Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector: Session 1

[historianheidi]

I think this first session went pretty well. Most of it was introductory so I didn’t have to do much talking. I suspect I might be the class swot because I was the only one who already had some of the recommended textbooks for the course :). There are roughly 22 of us and I’m the only person who wants to teach history (there are a wide range of

Comments

[myladyswardrobe]

My mini teach was only 15 minutes long with 5 minutes feedback. That's really very little time. Half an hour is a bit better and should allow you to give the students an activity which builds on what you're teaching and consolidates it. And they learn something new.

Don't worry about it too much. Just plan it well in advance.

Good luck.

[historianheidi]

Thank you. I shall bear that in mind! Have been looking at my homework for this week and think I am OK with most of it but for some reason am suffering from a mental block about what to write in my learning journal I know what we did-I just need to work out how to relate that to how I could develop my practical skills and knowledge and understanding. as a result of the session. I'm probably making it more complicated than it actually is!

[myladyswardrobe]

Oh - Learning or Reflective Practice Journals. These are such stupid things! Not a SINGLE practicing teacher writes them after they have qualified. Because they don't help at all.

The only "reflective practice" is the natural thinking after a situation which any thinking person does naturally. They don't need to artificially think it through and write a long essay all about it. Its impossible to get into this kind of habit when one is teaching properly - the contact hours plus preparation plus assessment hours on their own will preclude anyone from then writing even a page on EVERY single lesson!

Anyway, its a hoop that needs to be jumped, and to help you, set out the journal in a similar way to this:

Set the scene. (What was the lesson about - either one you've BEEN taught or one you are delivering).
This is the "story" - there is no analysis.

What was good/What could be improved? (This is fairly self explanatory, but is where you are analysing the situation)

Learning points (From the analysis, identify what you can do to

[historianheidi]

Thank you for this. Of course I don't mind about the length. It will come in tremedously useful and I'm very grateful that you took the time to post it for me.
I think I would have less of a mental block if it was actually about a lesson I'd taught (what went well or badly), but the session basically consisted of introductions/icebreakers, the important points in the course guide, the use of the reflective journal (which I helpfully don't appear to have made any notes about), ground rules and what makes a good/bad teaching experience. Actually, typing that out has helped...
The journal asks 4 questions for each week of the course and differentiates between developing practical skills and developing knowledge and understanding as a result of the activities in the session. I think that's the bit that has thrown me, but I may be overthinking it.
Anyway, as a result of our conversation, I think I have a better idea of what I'm doing so thank you again for that.