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Summary of Session 8

Study Circle GBR1 (Les Ford)

COURSE EVALUATION FORM FOR STUDY CIRCLE MEMBERS

Name: GBR STUDY GROUP
Country: ENGLAND

Preparation for the study circle:

1. How were you informed about the purpose of the international study circle, and was this satisfactory?

Through our Trade Group Secretary and Education Department. A little longer notice period would have been more helpful.

2. How was the recruitment process carried out, and can it be improved?

Selected candidates were chosen because of their previous involvement with Information Technology and European Works Councils.

 

Structure of the course:

3. What are your views on the structure of the course?

We thought the structure was excellent, and, with sufficient participants to debate all of the issues, and more time to do it, this would have complimented the structure.

4. How were you able to make links and connections between the different sessions?

Through our own investigations of particular TNCs and from summaries of other study circle groups.

5. Are there any sessions which should be expanded?

We do not believe that the time was sufficient to digest the material from the other study groups, debate the issues and reply.

6. Are there any sessions which should be shortened?

In view of answer to 5 - NO.

 

Content of the course:

7. How did the course meet your expectations?

The content was excellent. As this was a new course we really did not know what to expect and it far exceeded our expectations.

8. What did you like and not like about the course?

The inability to debate the issues fully because of the time restraint. This led to the summaries from the other groups not being consolidated as well as they should have.

Had this taken place it would have been far more enjoyable and less pressure.

As for the likes of the group as previously mentioned the content and also the chance to link up with colleagues from other countries and to receive their points of view on issues that you are studying yourself we found very interesting.

9. How did the course help you understand Tncs in your country and beyond?

Studying a selected TNC enable you to see the good, the bad and the ugly points that they portray.

10. What were the gaps in the course content?

One gap that we noticed was the inability to further existing links that have been created for some time, (i.e. European Works Councils and trade union links).

11. How did you gain an understanding of global issues, rather than simply local and national perspectives?

Having already gained a great deal of understanding through T&G educational programmes, it was good to expand this knowledge through the study circle links.

12. What problems did you experience in the course?

 

Education materials and resources:

13. What did you like about the education materials, and what were the problems?

The course outline and materials were sufficient for the present form the project has taken, but obviously this course will evolve and the material needed along with it.

14. Where did you get the resources which you needed?

Resources were provided by Region 1 of the T&G.

15. How can the resources provided by the course be improved?

Two weeks research in Barbados followed by a weeks golf in Sun City!

 

Learning methods:

16. What did you like and not like about the way in which the course was run?

As mentioned previously much longer sessions and a larger group would have been essential to do the project justice.

On the plus side the tutors and facilitators did an excellent job under difficult circumstances, and in some way made up for the shortfall.

17. What was the benefit of having activities between sessions?

It was a benefit as it would been impossible to have covered the programme during the time allowed for each session.

 

The group:

18. How would you describe the relationship between the members of your study circle?

Due to the fact that only Bob and Ray participated from Session Three onwards, the relationship was always good as we have the pleasure of working together not only at Herberts but as trade union representatives.

19. What were the problems in your group?

In view of answer to Question 18. none forthcoming.

 

The facilitator:

20. What did you like about the role of the facilitator?

Without their input and expertise in this field in would not have been possible to present our groups view in such a professional manner.

21. What did you not like about the role of the facilitator?

We did not have any negative thought in this area.

 

Using the Internet:

22. What did you learn from the exchange between the different study circles?

We found that we are not to far apart in out thinking and that we share a common goal and interest in tackling TNCs across the World.

23. What were the gaps/problems in the exchange between the different study circles?

Because all information was sent to one web site (i.e. Finland), we found that the delays caused in the summaries being posted did not help the continuity of the project.

24. How useful is the Internet as a tool of communication for study circle education?

Superb and without it the project would have faltered. We also believe that this medium can only expand in the future.

25. How can it be improved to make it more useful?

By the availability of the suitable hardware to enable Branches to access the Internet more freely.

 

The outcomes:

26. In what other ways did you benefit from the course?

Any course can only accentuate ones communication skills, which is and essential for any trade unionist or activist.

27. What new skills did you acquire from the course?

The ability to search the Internet and access information that was previously unavailable.

28. How can the study circle result in concrete action and solidarity either at a local, national or international level?

By continuing the contact with fellow study circles, sharing of information and using the tools we have already been learning to use.

29. How can local and international solidarity be strengthened?

This must continued dialogue and contact to enable the building of strong bridges.

"THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY RULES".

30. What suggestions do you have for the continuation of the project?

What has been started must be continued and the impetus must not be lost.

So further projects and the expansion of the scheme is essential to enable all participants the knowledge to carry on the struggle against rogue Tics.

 

General:

31. Any other comments?

We believe the Internet, as a tool, will in the future be invaluable to give the peoples point of view on major social issues that concern us all.

As more people have access to the Net the benefits of belonging to an organisation, such as a trade union will be made more obvious and they receive this information unedited.


Links Conserning this summary

Study Circles other summaries

[Session 1]/ [Session 2]/ [Session 3]/ [Session 4]
[Session 5]/ [Session 6]/ [Session 7]/ [Session 8]
[Evaluation]

Summaries of session 8

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