All entries for November 2010

First Observed Lesson – Post Mortem

Yesterday marked the occasion of my first observed lesson.  The BTEC First Creative and Media guys have been working in small groups on a PowerPoint presentation based upon 'Advertising'. 

Holly delivered a brilliant observed lesson last Thursday on 'Good Presentation Technique'; and it was my aim to draw upon the key points of that lesson, throw in a couple of my ideas and then instill all of these elements into the younger minds.

I made use of an acronym I learned a long time ago, RSVP, Rhythm Speed Volume Pitch; with regards to voice projection and I made use of a monologue by David Carradine (RIP) in Tarantino's Kill Bill: Volume 2.

"Take my favorite superhero, Superman. Not a great comic book. Not particularly well-drawn. But the mythology... The mythology is not only great, it's unique.  Now, a staple of the superhero mythology is, there's the superhero and there's the alter ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker. When that character wakes up in the morning, he's Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spider-Man. And it is in that characteristic Superman stands alone. Superman didn't become Superman. Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he's Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent. His outfit with the big red "S", that's the blanket he was wrapped in as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes. What Kent wears - the glasses, the business suit - that's the costume. That's the costume Superman wears to blend in with us. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent. He's weak... he's unsure of himself... he's a coward. Clark Kent is Superman's critique on the whole human race. Sorta like Beatrix Kiddo and Mrs. Tommy Plimpton."

The above monologue was firstly ready by a student, then by the exemplar.  It worked well, or so I was told!

Overall, I am aware that I need to make full use of the resources behind me and this may now involve an element of self-teaching which has never failed me in the past.  All in all a very satisying experience.  I was waiting all morning for the nerves to kick in, but I was rather busy and then half an hour prior to the start of the lesson I had time to re-arrange the furniture, chomp an imitation Bounty bar and then it was all go-go-go.

It's a shame that this placement is so short, which it is, or at least it feels like it is.

I would be very interested to know how the observed lessons of my colleagues went.  

: 26 Nov 2010 10:22 |  Comments (6) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

First solo lesson

I performed my first solo lesson today.  It was on getting employed in the creative media industries.  Overall, the feedback says I did a satisfactory job. 

There were areas of excellence in classroom mangement, building rapport and subject knowledge.  However I was lacking in planning and resources and left far too much of the lesson to my freestyle ad-hoc nature. 

Food for thought indeed.

: 18 Nov 2010 13:33 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Another chunk of days go by!

Good morning bloggers.

I am not finding anything negative to say about my placement here.  Rich (not necessarily monetary-wise), diverse students.........Great staff.........Top-notch resources.............

: 17 Nov 2010 11:51 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Almost the end of the first full week

As it says in the subject line I am coming towards the fag-end of my first full week.  It has been an excellent week.  The setting, staff, resources and perhaps most importantly, the learners are all above average.  It is great to be part of the scene here. 

My timetable is taking a real shape now.  It was skeletal 'se7en' days ago but, now; it has a wide spread of courses and subject areas therein.  I have areas in Functional Skills, Creative Media Production, Digital Media, Filmmaking and Animation. 

I am feeling very happy that these subject areas fall within my areas of interest which are quite diverse.  Over the upandcoming week, I will be providing lesson support, solo-teaching, team-teaching with Miss. Holly Gaston and generally being a cog in the "*** ******* machinery.

As I have worked at this FE establishment before I often bump into recogniseable staff and students and it's great that the rapport we used to share is still ignited!  It is also great to work alongside Holly who is fabulous!

I shall retire for now as I do have some tasks to do during the rest of the day and over the weekend.

Take it easy policy. 

: 12 Nov 2010 12:16 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The much belated start to Block Placement 1

I shall have to keep it brief fellow readers as your humble narrator has plenty of other work to be getting on with; however the blog shall not suffer!

I am very happy to be placed in fairly familiar surroundings and was given a timetable with blocks of free time on my very first day last week!  Brilliant!  This will provide me with plenty of time to get back into the groove and chip away at the work which has been bestowed upon us.

As I said, I must keep it brief for now but overall, reflectively speaking, going pretty well thanks!

: 08 Nov 2010 11:02 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem