Sunday 15th May 2011
Finally got the last piece of the critical analysis of a pedagogic text completed today. I am happy. Spent the evening writing up the Innovative Lesson task and now I'm going to print this out. Overall, I have enjoyed this part of the task, and although I could have been more reflective more often, it has helped me to think about my practice.
My original assessment was that I could have been more reflective, and I have taken the comments made by Yvon and tried to incorporate more reflection in this blog. Reflecting on my lack of reflection, I can only apologise: Many of the edits I have done here, I have tried to carry on the theme of what I was thinking about at the time. Most of the time, I was reflecting on my practice, but I have not made this as overt as it should have been. I rarely reflect on texts I read, or on educational theories, but I do reflect on how I feel my students learn, about how I impart knowledge and understanding and about how I perform as a teacher. I hope this is more clear in this re-submission.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Reflections - 25
Tuesday 10th May 2011
I had a letter on Friday from the Student Loan company, saying that they might owe me money. I dismissed this as a ploy and I thought it might be a tactic employed to get me to ring them to see if they could get more money out of me. Then I reflected... Perhaps they did owe me money after all... I called them on Saturday, only to be taken though a series of menus to be eventually told that the Student Loan company was not open on Saturday.
I rang them again today. They owe me money! Whoo hoo!
There has been learning from this. Persistence pays. I need to be more persistent in many aspects of my teaching, particularly in the pursuit of this qualification.
I had a letter on Friday from the Student Loan company, saying that they might owe me money. I dismissed this as a ploy and I thought it might be a tactic employed to get me to ring them to see if they could get more money out of me. Then I reflected... Perhaps they did owe me money after all... I called them on Saturday, only to be taken though a series of menus to be eventually told that the Student Loan company was not open on Saturday.
I rang them again today. They owe me money! Whoo hoo!
There has been learning from this. Persistence pays. I need to be more persistent in many aspects of my teaching, particularly in the pursuit of this qualification.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Reflections - 24
Sunday 8th May 2011
After a four day working week, I am dreading the thought of a full week in work... I will be absolutely knackered!
We had a weekend off from working on van, and we didn't really fancy going away in it... Sometimes, just doing nothing is the best way to unwind. We were supposed to be driving down to Somerset for a VW weekend, but we decided against it. This meant that we were available on Saturday to go to a friend's daughters 21st birthday party, in Darwen. We were home and in bed by 11. Old age is really catching up with me, or perhaps it is just the fact that I am constantly tired...
Work is full on, getting students ready for their summative assessments hand in date next Friday. You can really feel the air of panic around the fourth floor, from students and staff!
After a four day working week, I am dreading the thought of a full week in work... I will be absolutely knackered!
We had a weekend off from working on van, and we didn't really fancy going away in it... Sometimes, just doing nothing is the best way to unwind. We were supposed to be driving down to Somerset for a VW weekend, but we decided against it. This meant that we were available on Saturday to go to a friend's daughters 21st birthday party, in Darwen. We were home and in bed by 11. Old age is really catching up with me, or perhaps it is just the fact that I am constantly tired...
Work is full on, getting students ready for their summative assessments hand in date next Friday. You can really feel the air of panic around the fourth floor, from students and staff!
Monday, 2 May 2011
Reflections - 23
Monday 2nd May 2011
It is a Bank Holiday today and we had a three day week at work last week due to the extra day off on Friday 29th for the Royal Wedding - I'm not sure if it is a public holiday or bank holiday but the roads and shops very quiet in the morning as we went into town to buy a DAB radio for the back of the van. The three day week was a great way to ease yourself back into the routine, and we have a four day week this week, too!
On Saturday we went wild camping in Trough of Bowland. It was nice, but very windy. We made sure that we left the area tidier than when we got there, and no-one was disadvantaged by our slightly illegal act.
Yesterday was spent cleaning Carol's scooter and then photographing the scooter today. It is surplus to requirements so we will sell it. I spent a little time this afternoon on my critical analysis, but I really need to get motivated and get some hours into writing. Or analysing.
The dog and I had a good walk this morning and I was thinking about how he learns. Sometimes, he refuses to come back when on the field, for example. I can't find out what the trigger for this is, but he'll just stand there and look at me when I call him back, and you can see the defiance. It is as though he is thinking 'What can you do?' When this happens, I have to just let him come to me on his own. It's frustrating. But it is equally frustrating when a student gets it into his or her head that they can't do a particular task. I suppose I should take learning from how I handle the dog, and let the students come to me, rather than prompt, cajole or try to encourage...
It is a Bank Holiday today and we had a three day week at work last week due to the extra day off on Friday 29th for the Royal Wedding - I'm not sure if it is a public holiday or bank holiday but the roads and shops very quiet in the morning as we went into town to buy a DAB radio for the back of the van. The three day week was a great way to ease yourself back into the routine, and we have a four day week this week, too!
On Saturday we went wild camping in Trough of Bowland. It was nice, but very windy. We made sure that we left the area tidier than when we got there, and no-one was disadvantaged by our slightly illegal act.
Yesterday was spent cleaning Carol's scooter and then photographing the scooter today. It is surplus to requirements so we will sell it. I spent a little time this afternoon on my critical analysis, but I really need to get motivated and get some hours into writing. Or analysing.
The dog and I had a good walk this morning and I was thinking about how he learns. Sometimes, he refuses to come back when on the field, for example. I can't find out what the trigger for this is, but he'll just stand there and look at me when I call him back, and you can see the defiance. It is as though he is thinking 'What can you do?' When this happens, I have to just let him come to me on his own. It's frustrating. But it is equally frustrating when a student gets it into his or her head that they can't do a particular task. I suppose I should take learning from how I handle the dog, and let the students come to me, rather than prompt, cajole or try to encourage...
Monday, 25 April 2011
Reflections - 22 (new)
Monday 25th April 2011
Carol finished seat cushions at 1:30 on Saturday morning and we took Anne and my Dad for tea and biscuits on Sat 23rd for Anne's birthday.
When we got back mid-afternoon on Saturday Carol carried on with sewing, getting seat backs finished for about 10:00 pm - we had to try them out then, so the neighbours were treated to the sight of us pretending to sleep in the van on top of the drive.
On Sunday, we did some final bits and pieces but really the van was all but finished - we took the afternoon a bit easier and started ticking some minor things off the list. We have a list containing all the jobs we need to do on the van. Like Earl's list in the US sitcom 'My Name Is Earl'. It is a good system, and I think I may need to adopt it for my studies too.
Today I decided to have a go at seeing if the electrics would work on the new (second hand) seats that we had bought to replace the front seats in the van. These are grey leather seats from a Jaguar XJ6, and they are very comfortable. And the electrics work.
I always thought that I couldn't do electrics, until I sat and looked at a wiring diagram. As I looked, tracing the routes of the wires, it occurred to me that the colours of the wires were irrelevant... They could all be blue or pink or purple or whatever colour they wanted to be... the route of the wire was the important factor, not the colour. This was a revelation, and since then, wiring has not phased me. I need to come up with a similar 'eureka' moment to de-mistify design. The closest I have to this is a phrase I often use to students: 'There is no right or wrong answer in design'. This takes some explaining but the premise is that design is subjective, so the appreciation of design is a negotiation between designer and viewer. If the designer has incorporated enough visual cues to imply a message, and that message has been interpreted by the viewer, then the design is more successful. I will write this up more succinctly, though... This will really help my teaching.
