The whinge thread

[gill216]

And the best thing I ever did was give up most of my self employment stressful clients after a conversation with Eirian!!! Never looked back. If I ever do any extra work than I'm doing now, it will be stacking shelves in a supermarket.

[Bunnylump]

Well, I'm still there, as of today, but all I can say is they'd better not pee me off again this week. When I've had sufficient "raging time" to be able to be coherent I intend to compose a very carefully worded memo pointing out EXACTLY how much this attitude is costing them financially. Since that's all they care about they might take notice.

[LAT]

All of which I think means "watch this space!"

Keep us posted bunny!

[MBH]

I intend to compose a very carefully worded memo pointing out EXACTLY how much this attitude is costing them financially. Since that's all they care about they might take notice.

Good Plan

Speaking of the teaching profession........

3rd week of PTLLS course means the 1st week theory assignment that got handed in on the 2nd week is now back with me to give my my first 'feedback' on the way I'm answering these questions.

This course is odd that you can answer the assignments at either Level 3 OR Level 4 - the differences being the way the question is worded:

Level 3: Explain the ways in which you would establish Ground Rules....

Level 4: Analyse different ways in which you would establish [etc]

The latter has a slightly higher word count, and needs references to your research.

I answered this [and the following week's assignment that I handed in today] from my own personal knowledge, and the teacher marked me against both the level 3 & 4 criteria. Her comments:

A good piece of work. You could upgrade to level 4 by adding research. Well done.

So my whinge?

Who decided that 'teachers' needed to be 'academics'? I'm writing fully and comprehensively at Level 4 ability from my personal experience, yet I am going to be given a lower grade than a newcomer that needs to go and look everything up (and reference it).

I have no interest in classroom learning of this type - yet it's already been said that the follow on CTLLS course is very much in the style of the Level 4 requirements.

I'm a lousy reseacher with no ability to take in written material that doesn't involve spells, time machines, dragons, space ships, or other such standard objects.

The only way I'm doing THIS course is because the Council is giving me the time and FACL are paying for it. I'm trying not to be disruptive in class (but it is hard sometimes). The teacher saw me looking with concern at the sheet to fill in for the "Lesson Plan". I quietly told her that I was happy to stand up and do my 30-minute teaching session NOW, but filling in the written plan just makes me cringe. It will take me FAR longer to do that than to plan, prepare, teach, assess, and evaluate in my usual way. [Hey.... I know the 'teaching cycle'.... then again I always DID, I just didn't know what it was called ]

[Bunnylump]

I know just what you mean, MBH, I had to go through all that nonsense when I did my HLTA course. it's massively frustrating having to write reams and reams of carp just in order to "tick all the boxes" when you know perfectly well that you can teach MUCH better when you do it "on the hoof" and, IMHO REACTIVELY. If you try to plan to the nth degree, you spend all your time trying to hit the targets and DON'T allow the lesson to be guided by how the children are picking up and connecting with what you are teaching.

But, having said that, it's not going on forever, and you know you CAN do it. At the end of it you'll be in a better placed position to get yourself a better or at least a more interesting job. So grit your teeth and do it!!

[MBH]

But, having said that, it's not going on forever,

It is if they keep moving the damned goalposts - which is what has been stated they INTEND to do on the grounds of 'increased quality"

Teeth are gritted

Androgogy, Pedagogy, and.... the other one beginning with 'D' are all well and good when solving crosswords - but as long as you know different teaching styles exist and can use them, who cares what they are called?

I use verbs, adverbs, nouns, and a dozen other things in spoken and written English (and allegedly I do it propper like!) - but I don't know what those individual words mean because I didn't learn English that way, and if I want to know what an "action" word is, I've got to Google it. I don't think that makes me "thick", or "uneducated", or even poor at English - just not hung up on lables.

[Redfraggle]

Draw it up MBH like a fried egg - the yolk is what they HAVE TO KNOW, the white of the egg are relevant bits of information and the little frilly 'burnt bits' is the stuff that makes it interesting.

[Bunnylump]

You're ANYTHING but thick!! It does sound to me though that you have a similar block about Englishy things as I do to mathsy things. If you want me to read over anything to make sure you have used the right term, just shout. Always happy to help.

[Redfraggle]

and I can do the same too MBH - just give us a wee shout and I'll sort yee pet

[MBH]

Thanks to the pair of you. The fact is I want to see how many good comments I get like this one before I have to tell her that what I'm handing in are FIRST DRAFT creations.

I sit down, I type my stuff in answer to the question. I scan it on the screen, and I print it out to hand in. Over the weekend I read the printed version and pen-mark the 2 or 3 typos (which I fix on the electronic version but don't get a chance to print out before Monday morning). Basically I'm putting 'zero' effort into it because I have no time.

The one I handed in today [ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND BOUNDARIES IN TERMS OF THE TEACHING CYCLE] was done on Friday at the library while I was supporting the guy on the next computer with his on-screen learning I waited until last night after the read-through to then look at the reference handout we were given - and I'd hit (and expanded on) every point.



Not getting big headed, but although this is new to many in the class, it's "stating the bleeding obvious" for me. I can type up the answers as easy as I can type this forum post - I know what I want to say so I say it.

[Bunnylump]

Basically a bit of a case of eggs and grandmothers I feel!!

[MBH]

I always feel I'm being arrogant when I think like that - but 2011 is the 30th anniversary of me starting work as a Junior Programmer. I've been learning to teach since then - and I learned BY teaching. I have taught all ages, all 'classes' of people, many who were resistant to learning or thought they couldn't learn.

I'm a computer systems man by training and apptitude, but I think I'm a teacher 'by nature'. Some of my online friends know that first-hand

[Laura]

No, you're not being arrogant. My school sent me on a course about teaching music in the primary classroom. It was aimed at general classroom teachers who have to teach music but have limited experience. I'd done a three year music degree and a year training as a secondary school teacher, and have worked with primary age children ever since I stopped being one.

It wasn't that it was a bad course - it would have been very useful if I didn't already have that knowledge. But the fact is that if you're being 'taught' something and you already know it, then it's not much use to you.

[MBH]

and have worked with primary age children ever since I stopped being one.

LOL - I love that quote

[Laura]

Well, I have. I always helped with Sunday School, and I became a Young leader with Brownies 1 year after I left.

[Bunnylump]

I'm just impressed you stopped being one. Personally I like to keep myself mentally at about age 10...

[LAT]

I'm just impressed you stopped being one. Personally I like to keep myself mentally at about age 10...

And you seem to be succeeding pretty well too!

xx

[Laura]

Well, why do you think I do things like Brownies? I get to make everything they do, and play all the games and sing silly songs, and hang out with my friends (the other leaders). The only difference is I prefer tea to the disgusing orange juice/blackcurrant juice cocktail they all seem to adore.

[Bunnylump]

Oh, definitely PLAYING is the best bit!!

[giraffe]

Debit card's been defrauded.