Session 7
In this session we had to describe and write down:
• what we knew,
• what we wanted to know and
• what we learned in terms of reflective practice.
The following points were suggested:
• Students learn by engaging in exercises.
• Students should be regularly asked to give feedback at the end of the session in order to enable the teacher/instructor to plan the sessions more effectively.
• The use of SOLO taxonomy and 80:20 principles will engage students in producing higher achievements.
• Use of technology, wikis and blogs empowers students to search for information useful for their development and success. This point emphasises that as teachers we should be using all available resources to assist us in our teaching which will in return reflect on out students’ achievements.
We also had Dean Nuggent speak to us and he left us with these words
“Knowledge is produced in response to questions.
And new knowledge results from the asking of new questions;
quite often new questions about old questions.”
Once you have learned how to ask questions
relevant and appropriate and substantial questions
you have learned how to learn and
no one can keep you from learning whatever you want or need to know.
Session 8
Kate showed us a YouTube video of Frank McCourt emphasising that:
• If teachers are to effectively promote student achievement and create environments to support learning for all students, they must develop a deeper understanding of curriculum and instruction and what it means to teach for understanding.
• We must be honest and confident when facing students.
Whilst reading an article I found this proverb.
A drop of knowledge is greater than an ocean of strength.
Later we were asked to write down “on pieces of paper” the answers to the following:
• Who had an impact on your learning?
I must say I am grateful to the nuns and the Brothers of the Catholic school I went to for working hard on us.
• What did they do that engaged you?
Though they were strict on us and occasionally I did get a cane, deep down inside they had a sense of care and they wanted to see success in all of us.
Marg Maciver and John Hancox from Social Sciences talked on how to become an effective teacher.
• Engaged with students and be true to yourself.
• Students playing an important role and getting critical feedback from students is important
• Set the scene and get people interested in the class by setting up interesting and purposeful activities.
• Focus on building relationship with the students.
