D 3: Development of Learning Communities

As a member of the learning community at Pearl I wear many hats, and many of these at most times are worn simultaneously. The role of the modern teacher, in any case, is no longer the narrow text book definition of the dark ages as a provider of intellectual knowledge in a given subject. The modern day pedagogue fulfills numerous roles apart from that of a knowledge transmitter.

My primary role at the Pearl Academy is that of a subject tutor. My subject competencies are in the area of Merchandising, Product Development and Marketing. Given my many years in the Clothing and Textile industry, over the years I have also developed product competencies in the area of Textiles and apparel manufacturing. This broad base of knowledge has given me the width and opportunity to teach across the numerous disciplines of the Business & Technology Department. I love teaching (- friends say that I like to hear the sound of my own voice!). The pure joy of sharing with fresh young minds concepts, ideas and knowledge drives me out of my bed every morning at the crack of dawn to be in class by nine sharp. However, as a tutor I do not work in isolation but with a course team. More often than not, because of my multiple subject efficiencies I am a part of teams teaching on cross-integrated modules. To me being a member of this teaching team is very important and the basis of my work philosophy. The Pearl graduate is an output of this team effort, and strongly reflects the quality standard of the teaching and learning experience at the college. As a tutor, therefore, it is my constant endeavour to continually improve my self through expansion of my knowledge base and tutoring skills, and share this learning with my course team members and students alike.

I also fulfill the role of a module leader as a faculty at Pearl. In this role I not only have the responsibility of teaching on a module but also managing and coordinating its delivery and implementation. This requires me to understand the components of the module being taught by me, along with those that will be delivered by my fellow module tutors. Co-teaching on a module requires the module team to function as a composite whole; and yet at the same time deliver the learning based on each tutors individual subject competencies. This is a challenging role; and the peer observation exercises have now trained me to understand varied approaches to teaching, while incorporating the strengths of my module team to ensure a positive learning experience for the students. As the module leader I must ensure that the delivery of the module encompasses:

ü relevant and connected content development

ü assessment plans and assessment methods;

ü an understanding of the importance of the module aim;

ü addresses the learning outcomes;

ü delivery of enhanced learning through alignment of teaching and learning.

The Course Leadership of the PG Diploma Programme in Fashion marketing, which is my next level of responsibility within my learning community is enriching and invigorating. Interacting with the student community as members of a cohort with a common professional goal and outlook can be fascinating. Over the years this role of leading the programme, seeing it evolve and grow with the changing industry environment and need gaps with each new cohort has made me realized the dynamic nature of vocational learning. As a course leader I am continuously trying to grow my programme by leading the programme team in creating knowledge resource pools that are current, experimenting with classroom experiences of the students, using live industry projects as a teaching and learning medium, encouraging entrepreneurial exercises with students to help them grow as business and product professionals.

As a faculty member of the Business & Technology team at the Pearl Academy it has been my constant endeavour to help the department become visible and interactive as a contributor to the growth and development of the Clothing and Textile industry. Higher visibility of my department means greater professional opportunities for our graduates, and therefore I continue to stay industry interactive through consulting projects, industry training workshops, participation in trade seminars and fairs. I also network with the alumni who now work in the industry and often try to create platforms for them to interact with the current cohort.

Apart from the above because of my age and seniority I often find myself in the roles of a friend, philosopher and guide to my colleagues, especially my junior colleagues. I try and share with them my vast knowledge base of the industry, counsel them in developing themselves as teachers and administrators, help them with industry exposure whenever they feel the need for it and try to contribute in my small way to their growth and development as a member of the learning community at Pearl.

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