Sunday, April 18, 2004
Good news! I got my marks for the last assignment and I managed 68%, the best I've done so far. I'm really pleased as the excellent categorie is only two marks away.
I am determined to use this journal more this term, its my new term resolution. Lets hope it lasts longer than the New Year ones I used to make years ago.
Posted at 06:23 pm by jackie307
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Tuesday and Wednesday have been revision days for the year 9 classes in preparation for their SATS.The Y9 timetable was suspended and the students divided up into small groups. A new timetable was created so that each group spent an equal amount of time studying English, Maths and Science.The impact on myself has been huge as i had 42 practicle sessions each day as well as arranging cover sessions for all the Science lessons that would have taken place on a normal day. It meant that I needed to be extremely well organised and to have a clear picture of what was required and when. Unfortunaltely the organisation of the cover lessons and allocation of rooms let the system down and caused me much disruption as I would arrive at the designated room only to find it was the wrong one. In the end I decided it would save time if I stayed in the Prep room and the member of staff on cover could come to me for the work and the books. This allowed me to be there for the SATS work which I felt was my highest priority.
Overall the days were a success, and although my workload was very high I did feel that I provided everything I was asked to and that the practicle sessions were effective in enhancing the students learning experience. All in all a very tiring two days which displayed my organisational skills to their best.
I think that although I performed well on the day, the organisation and quantity of work undertaken should be reviewed next year so that problems which occured this time can be solved in good time.
Posted at 07:57 pm by jackie307
Friday, March 19, 2004
Today I was required to prepare a series of experiments to demonstrate reactions to Year 7 students. As a result of what happened the last time I set this up, I decided to explain the options for setting up the experiments in detail and inform the teacher of the draw backs of each, before deciding on the way it should be set out. This negotiating resulting in a successful practical lesson in which the students completed each experiment in turn around the room. The reasons for its success were discussed between myself and the teacher concerned and we both felt that by giving the students the freedom to move around the room played a large part in this. By only allowing the students to work on one experiment at a time kept them focused and keen to see what happened with the next one. This practical takes at least an hour to prepare and that’s if all the solutions are already made up. It is lovely when a teacher makes use of my experience and the students can benefit from it.
Posted at 08:50 pm by jackie307
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
GOOD BOOK for Action Research
Someone on First Class recommended a good book about action research called Doing your Research Project by Judith Bell. As I thought it was about time I used another source for information, instead of the Internet, I ordered it from Amazon. After reading the first few chapters, I am now more focused on what I'm supposed to be doing and how to carry it out. It gives advice on data collection and also a bit of theory which will come in handy when putting everything together. I hadn't heard of Eggleston or Medawar before! So basically, if you are stuck then I too can recommend this book.
Posted at 07:06 am by jackie307
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Outline of my Action Research
My Action Research Enquiry
A wireless network was bought by the local SRB project and made available for the school to use as there was a problem accessing ICT across the curriculum, due to the fact that we only have one ICT suite. The system has 15 laptops and a printer all contained in a mobile trolley. The idea was that the trolley was moved from room to room as and when needed. There was also a booking system put into place so that it could be well organized.
However after a couple of months problems occurred due to set up times and the time it took to pack it all away and move to another classroom. Sometimes it arrived for the next lesson 20 minutes after the start, much to the annoyance of the teaching staff. A decision was made to only use the equipment every other lesson, effectively making it available for only half the time.
My action enquiry will focus on the impact these changes have had on the time available for ICT outside normal ICT lessons and try to discover ways to solve the problem.
Posted at 03:54 pm by jackie307
Well a new blogg for the new assignment. Andy has pointed me in this direction so thanks for that. There seems to be far more features on here so its more personal. Hopefully that will encourge me to use it more. Sadly my last blogg was neglected and I am reflecting on why , was it the blogg itself or the journal? I suspect the journal as I don't really feel I have that much to report. Anyway enough of the negative , this is a new start so if i haven't written anything for a while, will someone please nag me. I'd like to add images and a guest book as soon as I've learnt how to do them.
Posted at 07:30 am by jackie307