Carol finished seat cushions at 1:30 on Saturday morning and we took Anne and my Dad for tea and biscuits on Sat 23rd for Anne's birthday.
When we got back mid-afternoon on Saturday Carol carried on with sewing, getting seat backs finished for about 10:00 pm - we had to try them out then, so the neighbours were treated to the sight of us pretending to sleep in the van on top of the drive.
On Sunday, we did some final bits and pieces but really the van was all but finished - we took the afternoon a bit easier and started ticking some minor things off the list. We have a list containing all the jobs we need to do on the van. Like Earl's list in the US sitcom 'My Name Is Earl'. It is a good system, and I think I may need to adopt it for my studies too.
Today I decided to have a go at seeing if the electrics would work on the new (second hand) seats that we had bought to replace the front seats in the van. These are grey leather seats from a Jaguar XJ6, and they are very comfortable. And the electrics work.
I always thought that I couldn't do electrics, until I sat and looked at a wiring diagram. As I looked, tracing the routes of the wires, it occurred to me that the colours of the wires were irrelevant... They could all be blue or pink or purple or whatever colour they wanted to be... the route of the wire was the important factor, not the colour. This was a revelation, and since then, wiring has not phased me. I need to come up with a similar 'eureka' moment to de-mistify design. The closest I have to this is a phrase I often use to students: 'There is no right or wrong answer in design'. This takes some explaining but the premise is that design is subjective, so the appreciation of design is a negotiation between designer and viewer. If the designer has incorporated enough visual cues to imply a message, and that message has been interpreted by the viewer, then the design is more successful. I will write this up more succinctly, though... This will really help my teaching.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Reflections - 21 (new)
Friday 22nd April 2011
Good Friday today
I went over with Edd on Monday (18th) to drop his van off for windows and floor fitting. It should have been ready on Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Thursday - I have been on alert to take him over to collect it, so I'm kind of hanging on. On Thursday we managed to sort foam supply to be collected from Oldham, and sure enough, on the way back, Edd rang to say his van was ready to collect;we had to rush back home then back out to take Edd over to Batley. There was a traffic jam on way (a selfish driver had managed to turn his caravan over at the top of the M62) so I was running really late and I had Doctors appointment for my three monthly diabetes checkup at 17:00. made it (eventually) only 10 minutes late, and they proceeded to take my blood pressure! That was OK, but the rest of my appointment wasn't... I will have to go on insulin, which is a bad thing.
When I got back in, Carol had done one seat cushion for the van - she really plays down how well she has done and doesn't like to take any credit for a good job well done - I just need to motivate her to finish them all off!!! The results are fantastic, though, and I am really proud of her. It is a bit like some of the students I have, with issues about confidence... I always feel false when I have to overplay the 'It's really good' thing.
The praise issue is one which I often reflect on at work. If you praise too soon or too much, students often think that the work is 'good enough', and stop developing ideas or innovations. Conversely, too little praise reduces motivation. I am curious if there has been any studies into praise versus motivation, as I am sure that it is a factor in teaching and learning. Students often complain that some lecturers give them too much input, and the work ends up being a facsimile of 'what the tutor was thinking'. This is also another issue I have to watch out for in my practice.
Today, Carol asked for help in measuring, marking and cutting out fabric for the seats. She is very organised that way (so much more than I am), and she even has a spreadsheet to work out all the cuts required! It took a lot longer than I expected, then Redy turned up with Edd's foam. We were then waiting for over an hour until Edd was able to come round to collect it which was a waste of a day.
We are planning to take my step-mum out for a cup of tea and biscuits in the van for her birthday tomorrow, so Carol is focused on getting at least the seat cushions finished (still at it now, with two more to go!)
I have just finished the final coat of varnish on the interior woodwork this evening. It is looking good!
Good Friday today
I went over with Edd on Monday (18th) to drop his van off for windows and floor fitting. It should have been ready on Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Thursday - I have been on alert to take him over to collect it, so I'm kind of hanging on. On Thursday we managed to sort foam supply to be collected from Oldham, and sure enough, on the way back, Edd rang to say his van was ready to collect;we had to rush back home then back out to take Edd over to Batley. There was a traffic jam on way (a selfish driver had managed to turn his caravan over at the top of the M62) so I was running really late and I had Doctors appointment for my three monthly diabetes checkup at 17:00. made it (eventually) only 10 minutes late, and they proceeded to take my blood pressure! That was OK, but the rest of my appointment wasn't... I will have to go on insulin, which is a bad thing.
When I got back in, Carol had done one seat cushion for the van - she really plays down how well she has done and doesn't like to take any credit for a good job well done - I just need to motivate her to finish them all off!!! The results are fantastic, though, and I am really proud of her. It is a bit like some of the students I have, with issues about confidence... I always feel false when I have to overplay the 'It's really good' thing.
The praise issue is one which I often reflect on at work. If you praise too soon or too much, students often think that the work is 'good enough', and stop developing ideas or innovations. Conversely, too little praise reduces motivation. I am curious if there has been any studies into praise versus motivation, as I am sure that it is a factor in teaching and learning. Students often complain that some lecturers give them too much input, and the work ends up being a facsimile of 'what the tutor was thinking'. This is also another issue I have to watch out for in my practice.
Today, Carol asked for help in measuring, marking and cutting out fabric for the seats. She is very organised that way (so much more than I am), and she even has a spreadsheet to work out all the cuts required! It took a lot longer than I expected, then Redy turned up with Edd's foam. We were then waiting for over an hour until Edd was able to come round to collect it which was a waste of a day.
We are planning to take my step-mum out for a cup of tea and biscuits in the van for her birthday tomorrow, so Carol is focused on getting at least the seat cushions finished (still at it now, with two more to go!)
I have just finished the final coat of varnish on the interior woodwork this evening. It is looking good!
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Reflections - 20
Sunday 17th April 2011
This is the end of week one of the Easter break, and our weekend spent at Bus Types in Oswestry, Shropshire. I managed to get the majority of the van completed, although we slept on air beds as we had no foam; Our foam contact, Redy, has let us down, and it looks as though we are going to have to sort our own foam out. Carol looked at some websites and found a company in Oldham that we will ring tomorrow.
It was also my birthday weekend, and I had a full two bottles of beer to celebrate! I was in bed by half past ten, though. I'll be honest. Not a lot of reflection or work on my essay went on last week. Sorry. I really must try harder! Mr Ceizerak was right when he kept writing that on my school reports. Geography was never my strong subject, though.
This is the end of week one of the Easter break, and our weekend spent at Bus Types in Oswestry, Shropshire. I managed to get the majority of the van completed, although we slept on air beds as we had no foam; Our foam contact, Redy, has let us down, and it looks as though we are going to have to sort our own foam out. Carol looked at some websites and found a company in Oldham that we will ring tomorrow.
It was also my birthday weekend, and I had a full two bottles of beer to celebrate! I was in bed by half past ten, though. I'll be honest. Not a lot of reflection or work on my essay went on last week. Sorry. I really must try harder! Mr Ceizerak was right when he kept writing that on my school reports. Geography was never my strong subject, though.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Reflections - 19
Monday 11th April 2011
Two weeks off for Easter break. I'm on my own this week as Carol is not off until next week, so it will be quite nice to have a lot of time to reflect. I have also got a load of work to do on the van, as we are away in it next weekend... My plan is to get up at my normal time (6.30am) and walk the dog, shower and get breakfast as though I am going to work, so that I then have from 8.30am onwards to be really productive. This is the plan, anyway. I managed it today, although it was a tough task!
