Education Committee courses and seminars

The Education Committee is keen to contribute to training events organised within associations and their branches, and members of the committee typically do this several times each year. All our courses have been developed with this in mind, having a degree of flexibility that allows them to be tailored to suit local requirements or specifically targeted student groups.

Teaching the teachers

This is the principal course offered by the committee. It is a modular course, normally delivered over a weekend, though cut down versions with fewer modules are also possible. The modules help to develop essential teaching and tower management skills:

Courses run locally for societies: See the course prospectus, also available as a pdf document. See also Information & advice for organisers. As well as delivering the course for local ringing societies, etc, the Committee periodically runs an open course.

See also an article about teaching courses published in The Ringing World in May 2007.

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Listening skills

Listening is an essential ringing skill, and this very popular one day course explores why many people find it hard to develop.

The course gives advice on how to develop listening skills and how to integrate them with other skills. Much of the day is spent in three practical sessions using a simulator, a listening tutor and recorded live ringing. Participants are encouraged to share their own experience and join in discussions.

Up to 18 students can be accommodated in a standard course, or up to 36 if two simulators can be used in parallel for the practical sessions. Three group leaders (six for the double size course) are required to lead the practical sessions. They do not need prior skills in teaching listening, merely the ability to 'chair' the sessions (and to be responsible for safety in the tower session).

More information about Listening skills courses can be found in the Listening skills course prospectus

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Using simulators

Simulators are increasingly recognised as an important teaching tool and are becoming more widespread, yet many people still have only a vague idea of what they are and how they can be used.

This seminar introduces the equipment and covers all aspects of its use. Participants are given hands-on experience, and, as this is quite time-consuming, organisers are recommended to arrange parallel activities for those awaiting their turn. The size of the group that can be accommodated depends on this.

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Mentoring on conducting

Conducting is a skill developed over many years and with much practice. Various publications explain techniques such as the transposition of coursing orders but for many people this is difficult to translate into practice.

This course, which is currently in a trial phase, involves assigning an experienced conducting "mentor" to each student. The mentor is there at the end of an email to provide guidance, explain the conducting techniques, answer questions, and generally try to help the students to learn how to conduct more effectively. The entry level is for ringers who can call simple touches, and there is no upper level. While the format of the course is being tested there is no capacity for further students, but those interested in joining the course in the future should email conduct5040@googlemail.com

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Seminars on other topics

Seminars can be arranged on other aspects of teaching and developing ringing skills, for example ropesight or good striking.

These seminars are mainly intended for those with some experience of teaching ringers, and participants are encouraged to play an active role by contributing their ideas and experiences in discussions. Where possible some practical demonstrations or exercises are included.

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More information

If you are interested in any of the above courses or seminars, or if you have suggestions of other topics that would be useful, please contact the Central Council Education Committee secretary:

Heather Peachey
E-mail:
Address: Low Wood Lodge, Barnetby-le-Wold, Lincs DN38 6HG, UK
Phone: 01652 688819

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