[Wycliffe Barrett VATUK4]

Hi All

Alex and I had a chat earlier this evening regarding the number of new members and surprisingly the number of mentors who are active in the RTS at the moment. One of the conclusions we came to is that because of the large number of mentors we can now try and keep one mentor to one student.

This has great benifits for both the mentor and student primarily around the whole aspect of a training program and keeping continuity for the student.

Even with the training guide different mentors approach things in a different way and for a student to have different mentors it can become confusing, I speak from first hand experience in this regard and it was not until Alex became my fulltime mentor upto my tower exam did I make a steady progression in a planned and strategic manner.

We are also aware that there are two sets of South West files presently being used with Euroscope,the Dave Saunders set and the Alex Jefferies/Glen Watson combination. It doesn't matter which is being used but we strongly suggest that if you start your training on one set then it is wise to remain on that set until the student feels confident enough to change their settings to suit if required.

Also being a non-discriminatory organisation we are aware that some student's will prefer to use VRC, this is not a problem and your mentor should be au faix with this client also.

So in conclusion, if you pick up a student try and keep with that student, and students if you have a mentor assume he/she will be your mentor for all your sessions, if a different mentor should pick up a session of yours politely refuse saying you would rather wait for your nominated and agreed mentor to take your sessions. genearlly when I get a new student I enter into an agreement with them regarding mentoring and I commit to being their mentor with their approval of course, it's a two way street.

I'm not to sure about publishing a list of mentors its not something Ihave had a chance to discuss with the RTSM, but we shall see.

Good Night

Wycliffe

This post has been edited by Wycliffe Barrett VATUK4: 30 July 2010 - 11:22 PM

[Bradley De-Lar]

Agree and Disagree

I agree with the reasons you have stated but unfortunately it could instigate problems...
Scenario 1) Callum has limited time whereas I can be available most evenings, If Callum picks up a batch of new students of about 3 on one day and maybe cant do another session for a few weeks am I ment to ignore the requests.
Scenario 2) One would argue two minds (or more) are greater than one and I personally think it would be beneficial to see how different mentors control and teach in different ways.

[Phillip Speer (854824)]

Without wanting to steo on Alex and Glen's toes IMHO I must admit that personally I feel a variety of mentos can be neneficial. Some are good at VFR, others better at IFR. Likewise you sometimes find one perso you find easier to learn from. Likewise mentors should be encouraged to pick up ant student when they are free and not just lookg for "their" students.

Phillip

[Alex Jefferies VATUK7]

Guys,

I don't want to make it sound like orders have come down saying that this is what will happen from now on, I was talking to Wycliffe about a specific situation regarding a student and I thought this student would benefit from a consistant approach, might not be the same for everyone Having said that, I had one mentor for most of my training, and found it rather confusing as a student when another mentor would tell me not to do something the other told me to do, I ended up having to have one style of controlling for one person and a different style for the other. Issues like this however, need to be directed at the mentors and not the students in my opinion!

Alex

[Wycliffe Barrett VATUK4]

Clearly my 25 years of facilitating experience, 2 degrees, one masters and PHD have taught me nothing, regarding how adults learn best. re time limitations which was mentioned by Brad, of course this could be a factor but I found what works for me is setting students clear goals that they could work towards between sessions. Lets not forget that a well planned and strategic approach can be helpful.

I have created several Euroscope scenarios that students who use Euroscope can run themselves and practice.

As Alex said it's not an order from up on high but certainly something to think about. I guess some of us are luckier (sadder) than others regarding our time availability.

Wycliffe

[Mark Cable (947613)]

Hi there,

if Alex and Glen could consider my request to mentor at Cardiff Twr or Bristol Ground, then due to my work patterns I could accomodate students during the day ie. 1200 - 1700 when a lot of the other mentors are at work and not available.

regards, Mark

This post has been edited by Mark Cable (947613): 31 July 2010 - 12:15 PM

[Callum Goldthorpe]

To just throw in my 2ps worth Bradley has hit the nail on the head for me.

I will give any spare minute to the RTS and to VATSIM UK but if I take on 3 students and I cannot get free time again for perhaps a month then that student is suffering due to reasons beyond my control which isn't fair. So I personally would like another SWRTS Mentor to take over from me. Also they may pick up on something I missed.

[Christopher Cox (1059568)]

Pros: One mentor to a student will help maintain consistency, and will allow a connection between mentor/student.
Cons: With one mentor to a student, any errors would not be able to be picked up, and therefore there's a possibility of incorrect teachings to the student. Also, as has been mentioned before, availability issues.

So far in my training, I've had 3 mentors.
Mr. Alex J for my first Exeter session, Mr. Paul H for many EGTE/EGJJ sessions to follow, and recently, Mr. Wycliffe B for EGFF Sessions.

Between them, I have noticed a lot of differences in RT, general handling of traffic, and even client (I have Wycliffe to thank for the wondrous gift of Euroscope!), so many mentors would help a student understand a whole range of different styles and different ways of doing things.

That's just my view, many mentors equals more possibility of sessions, more experience and cumulative knowledge, but can lead to discrepancies in small things such as RT and such.

Chris

[Paul McHutchison (1033217)]

Christopher Cox (1059568), on 04 September 2010 - 10:03 AM, said:

Mr. Paul H for many EGTE/EGJJ sessions to follow

H? H?!

It all depends on the student really; somebody totally new who won't necessarily pick everything up first time is probably more likely to benefit from a single mentor the whole way through. On the other hand, it can be useful to introduce more than one style so that the student can make an informed decision about their own.