I will spend the evenings resting my work hardened muscles doing academic work on my pedagogic critical analysis, and bask in the glory of handing it all in on the first Monday session back. Like I said... This is the plan. Luckily, we don't have a Monday session until the second week in May!
This has been a real issue, to be honest. Not for me, but for my students. I teach two sessions on Mondays, and I will now not see any of these students until the 9th of May. Their summative deadline is on Friday the 13th of May (unlucky for some?), and I am a little worried that they are being disadvantaged in that they are missing four consecutive sessions on the trot.
Two weeks off for Easter break. I'm on my own this week as Carol is not off until next week, so it will be quite nice to have a lot of time to reflect. I have also got a load of work to do on the van, as we are away in it next weekend... My plan is to get up at my normal time (6.30am) and walk the dog, shower and get breakfast as though I am going to work, so that I then have from 8.30am onwards to be really productive. This is the plan, anyway. I managed it today, although it was a tough task!
I will spend the evenings resting my work hardened muscles doing academic work on my pedagogic critical analysis, and bask in the glory of handing it all in on the first Monday session back. Like I said... This is the plan. Luckily, we don't have a Monday session until the second week in May!
This has been a real issue, to be honest. Not for me, but for my students. I teach two sessions on Mondays, and I will now not see any of these students until the 9th of May. Their summative deadline is on Friday the 13th of May (unlucky for some?), and I am a little worried that they are being disadvantaged in that they are missing four consecutive sessions on the trot.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Reflections - 18
Sunday 3rd April 2011
Carol is meant to be closing curtains for our neighbours who have gone on holiday (although we are now end of the first of two weeks).She seems to be a bit ad hoc as to whether she does this or not - she is claiming that she is deliberately trying to be random! I have offered to do it, and when she does go over there, I watch her to and from the house, but I feel that she is not discharging her neighbourly duties to a high enough standard...
Which brings me to the Institute for learning. Just exactly what do they do? And how do they justify the price hike they are proposing for this year? I understand that funding has been cut, but really? Or is it a really well planned April Fools joke and they have forgotten to tell us?
We have a week in work then two weeks off. I'm really looking forward to the break, as I want to make a start on my critical analysis of a pedagogic text essay. I have read loads over the past couple of weeks, so I feel that I am ready to start putting some of the research into my analysis. The real bonus is that I have a couple of old design books, one from 1964 by Maurice de Sausmarez (Basic Design) and one from 1972 by the comedically named Wucius Wong (The Basic principals of Two Dimensional Design). Both of these books are first editions (although not very valuable), and both mention the Gestalt Theory, so I can use them in my bibliography! I have been dying to get these into a bibliography for ages, as I really like the names of both these authors... I have not been so happy since I got the book 'Designers are Wankers' onto a Lancaster validated booklist!
Carol is meant to be closing curtains for our neighbours who have gone on holiday (although we are now end of the first of two weeks).She seems to be a bit ad hoc as to whether she does this or not - she is claiming that she is deliberately trying to be random! I have offered to do it, and when she does go over there, I watch her to and from the house, but I feel that she is not discharging her neighbourly duties to a high enough standard...
Which brings me to the Institute for learning. Just exactly what do they do? And how do they justify the price hike they are proposing for this year? I understand that funding has been cut, but really? Or is it a really well planned April Fools joke and they have forgotten to tell us?
We have a week in work then two weeks off. I'm really looking forward to the break, as I want to make a start on my critical analysis of a pedagogic text essay. I have read loads over the past couple of weeks, so I feel that I am ready to start putting some of the research into my analysis. The real bonus is that I have a couple of old design books, one from 1964 by Maurice de Sausmarez (Basic Design) and one from 1972 by the comedically named Wucius Wong (The Basic principals of Two Dimensional Design). Both of these books are first editions (although not very valuable), and both mention the Gestalt Theory, so I can use them in my bibliography! I have been dying to get these into a bibliography for ages, as I really like the names of both these authors... I have not been so happy since I got the book 'Designers are Wankers' onto a Lancaster validated booklist!
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Reflections - 17 (new)
Sunday 27th March 2011
My sister and her new husband Dave got married on Saturday 26th, and it was a day when a group of Rovers fans were forced to spend an afternoon and evening at the home of Sh*t, Burnley football (sic) club! It was also Carol's birthday which she spent at a wedding... Not much fun for her, but she did get a lovely bouquet. So how difficult is Carol to buy presents for? Answer - Very. We go through an elaborate charade whereby she buys herself something a week or so before her birthday, I pretend that this was exactly what I planned to buy her, and I insist on giving her the money for it and wrap it up ready for her big day. I try, usually buying a couple of DVDs she has hinted at and some other little surprise, but on the whole, I'm rubbish.
I suppose that now I am not on strike, I can reflect on the student pitch last Monday. I was very pleased with the professional way in which the students conducted themselves. It was a good pitch, and although some of the students were nervous, I felt that they gave a very good account of themselves. The next challenge we face is the PM&M brief, and the exhibition we will have to put together. This is a live brief, and students have been working towards it for the past couple of months or so, but it is beginning to get a bit 'headless chicken' around here as the deadline draws nearer. I know that this can be seen as just a practice run for the final year show, but it doesn't make it any easier...
The Final Year Show is the ultimate in panic and is usually a very difficult time for us here in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. This year, some of the students from my course will be designing the Black Book - a show catalogue which is produced featuring the work of all exhibiting students in the show. This is a mammoth task, and it will be difficult for my students (many of whom work full time as well) to fit in. And I will have to manage the process, too, and keep my Head of School happy in the process...
My sister and her new husband Dave got married on Saturday 26th, and it was a day when a group of Rovers fans were forced to spend an afternoon and evening at the home of Sh*t, Burnley football (sic) club! It was also Carol's birthday which she spent at a wedding... Not much fun for her, but she did get a lovely bouquet. So how difficult is Carol to buy presents for? Answer - Very. We go through an elaborate charade whereby she buys herself something a week or so before her birthday, I pretend that this was exactly what I planned to buy her, and I insist on giving her the money for it and wrap it up ready for her big day. I try, usually buying a couple of DVDs she has hinted at and some other little surprise, but on the whole, I'm rubbish.
I suppose that now I am not on strike, I can reflect on the student pitch last Monday. I was very pleased with the professional way in which the students conducted themselves. It was a good pitch, and although some of the students were nervous, I felt that they gave a very good account of themselves. The next challenge we face is the PM&M brief, and the exhibition we will have to put together. This is a live brief, and students have been working towards it for the past couple of months or so, but it is beginning to get a bit 'headless chicken' around here as the deadline draws nearer. I know that this can be seen as just a practice run for the final year show, but it doesn't make it any easier...
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Reflections - 16
Thursday 24th March 2011
Strike action - I'm using today as a bonus day to work on the van, and I'm also refusing to reflect!
The students presented their pitch for the A&E job on Monday. It was good. I'm still not reflecting though.
