MA Education - Practice-based Learning Success for Keith Robson

"I have a great belief in the positive power of education having served on the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, acted as director of NUS Scotland and undertaken duties as a school governor in North London.

So when I found out I was able to study on a work-related, practice-based course to develop my skills and knowledge through my employers, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) where I am the National Official for Scotland, I had no hesitation at all in taking things forward.

ATL positively encourages its staff to develop their knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis and it was through their innovative partnership with Edge Hill University, one of the leading universities in the country for the development of the children's workforce in schools and other settings, I found out I was able to work towards an MA in Education.  Engaging with this flexible programme enabled me to develop my skills, and importantly my thoughts, about how as an organisation ATL can best approach professional development for its members.

In addition to a very busy role for ATL I had my hands full with a newborn baby so my time was at a premium. Working with Edge Hill tutors I plotted my individual route through the MA that suited my professional interests and the study time I had available. Distance is no barrier to this programme as much of the learning is practice-based, centred on my role in my setting. Even though I am based in Scotland I still had full access to personal tuition and guidance throughout the programme and never felt ‘distant' as a learner.

As a discerning lifelong learner, who wants his learning to have real impact on his own professional practice, the advice I'd give to anyone thinking of doing similar would be to take full advantage of the exciting, innovative and unique partnership between ATL and Edge Hill University that enables ATL members to get academic credit at Foundation degree or Masters degree level free."