Reflective Learning Journals_WEEK 1

Ground Rules..Introduction

The main points I have learnt from this session / assessment are:

Today I learned about the other students and some of there ideas and aspirnations for the course.

I need to focus on my target group and what I will have to teach them.

How I could develop my practicals skills as a result of this session / assessment:

I will approach my local charity Larche in West Norwood and share ideas with them on the first stages of conducting a workshop..

How I could develop my knowledge and understanding as result of this session / assessment:

Assessment 4_Ground Rules.

Explain the ways in which you would establish ground rules with your students, with the emphasis on behaviour and respect for others

My first step in establishing ground rules would be to evaluate the student’s needs and capabilities. I have identified that the students that I will be working with will be adults with learning disabilities. My proposal is that I will give them a basic understanding of setting up an online blog.

I will introduce myself to the class and propose establishing ground rules, with the students, this would not be a one-way exchange, but rather a group collaboration, as I would like the students to communicate with ways in which we can make the learning environment as productive as possible. These will focus on.

As the students have learning disabilities, I will provide visual methods to communicate, which will assist them to express themselves and therefore validate their contribution. I will use visuals and words, to describe the ground rules and a flip board of images that explain commonly seen blog fixtures such as widgets.

When communicating I will use short sentences. Less words (3 words) to concisely convey what the rules will be.

Assessment 1_Introduction to the Teaching Cycle.

What my role, responsibilities and boundaries would be as a teacher in terms of teaching/training cycle.
My proposed students will be adults with learning disabilities. My first responsibility would be to carry out a risk assessment, and to check that the venue has disabled access.

As my students are working on computers I would have to do a in health and safety check to ensure the equipment was working and safe to use – i.e. that cables are plugged in correctly.

I would also check prior to the course if any of my students have any health issues that may prohibit them from working on a computer monitor, e.g. epilepsy.
I will also will check the fire procedures and refer these back to the students.
The boundaries I will have inside and outside of the classroom.

As a teacher I will always maintain a level of professionalism, where although I will be helpful to my students, I will maintain certain boundaries in my class. All students will be made aware of the class rules (as per prior assessment). As I am teaching on computers, I will inform the students that the computers are for projects only and not for surfing the web. I will let the students contact me, but will offer a work email, that they can contact me on if they require more help etc.

My role as a teacher is to be aware of my student’s different levels of needs. When I was a student I found that I learnt more when the teacher took the time to explain the tutorial fully and appreciated that I had a learning disability. I would endeavour to embrace this ethos and take into account my students different needs and be empathic to them. I would like to create an environment where my students are given an opportunity to express themselves in a friendly and productive space and enjoy the subject. I will reflect after each session on ways I could improve my class.

A lil bit on what I am proposing to embark on…

Throughout the last 10 years I have taken part in various community based charties.I am a professional graphic designer,I have also took studied to Masters level in Digital Art. After completing my M.A, my art practice evolved and I began making digital installation, that I exhibit in venues around London.

I feel that I am now at a stage in my career that I can use my passion for my art practice in a more community based environemt. And I am embarking on this course to give me the nessary skills,ideas and confidence in running my own art/digital workshops.