Oh, ok then... I was watching Tip as we walked today. He's a Jack Russell Terrier, and that breed is stubborn, tenacious and they get bored easily. This led me to reflect on how similar teaching is to training a dog. I'm not suggesting that students are dogs, but the process is very similar. Offer enough of a reward (a biscuit treat or a mark in a module, for example) and the subject will eventually do your bidding. When training the dog, I have found that small, manageable chunks allow me to get the best out of the dog. If he gets bored, he gets distracted and does his own thing. Give him plenty of praise when he gets it right and it means that he becomes more focused on the task. I always find that a signified start and end to the session ensures that he is clear about when he can and can't go off and play. So what was I saying about students?
Strike action - I'm using today as a bonus day to work on the van, and I'm also refusing to reflect!
The students presented their pitch for the A&E job on Monday. It was good. I'm still not reflecting though.
Oh, ok then... I was watching Tip as we walked today. He's a Jack Russell Terrier, and that breed is stubborn, tenacious and they get bored easily. This led me to reflect on how similar teaching is to training a dog. I'm not suggesting that students are dogs, but the process is very similar. Offer enough of a reward (a biscuit treat or a mark in a module, for example) and the subject will eventually do your bidding. When training the dog, I have found that small, manageable chunks allow me to get the best out of the dog. If he gets bored, he gets distracted and does his own thing. Give him plenty of praise when he gets it right and it means that he becomes more focused on the task. I always find that a signified start and end to the session ensures that he is clear about when he can and can't go off and play. So what was I saying about students?
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Reflections - 15
Sunday 20th March 2011
Should have been at Marton Mere all weekend on a scooter rally, but my brother (the reliable one - not) didn't book a van in time - I thought when he asked if we wanted to share with him, he had booked one My sister also went, as it was her and Dave's hen and stag weekend respectively. My brother came up from Dorset and was staying in Preston, so I went on the Saturday night on my own, as Carol didn't want to go. Sadly, I couldn't drink, as I was driving, but I had a good night anyway. I also got in for free, as I know a few of the security personnel and Big Paul and I used to work a door together...
Phase 2 of operation Innovative Practice should come to fruition tomorrow. Students are presenting their pitches at 11.30 am and I will see then if this is a feature I want to incorporate into future sessions. I'm hopeful, in that they voted for a reasonable student (okay, an excellent student - they went for the person I hoped they would), and the assistant studio manager is also a student of high calibre. Time will tell, though... I'm a bit nervous!
Should have been at Marton Mere all weekend on a scooter rally, but my brother (the reliable one - not) didn't book a van in time - I thought when he asked if we wanted to share with him, he had booked one My sister also went, as it was her and Dave's hen and stag weekend respectively. My brother came up from Dorset and was staying in Preston, so I went on the Saturday night on my own, as Carol didn't want to go. Sadly, I couldn't drink, as I was driving, but I had a good night anyway. I also got in for free, as I know a few of the security personnel and Big Paul and I used to work a door together...
Phase 2 of operation Innovative Practice should come to fruition tomorrow. Students are presenting their pitches at 11.30 am and I will see then if this is a feature I want to incorporate into future sessions. I'm hopeful, in that they voted for a reasonable student (okay, an excellent student - they went for the person I hoped they would), and the assistant studio manager is also a student of high calibre. Time will tell, though... I'm a bit nervous!
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Reflections - 14
Sunday 13th March 2011
Went over with Edd on Friday the 11th to look at the place that could do the windows in his van. It was over in Batley, so not a bad drive, on the whole. I got to be a passenger, so I could look out of the window - a rare luxury, as I am usually driving.
Maxine and Alan came round for meal and drinks on Saturday 12th, so again, the weekend got in the way of my grand study plans! Despite this, Phase 1 of Operation Innovative Practice starts tomorrow. Students have been forewarned, and they know that the scenario involves them taking total control of a brief. I have also prompted them to think about which member of the group they would like as Studio Manager, and to think about which member will give them the most return on their investment of trust based on performance and therefore grades at the end of the unit. Although that was the most unwieldy sentence ever, I knew what I meant... I even have a brief in mind, too! The Design Council are running an open call to use design to reduce violence and aggression in A&E. This should provide enough scope for all group members to get involved, and should be small enough for the nominated studio manager to manage. I really hope that the students don't vote in a numpty, though! That will make my life so much more difficult...
Went over with Edd on Friday the 11th to look at the place that could do the windows in his van. It was over in Batley, so not a bad drive, on the whole. I got to be a passenger, so I could look out of the window - a rare luxury, as I am usually driving.
Maxine and Alan came round for meal and drinks on Saturday 12th, so again, the weekend got in the way of my grand study plans! Despite this, Phase 1 of Operation Innovative Practice starts tomorrow. Students have been forewarned, and they know that the scenario involves them taking total control of a brief. I have also prompted them to think about which member of the group they would like as Studio Manager, and to think about which member will give them the most return on their investment of trust based on performance and therefore grades at the end of the unit. Although that was the most unwieldy sentence ever, I knew what I meant... I even have a brief in mind, too! The Design Council are running an open call to use design to reduce violence and aggression in A&E. This should provide enough scope for all group members to get involved, and should be small enough for the nominated studio manager to manage. I really hope that the students don't vote in a numpty, though! That will make my life so much more difficult...
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Reflections - 13
Sunday 6th March 2011
Edd & Roz came round for a meal and drinks, and we spent the evening sorting out plans for VW trips for the year, including summer - two weeks in France. I'm a bit worried about the dog, though - we'll have to find kennels for him, and I won't be happy leaving him.
Which brings me back to reflection. I had big promises about spending my dog walking time reflecting on education and study and students, and so far I have failed to deliver these promises. So far, I have whinged about many things, but there has not been much reflecting going on... I must try harder!
So in the spirit of trying harder, I have been thinking about my Critical analysis of a pedagogic text, and I have been thinking about which texts I use in my subject area. I like the idea of using something I am interested in and which I could find useful in my sessions. I have said that I would like to do something about Wertheimer and the Gestalt Theory (ideas can only be understood as part of a bigger picture), but I am really struggling to find the original text. I have found an online transcript of his address to the Kant Society from 1924, but I am not sure if this is enough. I'll keep digging around in the library, to see if I can find something more suitable. As for my innovative teaching session - I have had some thoughts about this... I want to create a studio environment within a session and facilitate a small team to work on a design scenario. I have a group in mind, and I need to promote one member of the group to be a studio manager. I will teach this group tomorrow, so I will get them to start thinking about how they want to manage this process. I want them to have a total studio experience, and I want to remain very hands off throughout the process - a bit like a Lord of the Flies situation (but without pigs, spears or dead pilots, hopefully)!
I need to ensure that the group are aware that their roles and responsibilities to the team are all assessable, and that they should take the scenario seriously. I will have a look at the learning outcomes and see if any of these can be made to fit the scenario. I reckon that two sessions will be ample time to cover any brief, if we are to simulate a genuine studio setup... Six hours on a job in industry? Luxury!
I will also need to come up with a brief which is challenging enough to keep a group of 14 designers occupied and enable them to all have some creative input into the process. This may be the biggest challenge...
Edd & Roz came round for a meal and drinks, and we spent the evening sorting out plans for VW trips for the year, including summer - two weeks in France. I'm a bit worried about the dog, though - we'll have to find kennels for him, and I won't be happy leaving him.
Which brings me back to reflection. I had big promises about spending my dog walking time reflecting on education and study and students, and so far I have failed to deliver these promises. So far, I have whinged about many things, but there has not been much reflecting going on... I must try harder!
