The name is absent

247

and the possibility of improvement and change is seen to depend upon
regularity of contact between school and Institute staff here, school
groups and visiting tutors.

PGCE in process of teacher education

With the focus upon aspects of the critical issue of gender and edu-
cation it is suggested that students’ personal experience is an
essential element. There is the immediate experience of the school

and the

assroom

which

should be

taken into account

but equally

previous experience.

If the aiι

of such work is changing

professional

practice and discourse then this has to be allowed for in the .mode

of working.

7.1 Responsive structures

a) Role of visiting tutor

Whilst visiting tutors interpret their roles differently and this

relates to personal and institutional factors it is worthwhile isola-
ting features of the role that have been developed in relation to
the Alternative Course. Here tutors have been staff with responsi-
bility at or above the level of Head of Department, and frequently
have been involved in or ɪesp onsible for interdepartmental work in

school. Such experience gives visiting tutors a detailed knowledge

of areas of the school over time and this is as much future oriented

as it is past.

This is important for professional knowledge is as

much

do with guiding

future actions and policy as it is with

evaluating or explaining

what currently exists.

To understand a

school or a class within it the observer as well as the practitioner

245