Values Workshop – Week 2

On Tuesday of week two, we had our first workshop for the Values module. When we arrived we split into four groups and were set a task of creating something useful to new students, using the materials provided within our packs. Each group got given a different set of materials in their pack, some containing more than others. My group didn’t have much in our pack but created a leaflet on ‘Decoding Dalhousie’ to help new students find their way to the rooms in the building. When we were presenting our ideas to the lecturer he didn’t pay much attention and was very closed off with his body language. Similarly he did this with the other group who had limited resources. When he gave us a low score he made a comment about our product being bad, which made us feel inadequate as we did the best with what we had. His whole demeanour changed when listening to the groups with more resources, as he offered them praise and encouragement.

We discussed how his actions impacted us and he explained that it was an experiment to show how important equality is within our profession. This lead to a discussion on how you would treat different pupils depending on their backgrounds. this experiment enabled us as a class to see the effects of inequality first hand and made me realise just how important it is for children to be treated equally. This allowed us to participate in a discussion about the Social Justice aspect of The Standards for Registration as set out by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The equality aspect of social justice was our primary focus in this workshop as it allowed us to understand its impact on a child. It is important ot ensure that all children are treated equaly in a class to allow them the best chance to get the most out of their education despite their background.

What brought me to teaching?

I look back on my primary experience and realise that there are some teachers that I can still remember exactly what they taught and how they taught it. I soon realised that I wanted to be able to have that same affect on someone. To be able to teach children key skills that they will use throughout their whole life gives me a great sense of satisfaction. I enjoy seeing people learn and to have some part in that fills me with pride.

This was later confirmed when I carried out work experience in a nursery, where I saw just how important these practitioners were in affecting young peoples lives. The children trust that they will not only be looked after but be taught the skills they need later on to achieve their dreams.

Teaching has come a long way in the past few years, with technology advancing and becoming more readily used. I believe that teachers have to adapt with the times and use these advances in technology to benefit the pupils education and their own teaching style.

Welcome to your WordPress eportfolio

Welcome to your ePortfolio. This is where you will document and share your professional thoughts and experiences over the course of your study at the University of Dundee and beyond that when you begin teaching. You have the control over what you want to make public and what you would rather keep on a password protected page.

The ePortfolio in the form of this WordPress blog allows you to pull in material from other digital sources:

You can pull in a YouTube video:

You can pull in a Soundcloud audio track:

You can upload an image or pull one in from Flickr or any other image sharing site.

Teacher, Lorraine Lapthorne conducts her class in the Grade Two room at the Drouin State School, Drouin, Victoria

You can just about pull in anything that you think will add substance and depth to your writing.