Educational work

Below you will find information on:

• What is the Good Learning Practice?
  
• What services are provided?
  
• Coordinator Charmaine McKissock
  
• Workshops; Training, including feedback from clients.
  
• What kind of support and tuition do learners receive?
  

 

  What is The Good Learning Practice?

The Good Learning Practice is a group of committed and competent professionals working in Education, Social & Community projects, Health Care and the Arts. We aim first and foremost  to make a difference to people's lives. We work creatively and systematically to meet the needs of individuals with learning challenges.





Who is the Coordinator?
It is coordinated by Charmaine McKissock, who has earned a reputation over 30 years, as a caring, creative and competent specialist in Education and Specific Learning Difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia . She has worked as a senior lecturer,  trainer, assessor, writer and manager in universities, adult education and community projects. Charmaine works freelance as a consultant trainer, writer and illustrator: her practice is based in North East Essex, but extends across the UK. Charmaine is known to be very thorough, reliable and well-organized, as well as creative.It is important to her make sure that each participant's or client's needs are met.  She likes to work both independently and as part of a small team of committed colleagues.

What services  are provided?

We provide a range of high-quality tailor-made services and events:

 

•  Tuition and Training in Wobbly Spelling for wobbly spellers and their helpers
• Consultancy in Education, Social, Health Care or Art projects;
• Materials and Illustration for community groups and individuals;
• Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Support, including stroke survivors;
• Stress and Healing support;
• Mentoring for aspiring writers, educationalists or therapists;
• Project Management of small community projects. 
• Workshops and Training 

Here are some of our most popular workshops:

• Helping Children with Wobbly Spelling or Reading;
• Creativity and Dyslexia;
• Love your Handwriting;
•  Spelling for the Terrified;
• What is Dyslexia?
• Great Ways to Learn Anatomy & Physiology;
• Technology to Help with Reading and Writing Tasks;
• Mind Mapping and Study Skills;
• The Good Memory Clinic;
• Disability Awareness;
• Rag Rugging for community projects.

What are the workshops like?

Here are some of the things people have said about the workshops:

‘Session well run, interesting, flew by..’
‘Charmaine was excellent! Enjoyable to listen to – very knowledgeable.’
‘Informative, helpful. Conducted very professionally.’
‘The practical activities were very thought-provoking.’
 ‘Excellent – good balance of exercises, presentations and discussion.’
‘Thank-you very much. I feel more knowledgeable and confident about this particular disability and better equipped to work with individuals.’
‘Very good presentation – style informal – a real effort to relate to issues in our own work.’
‘Good relaxed learning atmosphere created through ice-breakers, group/paired activities; attention paid to individuals, and excellent venue.’
’Good team-work from presenters: mutually supportive and  flexible approach worked well.’
’Excellent handouts, collection of books and background reading  welcomed.’

  Some of our consultancy clients and associates

Morley College; Essex County Council; Islington College; South Bank University; Paisley University; Adult Dyslexia Support Group; London Institute; Glasgow School of Art; Westminster University; Birkbeck College; Imperial College; Oxford Brookes   University; Ayrshire Hospice; LEAD; The Fife Diet; Children of Chernobyl; Adam Smith College; Jewel & Esk College; Brite Initiative Edinburgh; iansyst; PATOSS; Dyslexia Assist, Greenland Grove Animal Sanctuary; Dr Sonia Eisenbeiss, Prof Margaret Herrington.

 

What study skills or coping skills are taught?
These could include:

•     improving your memory and/or exam skills
•     putting together a piece of writing (essay,
      report or creative writing..)
•     writing skills: spelling, punctuation,
       grammar
•     reading skills
•     note-taking
•     using asssitive technology
•     making spoken presentations
•     number work
•     coaching for time-management

What kind of support is given?

Coping with a learning or memory difficulty can be tiring, frustrating, upsetting, infuriating and stressful… There are however many strategies for coping with unpleasant  feelings and develop your confidence. The person who provides support for you can  help you in these ways:

•     give you time-saving tips;
•     help you organize yourself;
•     learn relaxation and stress-busting  
•     techniques;
•     find out your own best ways of tackling a problem
•     help you practice till you feel confident;
•     monitor your progress;
•     encourage you and make sure you’re on the  right track. 

Charges

We charge fair prices to cover our expenses. No more and no less. Some work we will do for free. We spend a lot of time preparing work for you, doing admin, traveling, developing new materials and programmes, keeping up with new developments in the field and so on. We do this work because we are interested in people and community, and are passionate about our work. Please ask us to work out a cost for any service you require without any obligation at all. If you can’t afford our services, please talk to us and we may be able to help.