Alistair Law PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Alistair N R Law Age: 52 Current occupation: None Where you live: Aberdeenshire Your program: Possible Worlds Start date: December 2007 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? Searching for a philosophy course as one option to take forward when I stopped working. Google found a number of options. Pathways stood out as giving the option of a taking a short course to see how thinks might progress to doing a degree. That Pathways is also involved in mentoring for degrees was the clincher. What alternatives were you considering at the time? Degrees at other universities or just self directed study. The first seemed too large an initial commitment and the second might be hard to maintain. What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? A reasonably cheap introduction to philosophy as an academic study with the clear option of moving to a degree if the subject and the Pathways team turned out to be suitable. How do you feel about that decision now? Spot on. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? Possible Worlds How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? What would be too easy? I think this is a subject you make difficult for yourself. What you need is good pointers for the direction to take and the questions to ask yourself to guide this process. I find the study materials do that pretty well. How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? As far as they go they compare well. Again as they are meant to lead your thinking they don't have the repetition and detail of a text book or the references. That last would be a useful addition. Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? This was the right choice for me at this time. I do have specific interests in some of the other units but the intention in taking Possible Worlds was as a trial before going forward to the degree course. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? Haven't used the web pages as much as I possibly should. What I have read through has been useful though I have usually ended up expanding my searching to other resources until I find what I want or am directed towards a book that fullfils my needs. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? Getting all the cross connections in to ensure that all related information can be found where ever you start looking. Well aware this is a big job and not that easy to do well. In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? The texts from students are a good illustration of what is expected and the outlines are pretty clear so I would say yes up to a point but studying philosophy is a hard thing to demonstrate on a web page as its about active thinking not passive reading of Web pages. That I feel is just the reality of it no reflection on the contents of the Web site. 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? Yes How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? Works pretty well. All the improvements I can think of involve more time from the mentor which I suspect is just not available. While it could be useful to continue discussion of all previous units as the course progresses I am well aware that there is only limited time available for what you charge. On balance the reasonable cost seems to match the mentoring effort pretty well. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? All my other philosophical studies have been self-directed so can't give an opinion. 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? Not sure. Would have to think about it. The issue I have is that at the moment I am not keen to set the time aside that would be required. That would probably change if I took up the degree course but I do find I can fill all available time with reading. Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? Forums for your students to discuss topics further. This of course would require sufficient students at a given point in your courses at one time and I suspect the numbers might be too small. 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? Taken a lot more time than I thought it would! Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Yes. Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? Will probably move on to take a degree. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? None. 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? I will think about this but nothing comes to mind at the moment. Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? Not for me. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? No. Distance learning is a great way to keep the carbon footprint small. Would not want to spoil that. Web conferencing technology would seem to me to be the way to do these things. 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? That is an interesting challenge to do the course work with the possibility of publication. I suspect I would not personally aim for that but could see it as a good motivator for some. 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? A little to early in my philosophy career for this. Maybe later. 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? N/A If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? N/A 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? How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? The course has done what I desired and given me direction in my philosophical studies. That is positive. I might have liked to discuss some topics a much greater length but accept that there are limits on the time available from your mentors for what you charge. 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? Feel free. 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.