers

– Resources –

– Teaching Toolboxes for running courses

– Youth toolbox

– Recruitment Video

– CPD

For ringers

– Development of resources for teachers to use

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‘Mountains to climb’

•Communication - promotion, marketing and engagement with ART/ITTS

•Keeping up with the interest from the ringing community so that it is

seen as effective

•Not being overburdened by bureaucracy and admin., but at the same

time being thorough and maintaining standards

•Ensuring consistency across all delivery of ITTS

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For more information go to ART website

www.ringingteachers.co.uk