Thursday thoughts.....

Well here we are at the end of another week, and another month. The nights are drawing in, so that means Winter is on its way......
As for this 'blogger', its a trip Up North this weekend to catch up with Family, which is a vital component of me life....

Sunday sunday......

So here we are on the alleged 'day of rest'....and so having helped youngest daughter with her English homework and the eldest with history, I find myself here before doing some research, and then off to Swansea to see Sarah Millican, who is on tour and whom I've waited eons to see live.
I'll try and apply Maslow's theory whilst being entertained.....

Wednesday

Well I think I've finished the notes for my micro-teaching session, after Heaven knows how many rewrites ! That's the trouble with being a perfectionist-  you never know when to stop !
Off to Swansea tomorrow in my quest to get the financial side of things sorted....

Malevolent Mondays....

So here I am at the start of another week, and at the end of another Monday in Uni....
I thought I was doing so very well with the ICT skills but I fell at the first 'urdle today, and it made me feel disheartened somewhat. If you're like me and have never been to Uni, it's quite a challenge to get accustomed to this entire new way of life, and to learn all these new skills.
Its not the teaching that scares me witless, but the failing of the course when you know so many of one's family n friends are rooting for you ( even those back Oop North).
I dare say this feeling is quite normal for us 'students' and so I 'opes to bounce back like the eponymous Tigger....

Quote of the week ; " In a world full of extraordinary people I'm glad I met you ".

Microsoft Microisms

My home computer has a windows operating system, through which I can access such Microsoft applications as word processor, desktop and creating a document.
My experience stems from being self taught, over a period of years,  which began with my first Pc (a Commodore 64) progressing to my own mini laptop which is more than earning its keep at present !
 I am finding it a very valuable experience and equally as steep as learning curve, given it has been so very long since it all began....
NB ; I have yet to acquire the necessary skills to use PowerPoint within this course, yet it is a task I have to achieve in time memorium.

Further adventures....

Hello fellow Bloggers....
I've added a new video link to my page. Its of  the 2 Ronnies, as I'm a big fan of theirs. Watch the clip of the Morris Dancers to see some pure genius word play.
Also, a little quiz question for you all...
Who said : "I have many principles. If you don't like that one, I've plenty more to choose from " ???
There will be a prize for the correct answer...

Inspirational Blog Homework

The Blog I have chosen to review can be found on teaching with soul This website was founded by Lisa Dabbs,an American teacher who was herself inspired to teach whilst at school. The motto of the site is "Teaching with soul - Inspiring,Mentoring,Equipping Teachers ". This is an American website,aimed at Teachers in that particular country.However,there are 5 useful and very relevant topics to teaching across the boundaries of language and terminology. These are (in brief) : 1)Be a connected Educator - take time to figure out for yourself. 2)Be knowledgeable about Web 2.0 - this ICT tool is collaborative,internet based and user driven. 3)Join a Social network - there will be times of isolation when teaching.This is normal.An online community is a place where others like you can be found to talk to. 4)Become a Blogger - it is a journey of discovery,as it helps with reflection and feedback. 5)Be reflective and reach out - share your experiences and reflections on your blog. From this list of tips and advice,I would say that all of them are relevant within the teaching field,as they can be seen to overlap and intertwine with each other.Further to this,the tips are particularly relevant to the field of ICT,in as much as each of them can be explored with limitless boundaries for the individual teacher,to develop both professionally and personally. If I had to recommend one tip from the list of 5,I would choose Tip number 4. The reason for this would be two fold : i)As a relatively new 'Blogger',it is indeed a journey/voyage of discovery for myself as it is a wholly new experience. ii)The more I use this ICT skill,the more my chances of improving my reflective and feedback abilities are likely to improve as I progress through the course. I will be able to improve on feedback given and use it positively. On the website there is an 'Inspirational Link' of the week,which directs the user to different blogs. In conclusion,I belive that the website is very easy and accessible to use (as a beginner)with many useful tips and advice to be found. Therefore,I was and definitely am inspired to learn,develop and teach.

The morning after the day before

Well its the new day after Monday's teaching sessions,and I was very relieved to get home,after a 15 hour day! Tuesday began nice and early as always,around 7am,and by 715 the washing machine was serving its sole purpose in life.Although I imagine my washing machine doesnt have a very exciting life... After the obligatory school run,off to the Gym,where I pay money every month to have the privilege of 'perspiring' in a different space.Nice. Home then to look at the current Assignment,which I'm not so daunted by now after a good night's kip.So just a quick 'blog' update before tackling this weeks ICT task.... Ttfn.

Technology Reflection

So far within this ICT lesson I have gained the knowledge and skills of using a Blog via the use of Google and Firefox. This is a totally new experience to me,having never used this technology before. However,I was able to access Google + Blogger.com using my Smartphone.I also had useful guidance from my Tutor and my Peers within the group. I am quietly confident (!) that these new skills will serve me well for the duration of this course.

In the Beginning......

This is my first 'ever' Blog,something which is so very new to me,after an even longer time away from the classroom! I have,however,discovered new skills within the IT environment which I never knew I was capable of,but have found myself adjusting to this new artificial world that surrounds everyone in the universe,probably as far away as Barnsley (If they could see me now,that little gang of mine). So come along for 'yonder ride' and we'll explore this new phenomenon together,by Jove yes....