Graffiti...

This was made by using http://www.graffiticreator.net/

Animations...

In our ICT lesson, we were taght how to use animation on 2simple2animate. There were simple and advanced versions of the application, both pretty easy to use when you know how. Saying that, my drawing and creativity skills are TERRIBLE but I was still able to draw simple pictures and turn them into animation. An application made for me! However, I still only drew the obvious happy to sad face.

Wiki...

A wiki is a website where users can add, delete or edit its content. It's a page where people can discuss different topics and contribute to the work by adding their own views and opinions. There were various different topics for us to research, all to do with technology in different locations or time periods. My group consisted of Laura Murray, Andrew Colwill and Harley Everett and our topic to research was 'Education in the third world'. We were given questions to specifically research such as what subjects were taught, what size of classes there were and what technology was used.

We each took different angles to look at, therefore the wiki was created more efficiently. We had a front page and different pages within it explaining various areas of education in the third world. We also researched charities that helped build schools and provide the necessary technology in order to teach effectively. The wiki was a good idea as it enabled us to comment on eachother's pages and add more detail if needed. The link below is the wiki my group created:

http://es1a2011.pbworks.com/w/browse/#view=ViewFolder&param=Education%20in%20Third%20World%20Countries

Presentations!!!

Presentations aren't my favourite form of assessment but I suppose it's something that has to be done! Having already done Pam's numeracy presentation, I feel a little bit relieved to have one already out of the way. I was given another two presentations within a week of eachother, one for Caroline and one for Sian. I have two lovely groups for each, both from my circle of friends in uni. At the moment, Sian's presentation sounds more appealing to me than Caroline's but that may change as time goes on.

I must start my preparation for both presentations soon in order to keep on track. Both groups plan to meet up at some point next week so perhaps then i'll have more of an idea as to what it is we have to do!

My Placement

I thoroughly enjoyed my week at Llangyfelach Primary. It was great to go back there after all these years and see how everything has changed. Considering the long days, it didn't once feel like a job but more of an interest. The children were brilliant and the teachers were welcoming, helping me fit in rather quickly. As it was near Christmas, the whole school was rehearsing for their school concert so was difficult to see a great deal of learning within the classroom. However, I was still able to read with individuals which gave me more of an insight into the everyday routine. Half way through the week I was told I would be joining the class on a school trip to the church, where I think I was more excited than the children. Here, I was able to see how differently learning was when outside the classroom.

Having been given tasks to complete on the observation week, I made myself more aware of my surroundings and took note on all the different learning styles. The school seemed to cater well for visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners. The teacher would tell the class exactly what the task was whilst also having it projected on the whiteboard asking questions in order to repeat instruction. Then the teacher would allow the children to carry out the task, allowing them to use the computer or books for research.

The week fuelled my want to become a primary teacher and has given me the motivation to succeed.

Tagxedo

This is my soppy little cupid that I created on Tagxedo. It allows you to type in as many words as you like and you can then choose a design you would like the words to fit into. So I chose Lurrrrve!

Reflective learning

Blogging is an effective way of reflective learning as it enables you to look back at what you've done and show you the areas which need improving. It allows you to see your strengths and weaknesses and indicates how you can change them in order to improve. My university blog will keep a record of everything I have learnt throughout my university experience and will enable me to keep track of my progress. Blogging through assignments and work placements will give me the chance to prepare and even remind myself of my experience.

Another way of reflective learning that I do already is talk about a lesson with my peers. This helps remind me about what we've just learnt, discuss whether we thought it was a good or a bad lesson and whether we had learnt anything new. Initially, I didn't think blogging each week would help me achieve anything but now, after reading the two articles about it, I can see that it will be an effective way to know what areas I need to improve in.