Taco de Vries PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Taco de Vries Age: 58 Current occupation: Program manager Where you live: Indonesia Your program: Mind and Body Start date: 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? Searching for a course What alternatives were you considering at the time? The alternative was a course at the Open University What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? The subject and the assumed level of the course was what triggered my decision. How do you feel about that decision now? I still think that this was the right course, I probably would do it again. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? Philosophy of Mind How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? The material requires concentrated reading, but the level is probably ok for me. How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? Sometimes I think that the study material could be better structured compared to the books I consult for the course. Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? No, I would choose this program again, because the subject interests me still a lot. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? Quite useful, they give good insight in what is on offer. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? Just the layout could be improved, it sometimes gives a rather oldish impression. In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? Yes, it gives a good impression. 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Rachel Browne Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? Yes, she gives prompt answers, which are useful to my problems. How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? I think that the mentor system is good, furthermore the website offers good possibilities for student interaction, which I like. You could think of chat sessions via Skype, but I wonder if I would make use of that a lot. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? This is the first philosophy course I took, so no comparison. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? I read parts of the conferences, but did not write contributions If you did participate, how would you rate the quality of the philosophical discussion? Good enough for me If you did not participate, what kind of conference provision would tempt you to join the conference? I did not make contribution because of a time constraint, but the temptation is big enough to make me feel guilty that I didn't. Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? As I said Skype or MSN offer possibilities, country based groups is another possibilities. But as it is I am satisfied. 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? Keeps me thinking and wondering about myself and others, so I see it as quite positive Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Yes, I want to continue Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? I may look for other courses for comparison after completion, but this is something I always do when shopping around. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? Benefit is a better understanding about the unanswered problems, a better definition of the problem 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? No, I did not give that a thought. Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? Great idea, but since the course is a correspondence (distance) course, it sound like a paradox. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? Yes, I would if I would be in Europe, but I wouldn't travel specifically from Asia where I live to Sheffield. 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? It would introduce an element of competition, which I think is good for selling the course, but reading a deep philosophical work may also frighten away persons starting a course. So, if you do that you may want to make such a journal available to student having already started the course. 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? Not yet 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? No If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? That's future, but I would certainly at that stage give it a thought. 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? Positive How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? I can study at my own tempo, there is a good direction of the argument, the level is high enough, but not too high. The mentor is good, I can access the site easily. All in all I am quite happy. 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 you may Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? I would recommend the course to anyone who want to start reading philosophy. Just do it. **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.