Chris Kershaw PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Christopher Stephen Kershaw Age: 60 Current occupation: Retired Where you live: Haxey S. Yorkshire Your program: Pathways program A Start date: June 2007 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? Word of mouth. Was looking for a philosophy course. Looking at local Further Education possibilities. Have followed short courses at Sheffield, Hull, Grimsby. Have looked at Open University courses. What alternatives were you considering at the time? Open University What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? Interest How do you feel about that decision now? Mixed reactions. I have enjoyed much of the work but disappointed at the response. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? The Possible World Machine How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? Too easy. I thought that they might have some value in embedding philosophical ideas in a 'friendly' format, but I found them a little superficial, lacking rigour and somewhat diffuse. How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? As above. Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? As a taster of the Pathways material quite adequate. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? Not really used them. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Geoffrey Klempner Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? No. The feedback has been on time but extremely limited, somewhat elusive, failing to properly explain and expand on comments, repeated failure to answer specific questions and requests for further elucidation and clear evidence that my work was not read fully. I had the distinct impression that I was being regarded as a nuisance. There was no feeling of real tutorship. How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? Could work well in principle but the content unsatisfactory as above. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? Poorly. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? No. If you did participate, how would you rate the quality of the philosophical discussion? If you did not participate, what kind of conference provision would tempt you to join the conference? Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Will continue studying philosophy but not as a direct motivation of the program. Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? Leading a U3A philosophy discussion group. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? It has made me research a great deal, following up comments that did not really explain the problem themselves but made glancing references to philosophers and positions. This I have found very valuable. It has provided the impetus to actually think through philosophy and to write appropriate accounts. 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? No Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? A possibility Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? Depends upon the format and subject matter Currently, there are two free Pathways e-journals, Philosophy Pathways and Philosophy for Business. What are your thoughts about a third journal dedicated to publishing the best examples of course work by Pathways students? Sounds interesting. 8. CONTRIBUTING TO PATHWAYS Do you have any thoughts about possible articles for Philosophy Pathways or Philosophy for Business? Or have you already written a piece that you could send us? Have you have successfully completed the ISFP Associate or Fellowship Awards, or the first year of the University of London Diploma or BA in Philosophy? If so, would you like to join the panel of Ask a Philosopher? If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? 9. GENERAL ASSESSMENT In the most general terms, how would you rate your experience with Pathways: Strongly positive? More positive than negative? About equal? More negative than positive? Strongly negative? More negative than positive How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? The disappointing level of response and tutorial support. 10. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE YOUR COMMENTS Are you prepared to allow us to reproduce any of your comments above, under your name, on the Pathways web site? Yes Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.