This week
The lecture was good and held some more interesting points about the teacher as a researcher and how we need to have our own guiding principles as well as abide by the code of conduct that is imposed by our employer. It also discussed the ethical implications when taking on a research project and who will eventually read that publication or report. Who will it affect? How will it affect them? What confidentiality do you need to think about when engaging in a project? These questions amongst others where interesting, as it is important to realise who I am going to be using my project for and who will be reading it. I feel certain that my mentor will require a finalised copy which is something to consider throughout the whole task.
The lecture also discussed the limitations of the project and how far the project can be taken with the goal that has been devised. Knowing when to stop and being able to control the focus of the project is paramount as it can get side-tracked, therefore data collected would be on the incorrect topic for the purpose of the goal.
The workshop was also very interesting as we delved deeper into ourselves as professional communicators. We discussed the situational context of our projects and how this would be described in the analysis part of our proposals. I found our group to be particular useful in the way we discuss things and engage with each other. There is an ease in discussions when the participants are able to communicate with each on a personal level as well. The issue I have found with this though is that going off task occurs frequently and interruptions happen often as we realise no-one will become offended easily. I am guilty of interruptions and need to realise this, as in a professional context it can offend very easily. During discussions I find it extremely difficult to sit back and not say anything if an idea has come to mind. I need to be patient and wait for the speaker to finish first.
We were also introduced to a ‘diigo’ which is a social bookmarking website. It is a fantastic tool to allow you to bookmark all your journal articles, books, websites etc and share them in a professional community.
Project development
Looking through the questions I believe in this early development stage some of these questions can’t be answered yet. The main development this week is the learning curve I have been on through Google Sites and how to develop a website. The work involved is astounding. I am glad there are tools and resources available to me that make my life easier to navigate.
This week’s focus:
• Answer at least 2 of previous blog post questions
• Start on video tutorials
• Start on questions for questionnaires (teachers & students)
My feelings on this project are positive currently and I don’t believe I am trying to achieve to much as I want the school to have good recommendations when I finish my report. I do realise that this is a complicated process and that it can be very daunting for many people. There does seem to be a running theme of negativity towards this whole semester which has been generated, I believe, through lack of understanding of the subjects, confusion of the tasks and a non-proactive approach to learning for the last semester. I find it frustrating that my peers are unable to grasp the necessary concepts that have been engaged in the first two weeks. A sense of panic has overcome the cohort leaving them unable to comprehend how to engage with the structure of the tasks ahead. I feel it is necessary for me to assist and help any of my peers who are unable to understand the current situation. Although this is becoming increasingly difficult as there seems to be confusion at every turn. This is all I can say on the subject for now. I only hope it improves over the next few weeks.
Thank you
Al
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Week one - Internship project & workshops
Another semester begins! This is the final one for most of my colleagues that I have spent the last three years with. Many of them will be offered positions in the next 6/7 months as a qualified educator. I on the other hand still have one more semester to complete.
As part of these final subjects we all have an internship to finish over a six week period teaching in a school of a choice. During that time we need to engage in a research project of some kind. This project needs to be of benefit and use to the educational institution that we are working in. The purpose of this blog is to show the thought processes behind the creation of the internship project. In addition to this it will monitor the progress of the project and give reflective insights into any changes that may occur along the way.
This week
The lecture was about the teacher as a researcher and how we are always going to be learning. We now need to be in the frame of mind that this is who we are now as we move from student to teacher. I realise that this point of my teaching career is only the beginning as I will be learning every day in the classroom I am teaching in.
Our workshops created good debate as we were discussing our abilities with communication skills. In particular within learning communities and in a professional context. Having completed a Myer-Briggs test to show our personal style. My results were:
E - Extrovert
N - Intuition
F - Feeling
J/P - Judging or Perceiving
The description for ENFJ or ENFP were both very close to my personality.
Internship project
The initial idea for my project is to create a computer club at my school. I have already received permission from the appropriate departments within the school to do this. The next step in the process is what do I actually want to achieve from a compute club. I already have a list of unanswered questions:
Do I want it to continue after I have left the school? How and by whom?
What standard of computer literacy do I want to achieve with the students?
What do I think they need to learn?
What do other educators, parents and the students themselves think they need to learn?
How am I going to find this out?
What benefit will this give to the students overall learning?
How am I going to show progress and collect data on improvements to students computer literacy?
Am I going to get other people involved? e.g experts, parents, other teachers etc
All these questions need to be answered in the early stages of planning as they define how the project will work and evolve. I hopefully will have some answers shortly.
Thank You
Alun
As part of these final subjects we all have an internship to finish over a six week period teaching in a school of a choice. During that time we need to engage in a research project of some kind. This project needs to be of benefit and use to the educational institution that we are working in. The purpose of this blog is to show the thought processes behind the creation of the internship project. In addition to this it will monitor the progress of the project and give reflective insights into any changes that may occur along the way.
This week
The lecture was about the teacher as a researcher and how we are always going to be learning. We now need to be in the frame of mind that this is who we are now as we move from student to teacher. I realise that this point of my teaching career is only the beginning as I will be learning every day in the classroom I am teaching in.
Our workshops created good debate as we were discussing our abilities with communication skills. In particular within learning communities and in a professional context. Having completed a Myer-Briggs test to show our personal style. My results were:
E - Extrovert
N - Intuition
F - Feeling
J/P - Judging or Perceiving
The description for ENFJ or ENFP were both very close to my personality.
Internship project
The initial idea for my project is to create a computer club at my school. I have already received permission from the appropriate departments within the school to do this. The next step in the process is what do I actually want to achieve from a compute club. I already have a list of unanswered questions:
Do I want it to continue after I have left the school? How and by whom?
What standard of computer literacy do I want to achieve with the students?
What do I think they need to learn?
What do other educators, parents and the students themselves think they need to learn?
How am I going to find this out?
What benefit will this give to the students overall learning?
How am I going to show progress and collect data on improvements to students computer literacy?
Am I going to get other people involved? e.g experts, parents, other teachers etc
All these questions need to be answered in the early stages of planning as they define how the project will work and evolve. I hopefully will have some answers shortly.
Thank You
Alun
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