So in the spirit of trying harder, I have been thinking about my Critical analysis of a pedagogic text, and I have been thinking about which texts I use in my subject area. I like the idea of using something I am interested in and which I could find useful in my sessions. I have said that I would like to do something about Wertheimer and the Gestalt Theory (ideas can only be understood as part of a bigger picture), but I am really struggling to find the original text. I have found an online transcript of his address to the Kant Society from 1924, but I am not sure if this is enough. I'll keep digging around in the library, to see if I can find something more suitable. As for my innovative teaching session - I have had some thoughts about this... I want to create a studio environment within a session and facilitate a small team to work on a design scenario. I have a group in mind, and I need to promote one member of the group to be a studio manager. I will teach this group tomorrow, so I will get them to start thinking about how they want to manage this process. I want them to have a total studio experience, and I want to remain very hands off throughout the process - a bit like a Lord of the Flies situation (but without pigs, spears or dead pilots, hopefully)!
I need to ensure that the group are aware that their roles and responsibilities to the team are all assessable, and that they should take the scenario seriously. I will have a look at the learning outcomes and see if any of these can be made to fit the scenario. I reckon that two sessions will be ample time to cover any brief, if we are to simulate a genuine studio setup... Six hours on a job in industry? Luxury!
I will also need to come up with a brief which is challenging enough to keep a group of 14 designers occupied and enable them to all have some creative input into the process. This may be the biggest challenge...
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Reflections - 12
Sunday 27th February 2011
Collected the van on Wednedsay 23rd and it now works!
On leave Wednesday to Friday (although Wednesday is time back for working on Sunday - Result!) Carol was off on Thursday & Friday, so I spent some time being appreciative of her picking me up from the station, and generally missing me.
I also spent some of the week working on the van. I did a fair amount, including fitting the Water Tank and the floor, but I felt that I was slacking a bit. It was good to get some time off work and not have to worry about anything. One of my students got a letter of support from the Dean of the University of Bolton (where she works) stating that the design piece she had completed was excellent. As this is a work based piece for her Foundation Degree, I felt a little glow of pride myself, too. I did have some input into the direction she took, and I think that between us, we produced a reasonable design.
Sometimes, my job is really enjoyable. It is a shame that this is usually in the holidays!
Collected the van on Wednedsay 23rd and it now works!
On leave Wednesday to Friday (although Wednesday is time back for working on Sunday - Result!) Carol was off on Thursday & Friday, so I spent some time being appreciative of her picking me up from the station, and generally missing me.
I also spent some of the week working on the van. I did a fair amount, including fitting the Water Tank and the floor, but I felt that I was slacking a bit. It was good to get some time off work and not have to worry about anything. One of my students got a letter of support from the Dean of the University of Bolton (where she works) stating that the design piece she had completed was excellent. As this is a work based piece for her Foundation Degree, I felt a little glow of pride myself, too. I did have some input into the direction she took, and I think that between us, we produced a reasonable design.
Sometimes, my job is really enjoyable. It is a shame that this is usually in the holidays!
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Reflections - 11
Tuesday 22nd February 2011
Return home for Four Designers conference, and nobody died, got arrested or failed to return. Result! Some of the students even thanked me for organising the trip! The second day speakers were excellent, and Tom Roope's video for Lily Allen even brought a tear to my eye! The whole place went wild when he finished speaking. After the conference, we went out to Hockston (or near there) to see an exhibition of posters designed by Saul Bass. I must say, it was underwhelming! The posters were not bad, (although the gallery was tiny), but when seen as a collection, I can't help but feel that Saul was a bit formulaic in his approach to film poster design. I know that I will be hung by the Bass police for saying such a sinful thing, but we are all entitled to our opinions, especially when it comes to design. I got more good news today, too - Edd checked with garage, and the van is ready to collect (although I will have to get it tomorrow). The price was reasonable - £320, and I didn't expect it to be that low with a diesel pump rebuild on the list of jobs. Just got in after dropping off one of the students, as he failed to organise a lift home for himself. Luckily, Carol is a good egg, and didn't complain (even though we had to drop Jenna in Accrington too).
Absolutely knackered, and I'm sick of counting students. I'll sleep tonight!
Return home for Four Designers conference, and nobody died, got arrested or failed to return. Result! Some of the students even thanked me for organising the trip! The second day speakers were excellent, and Tom Roope's video for Lily Allen even brought a tear to my eye! The whole place went wild when he finished speaking. After the conference, we went out to Hockston (or near there) to see an exhibition of posters designed by Saul Bass. I must say, it was underwhelming! The posters were not bad, (although the gallery was tiny), but when seen as a collection, I can't help but feel that Saul was a bit formulaic in his approach to film poster design. I know that I will be hung by the Bass police for saying such a sinful thing, but we are all entitled to our opinions, especially when it comes to design. I got more good news today, too - Edd checked with garage, and the van is ready to collect (although I will have to get it tomorrow). The price was reasonable - £320, and I didn't expect it to be that low with a diesel pump rebuild on the list of jobs. Just got in after dropping off one of the students, as he failed to organise a lift home for himself. Luckily, Carol is a good egg, and didn't complain (even though we had to drop Jenna in Accrington too).
Absolutely knackered, and I'm sick of counting students. I'll sleep tonight!
Monday, 21 February 2011
Reflections - 10
Monday 21st February 2011
Four Designers conference was excellent as usual. the speakers were really good, and I was inspired enough to buy a notepad to practice my doodles after seeing Paul Davis. Spoke to him this evening as well, at the staff/organisers do, and he was a bit arrogant, in that London way, but he may have been nervous, causing him to overcompensate.
Last night, we went for our usual London Curry and spent the evening with students in a bar around the corner. Still doing head counts at every opportunity, but I can start to relax a tiny bit now. Only one more day to go, and as long as I get them all back safely, I can enjoy the rest of Half Term when I get home.
Some of the students went out tonight around the West End, so I am waiting for that call from Hotel Security (or the Police)...
Four Designers conference was excellent as usual. the speakers were really good, and I was inspired enough to buy a notepad to practice my doodles after seeing Paul Davis. Spoke to him this evening as well, at the staff/organisers do, and he was a bit arrogant, in that London way, but he may have been nervous, causing him to overcompensate.
Last night, we went for our usual London Curry and spent the evening with students in a bar around the corner. Still doing head counts at every opportunity, but I can start to relax a tiny bit now. Only one more day to go, and as long as I get them all back safely, I can enjoy the rest of Half Term when I get home.
Some of the students went out tonight around the West End, so I am waiting for that call from Hotel Security (or the Police)...
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Reflections - 9
Sunday 20th February 2011
In the week, the van was dropped off at a local garage - I was panicking a bit about the potential cost, but it looks as though the van had a factory fitted imobiliser that had stopped working, so it wouldn't start - We had to pay to get an immobiliser fitted for our insurance, so we should have checked more closely as we could have saved that expense. I'm just wondering if we did something to immobiliser when fitting central locking system? There were a few wires that we were unsure about. Garage told me that they had sent the diesel pump to be re-built - I'm expecting more expense on this, and I'm now wondering if this van might prove to be problematic?
Writing this on the train to London, and this is the first day of 3-day with students at the 4Designers conference. One student did not show, despite me calling him all morning. I had to get another student to call his Dad, as he had issues with English, and my Gujarati is terrible. We successfully negotiated a train change at Manchester, although a couple of the smokers cut it a bit fine... All on board now, and I've done my ninth head count of the day - another five more head counts and I can relax for the evening!
In the week, the van was dropped off at a local garage - I was panicking a bit about the potential cost, but it looks as though the van had a factory fitted imobiliser that had stopped working, so it wouldn't start - We had to pay to get an immobiliser fitted for our insurance, so we should have checked more closely as we could have saved that expense. I'm just wondering if we did something to immobiliser when fitting central locking system? There were a few wires that we were unsure about. Garage told me that they had sent the diesel pump to be re-built - I'm expecting more expense on this, and I'm now wondering if this van might prove to be problematic?
Writing this on the train to London, and this is the first day of 3-day with students at the 4Designers conference. One student did not show, despite me calling him all morning. I had to get another student to call his Dad, as he had issues with English, and my Gujarati is terrible. We successfully negotiated a train change at Manchester, although a couple of the smokers cut it a bit fine... All on board now, and I've done my ninth head count of the day - another five more head counts and I can relax for the evening!
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Reflections - 8 (new)
Sunday 13th February 2011
All weekend (in the cold and the wet and the mud at the top of the drive) spent trying to get the van working with Edd. Tried everything, with no joy. Edd knows of a place that we can take it to, though, but it looks expensive. Maybe a £750 diesel pump expensive. Didn't reflect much while working on the van, as I was too worried about the demise of the van.
I think I'm too worried to think about anything at the moment. It is the 4Designers Trip in a week, and I'm sure I've forgotten to do something! This is the first trip I have organised on my own (although I am a bit of a Trip veteran, having attended the London Trip since 2001 going to New York 6 times), but I have always gone as a team member, not as the trip leader. If it all goes pear shaped, I won't be happy. The paperwork burden alone will be immense!
The paperwork burden is a real feature of the job at the moment (as mentioned in the last post). Another feature of the job is the threat of redundancy, the threat of losing our pensions and the threat of the minitach session we have just done. I was really not happy with my session, but I have had no time whatsoever to put into prepping something more effective. Sorry.
All weekend (in the cold and the wet and the mud at the top of the drive) spent trying to get the van working with Edd. Tried everything, with no joy. Edd knows of a place that we can take it to, though, but it looks expensive. Maybe a £750 diesel pump expensive. Didn't reflect much while working on the van, as I was too worried about the demise of the van.
I think I'm too worried to think about anything at the moment. It is the 4Designers Trip in a week, and I'm sure I've forgotten to do something! This is the first trip I have organised on my own (although I am a bit of a Trip veteran, having attended the London Trip since 2001 going to New York 6 times), but I have always gone as a team member, not as the trip leader. If it all goes pear shaped, I won't be happy. The paperwork burden alone will be immense!
The paperwork burden is a real feature of the job at the moment (as mentioned in the last post). Another feature of the job is the threat of redundancy, the threat of losing our pensions and the threat of the minitach session we have just done. I was really not happy with my session, but I have had no time whatsoever to put into prepping something more effective. Sorry.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Reflections - 7 (new)
Friday 11th February 2011
After my late night (9am - 9pm, every Wednesday!) on the 9th February my van wouldn't start. Carol brought the spare key down but I didn't get home until 11.30. The spare key didn't work, and I had to wait for the RAC man. He got it going with some Cold Start, (a huge cloud of black smoke, and it ran like a bag of spanners), but it didn't start again on Thursday and it may be dead.
Talking through last two day with Edd, could be lots of things and I have now purchased an accumulation of parts from across the country to try, including Injectors from Kent, Glow Plugs from Preston, Return pipes from Blackburn, Glow Plug copper seats from Blackpool and a spanner set from Accrington. I have got used to having the van for work, so getting in on the scooter is a bit cold! We are going to strip down the engine and replace all the parts listed above, and if it doesn't work, I may have a little cry.
I managed to get a work placement for one of my 1st Year FDA students today, which was positive. The student in question is a really genuine bloke, and he has had a hard time over the past couple of years with a life threatening illness, so I feel happy that he is getting the opportunity to get back into the workplace. This job is really good when you can do something positive - it is a same that I cannot afford to spend more time doing things like this, rather than chase bits of 'essential' paperwork around my desk! I really need a new filing system too! My desk looks like the aftermath of a hurricane at the moment (with those aforementioned bits of 'essential' paperwork), and it is starting to depress me to go in there. Which causes more bits of paper to migrate towards my desk. It's a vicious circle!
The job really has changed into a more administrative one recently. I understand (and welcome) the need to be accountable - gone are the days when assessments were carried out in the pub on a Friday, and marks were scribbled on the back of the nearest piece of paper lying around. This said, I feel we have gone too far in the opposite direction. There are forms for everything now, and the subjective nature of assessment has been pretty much forced out of the job. Design either looks good or bad, with little falling in between, and we need to feed back (and feed forward) to students when assessing. This is not a problem in itself, but you can spend hours justifying a pass grade because a graphic element is placed a couple of millimeters awry, or a typeface is one point too large to be visually effective...
After my late night (9am - 9pm, every Wednesday!) on the 9th February my van wouldn't start. Carol brought the spare key down but I didn't get home until 11.30. The spare key didn't work, and I had to wait for the RAC man. He got it going with some Cold Start, (a huge cloud of black smoke, and it ran like a bag of spanners), but it didn't start again on Thursday and it may be dead.
Talking through last two day with Edd, could be lots of things and I have now purchased an accumulation of parts from across the country to try, including Injectors from Kent, Glow Plugs from Preston, Return pipes from Blackburn, Glow Plug copper seats from Blackpool and a spanner set from Accrington. I have got used to having the van for work, so getting in on the scooter is a bit cold! We are going to strip down the engine and replace all the parts listed above, and if it doesn't work, I may have a little cry.
I managed to get a work placement for one of my 1st Year FDA students today, which was positive. The student in question is a really genuine bloke, and he has had a hard time over the past couple of years with a life threatening illness, so I feel happy that he is getting the opportunity to get back into the workplace. This job is really good when you can do something positive - it is a same that I cannot afford to spend more time doing things like this, rather than chase bits of 'essential' paperwork around my desk! I really need a new filing system too! My desk looks like the aftermath of a hurricane at the moment (with those aforementioned bits of 'essential' paperwork), and it is starting to depress me to go in there. Which causes more bits of paper to migrate towards my desk. It's a vicious circle!
The job really has changed into a more administrative one recently. I understand (and welcome) the need to be accountable - gone are the days when assessments were carried out in the pub on a Friday, and marks were scribbled on the back of the nearest piece of paper lying around. This said, I feel we have gone too far in the opposite direction. There are forms for everything now, and the subjective nature of assessment has been pretty much forced out of the job. Design either looks good or bad, with little falling in between, and we need to feed back (and feed forward) to students when assessing. This is not a problem in itself, but you can spend hours justifying a pass grade because a graphic element is placed a couple of millimeters awry, or a typeface is one point too large to be visually effective...
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Reflections - 6
Sunday 6th February 2011
Reading through January's posts, it has occured to me that there is not much reflection going on in my posts. Admittedly, I was ill for a week, but this is no excuse. I really must try harder!
The Semester 1 work is finally all in, and awaiting assessment. Technically, it has been in for a while, but work has been so busy that I have not had the chance to do much at the moment. I have been pestered for unmarked registers from when I was ill, I have had trips paperwork to sort out for the London Trip (Risk Assessments, V5, V2s, Inside Leg Measurements for all students, rooming lists, chasing payment from students, paying trip organiser through finance, sorting out Larry and a thousand other things). To be honest, I am not really better yet, either, but things don't go away when you are not there, and the team is so stretched that it would be unfair for me to take any more time off. I'm such a martyr!
The student experience is a big thing at work at the moment. It looks as though we are gearing up for something - My guess is that full fees may be on the cards for next year, or at least a hefty increase. We are also going for Foundation Degree Awarding Powers soon, so the FDAP thing may become a big part of our lives soon. The threat of redundancies is also looming large, and some people may not be here next year... You have really got to love the Tories - Every time they get in power, they manage to make everyone miserable. I can still remember the miners strike, and the misery that the (insert farmyard animal here) Thatcher caused. I really will make every attempt to have a little dance on her grave when she goes!
Reading through January's posts, it has occured to me that there is not much reflection going on in my posts. Admittedly, I was ill for a week, but this is no excuse. I really must try harder!
The Semester 1 work is finally all in, and awaiting assessment. Technically, it has been in for a while, but work has been so busy that I have not had the chance to do much at the moment. I have been pestered for unmarked registers from when I was ill, I have had trips paperwork to sort out for the London Trip (Risk Assessments, V5, V2s, Inside Leg Measurements for all students, rooming lists, chasing payment from students, paying trip organiser through finance, sorting out Larry and a thousand other things). To be honest, I am not really better yet, either, but things don't go away when you are not there, and the team is so stretched that it would be unfair for me to take any more time off. I'm such a martyr!
The student experience is a big thing at work at the moment. It looks as though we are gearing up for something - My guess is that full fees may be on the cards for next year, or at least a hefty increase. We are also going for Foundation Degree Awarding Powers soon, so the FDAP thing may become a big part of our lives soon. The threat of redundancies is also looming large, and some people may not be here next year... You have really got to love the Tories - Every time they get in power, they manage to make everyone miserable. I can still remember the miners strike, and the misery that the (insert farmyard animal here) Thatcher caused. I really will make every attempt to have a little dance on her grave when she goes!
Monday, 31 January 2011
Reflections - 5 (new)
Monday 31st January 2011
Off work last week... Still not 100%, but at least I can go out now.
After my last post, I pushed myself to do something on van, so I cut holes for vents in the side of van on Friday afternoon (outside of work hours, though in case John Harrison, my boss, stumbles across this!) This is a very scary experience, taking a jigsaw to a vehicle! Never is the old adage 'measure twice, cut once' so meaningful. So I measured twelve times and cut the hole. It turned out OK, and I didn't hit anything vital, either! I must remember to impart this to my students when they are trimming out work for their final exhibition...
Reflecting on the way I teach, I sometimes see myself as a foreman in an Engineering works. Having had experience of this type of 'education' in factories and on board fishing boats, I recognise some of the more negative aspects of this style of teaching in myself. The old adage 'don't smile 'til Easter' was given to me early on in my teaching career, and I often wonder about the value of this. I can understand that the students need to respect the role of the teacher, but does this need to be enforced in such an unfriendly way?
Saturday 29th we had a Las Vegas themed night at the Catholic Club. I am chairman of the Pogue Mahone Scooter Club, and as a team building exercise, we decided to hold this event as a fancy dress evening. Anyone not turning up in fancy dress was fined, with the proceeds going to the Madeline Allen appeal. I worked out that fancy dress would cost in the region of £50, and the fine was only £5, so I didn't bother with an outfit. As far as I can tell, I was at least £45 up before I even started! Edd and Roz came a long - I think they had a good night and quite enjoyed the music. As a team building exercise, the night was a success, too. Nobody fell out or fought with each other, so that was a good thing. Sometimes, running a scooter club is more difficult than running a class full of unruly students. In fact, I'd take the students any day! At least students don't drink copious amounts of strong lager in class, then threaten to kick my face off!
Trying to talk Alan (Maxine's new boyfriend) into buying a camper van, but I think he is a bit resistant.
Off work last week... Still not 100%, but at least I can go out now.
After my last post, I pushed myself to do something on van, so I cut holes for vents in the side of van on Friday afternoon (outside of work hours, though in case John Harrison, my boss, stumbles across this!) This is a very scary experience, taking a jigsaw to a vehicle! Never is the old adage 'measure twice, cut once' so meaningful. So I measured twelve times and cut the hole. It turned out OK, and I didn't hit anything vital, either! I must remember to impart this to my students when they are trimming out work for their final exhibition...
Reflecting on the way I teach, I sometimes see myself as a foreman in an Engineering works. Having had experience of this type of 'education' in factories and on board fishing boats, I recognise some of the more negative aspects of this style of teaching in myself. The old adage 'don't smile 'til Easter' was given to me early on in my teaching career, and I often wonder about the value of this. I can understand that the students need to respect the role of the teacher, but does this need to be enforced in such an unfriendly way?
Saturday 29th we had a Las Vegas themed night at the Catholic Club. I am chairman of the Pogue Mahone Scooter Club, and as a team building exercise, we decided to hold this event as a fancy dress evening. Anyone not turning up in fancy dress was fined, with the proceeds going to the Madeline Allen appeal. I worked out that fancy dress would cost in the region of £50, and the fine was only £5, so I didn't bother with an outfit. As far as I can tell, I was at least £45 up before I even started! Edd and Roz came a long - I think they had a good night and quite enjoyed the music. As a team building exercise, the night was a success, too. Nobody fell out or fought with each other, so that was a good thing. Sometimes, running a scooter club is more difficult than running a class full of unruly students. In fact, I'd take the students any day! At least students don't drink copious amounts of strong lager in class, then threaten to kick my face off!
Trying to talk Alan (Maxine's new boyfriend) into buying a camper van, but I think he is a bit resistant.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Reflections - 4 (new)
Thursday 27th January 2011
Off work sick all week. Not good. I have been ringing every day but today I resolved that I'm not well enough to go in for the week.
I wish felt well enough to use time productively on van...
Or on my blog. I have essays to write, you know.
So how do I reflect on this one? As per the last post, I must try to empathise more when students (or colleagues) are ill. I should also try to make teaching materials more accessible - I am the worst Moodler in the staffroom, and my course is way down on the league table of 'Courses that are good on Moodle'. I have a real issue with Moodle, and this reflection may turn into a rant, but here goes: I feel that if you put everything and the kitchen sink online, the value of face to face teaching becomes diminished. I have seen may colleagues using Moodle effectively, and their students welcome the resources at their disposal. I also see that some of these learners are less involved in the research aspect of their course. It is almost as if they have become used to being shown what to research, where the resources are and which specific areas they should concentrate on. I am aware that some students can be lazy, and others still have difficulty in focusing down to the essence of certain subjects. I also know that Moodle does more good than harm, but still, I cannot bring myself to use it as it should be used, and I also find myself post-rationalising my lack of engagement with the VLE. More on tis later, I think...
Off work sick all week. Not good. I have been ringing every day but today I resolved that I'm not well enough to go in for the week.
I wish felt well enough to use time productively on van...
Or on my blog. I have essays to write, you know.
So how do I reflect on this one? As per the last post, I must try to empathise more when students (or colleagues) are ill. I should also try to make teaching materials more accessible - I am the worst Moodler in the staffroom, and my course is way down on the league table of 'Courses that are good on Moodle'. I have a real issue with Moodle, and this reflection may turn into a rant, but here goes: I feel that if you put everything and the kitchen sink online, the value of face to face teaching becomes diminished. I have seen may colleagues using Moodle effectively, and their students welcome the resources at their disposal. I also see that some of these learners are less involved in the research aspect of their course. It is almost as if they have become used to being shown what to research, where the resources are and which specific areas they should concentrate on. I am aware that some students can be lazy, and others still have difficulty in focusing down to the essence of certain subjects. I also know that Moodle does more good than harm, but still, I cannot bring myself to use it as it should be used, and I also find myself post-rationalising my lack of engagement with the VLE. More on tis later, I think...
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Reflections - 3 (new)
Sunday 23rd January 2011
Feeling very very ill... And all flu like. Don't think I will be in work tomorrow, and I rarely miss work. Hope that it gets better soon, as I have loads of assessments coming in... Hurts to type. Need to stop now. Sorry.
The point of being ill (if there can be a point) is to be able to stop and feel sorry for yourself. To be able to look after number one, and ignore the rest of the world while you concentrate on feeling normal again. So what if you are ill all the time? Does this mean that you cannot empathise with others? I have a couple of students who, for one reason or another (and because of their privacy, I do not wish to elaborate) feel very sick a great deal of the time, yet they manage to interact with others and are pleasant to their peers. This is a very difficult thing to do, remembering how ill I was at this point, and it is also very humbling to reflect on the way I am less tolerant of illness than I should be. I think that the fact that I am rarely ill means that I think that others should just 'get on with it' and go about their business as usual. I must try harder to be more tolerant...
Feeling very very ill... And all flu like. Don't think I will be in work tomorrow, and I rarely miss work. Hope that it gets better soon, as I have loads of assessments coming in... Hurts to type. Need to stop now. Sorry.
The point of being ill (if there can be a point) is to be able to stop and feel sorry for yourself. To be able to look after number one, and ignore the rest of the world while you concentrate on feeling normal again. So what if you are ill all the time? Does this mean that you cannot empathise with others? I have a couple of students who, for one reason or another (and because of their privacy, I do not wish to elaborate) feel very sick a great deal of the time, yet they manage to interact with others and are pleasant to their peers. This is a very difficult thing to do, remembering how ill I was at this point, and it is also very humbling to reflect on the way I am less tolerant of illness than I should be. I think that the fact that I am rarely ill means that I think that others should just 'get on with it' and go about their business as usual. I must try harder to be more tolerant...
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Reflections - 2 (new)
Sunday 16th January 2011
The dog took a longer time than usual to return with his ball today, and that caused me to reflect. I reflected on how cold it was, and how I wished that the dog would hurry up, but then I thought about how cold he was too. Which got me thinking that I was dreading parts of this assignment (not the reflection, the critical analysis of a pedagogic text). I don't know how I got from thinking 'the dog must be cold' to 'I am dreading this assignment'. It just popped in there.
This thought however, caused me to reflect on how my students felt come assessment time (which is imminent), and in particular, those with issues such as dyslexia. I have never had a problem with reading or writing, and I enjoy doing both, but I was feeling quite nervous about a 2,500 word assignment because it had a few scary words in it, like 'Critical', 'Analysis' and 'Pedagogic'.
I will try harder in future to make my assignments sound less scary.
Students have a habit of moaning if the work contains any kind of written element. This is perhaps because they "didn't sign up for this" or because they are visual people, and the written word is intimidating to them. Either way, the submission document for my Foundation Degree does have a fair amount of written assignments in year two: there is a fair scattering of 2,500 word reflections, 1,500 word reports and 1,000 word evaluations (and permutations of all of the above). The Workbased Learning module is a 2,500 word reflective log (much like this one), and I find it less stressful to do this electronically - It isn't like work if I do it in a blog, so I may try this method on the students to see if I can disguise the fact that they have to write something.
The dog took a longer time than usual to return with his ball today, and that caused me to reflect. I reflected on how cold it was, and how I wished that the dog would hurry up, but then I thought about how cold he was too. Which got me thinking that I was dreading parts of this assignment (not the reflection, the critical analysis of a pedagogic text). I don't know how I got from thinking 'the dog must be cold' to 'I am dreading this assignment'. It just popped in there.
This thought however, caused me to reflect on how my students felt come assessment time (which is imminent), and in particular, those with issues such as dyslexia. I have never had a problem with reading or writing, and I enjoy doing both, but I was feeling quite nervous about a 2,500 word assignment because it had a few scary words in it, like 'Critical', 'Analysis' and 'Pedagogic'.
I will try harder in future to make my assignments sound less scary.
Students have a habit of moaning if the work contains any kind of written element. This is perhaps because they "didn't sign up for this" or because they are visual people, and the written word is intimidating to them. Either way, the submission document for my Foundation Degree does have a fair amount of written assignments in year two: there is a fair scattering of 2,500 word reflections, 1,500 word reports and 1,000 word evaluations (and permutations of all of the above). The Workbased Learning module is a 2,500 word reflective log (much like this one), and I find it less stressful to do this electronically - It isn't like work if I do it in a blog, so I may try this method on the students to see if I can disguise the fact that they have to write something.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Reflections - 1 (new)
Tuesday 11th January 2011
So welcome. The purpose of this blog is to ensure that I gain my Masters Degree in Professional Practice in Education, so I guess this is a very important document. To me. If you have stumbled across this accidentally, apologies. You will not find any great insights into the universe, life or even contemporary educational practices in a small town in Lancashire, so you can click away now. You will find the reflections of a teacher and quite a lot about my dog, Tip.
Tip is one of my tools in this reflective exercise. I walk him twice a day and these are amongst the few times I get chance to contemplate, reflect or even think about things. So I guess that the dog should share the qualification (if I get that far) and should come with me when I walk across that stage towards the end of 2012.
Another time I have the opportunity to reflect is when I am building things. I am presently building a camper van, so don't be surprised if Hermann Frederick Shermann pops into my reflection from time to time! Not that I use unsafe practices when using power tools (hence I have all my fingers)! I find that manual labour is a very cathartic experience... I had to look up how to spell catharsis, and I found in my first piece of reflection that in medicine, a catharsis is a substance used to accelerate defecation!
Edit: This assignment has been referred so in order to pass the module, New reflection (!) has been added. This is highlighted in yellow, and the post title will have a (new) added to any newly edited post.
So welcome. The purpose of this blog is to ensure that I gain my Masters Degree in Professional Practice in Education, so I guess this is a very important document. To me. If you have stumbled across this accidentally, apologies. You will not find any great insights into the universe, life or even contemporary educational practices in a small town in Lancashire, so you can click away now. You will find the reflections of a teacher and quite a lot about my dog, Tip.
Tip is one of my tools in this reflective exercise. I walk him twice a day and these are amongst the few times I get chance to contemplate, reflect or even think about things. So I guess that the dog should share the qualification (if I get that far) and should come with me when I walk across that stage towards the end of 2012.
Another time I have the opportunity to reflect is when I am building things. I am presently building a camper van, so don't be surprised if Hermann Frederick Shermann pops into my reflection from time to time! Not that I use unsafe practices when using power tools (hence I have all my fingers)! I find that manual labour is a very cathartic experience... I had to look up how to spell catharsis, and I found in my first piece of reflection that in medicine, a catharsis is a substance used to accelerate defecation!
Edit: This assignment has been referred so in order to pass the module, New reflection (!) has been added. This is highlighted in yellow, and the post title will have a (new) added to any newly edited post.
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