Activity 1

1. Below are a list of skills and abilities. Complete an audit of where you are now. Record this in your learning journal/portfolio.

Rate yourself (1=Not very well developed; 3=very well developed)

Skills and Abilities	1	2	3
Team Player			3
Organised			3
Motivated			3
Reflective		2
Leadership		2
Numeracy Skills		2
Literacy Skills		2

 

Although it is important to identify where we are now, it is not enough to stop there. We need to reflect upon how we can develop the skills where we are less confident and how we can transfer the skills in which we are confident and competent.

Activity 2

Complete the audit below, using the information from the table above.

Recognition	Reflection	Action
Skills already developed	How will I use these	How do I know (evidence)**
Team Player	To collaborate with my fellow students, broadening our learning and developing our relationships as a result.
Organised	To keep myself on track with studying and researching information for modules, as well as for planning and preparing for placement when the time comes.
Motivated	To keep myself positive and driven, always striving to achieve the next goal. Perhaps my attitude will also rub off on others.

** This section should be completed as you identify when/where/how you have used/developed these skills.

Recognition	Reflection	Action
Skills not yet developed	How will I develop these	How do I know (evidence)**
Reflective	I will develop this by making use of my eportfolio to reflect upon my professional development. As well as taking note of lecturers advice and inputs with regard to being a reflective practitioner and reflective writing.
Leadership	By putting myself forward for leadership roles within group tasks more often. By working on my self-confidence and assertiveness.
Numeracy	By completing the online assessments and practicing on areas with which I struggle.
Literacy	By completing the online assessment and practicing on areas with which I struggle. Using my study skills book for advice and guidance.

** This section should be completed as you identify when/where/how you have used/developed these skills.

 

1. Managing My Learning

  Activity 1

Complete the table below to identify and reflect on those factors and plan actions for each.

Recognition/ Reflection	Action
What helps my learning?	How can I utilise this?
Example: “Discussing the topic with others”	Set up a study group of like-minded peers Engage with the online community
Quiet reading and note taking.	Set aside time to read over texts and take notes    when no one is around to disturb me. Make use of the libraries silent sections to complete work.
Writing lists and making plans.	Prioritise tasks and make a list to work from to ensure that everything is completed. Write a plan before starting an essay or any other piece of work to make sure it includes all the relevant components.
Discussion with peers.	Utilize the online community to ask questions and discuss opinions with my fellow colleagues. Use tutor time to ask questions and discuss topics with your tutor group and tutor.
Additional Reading.	Take time to visit the library and look for books explaining/going into more depth about the topic of study. Photocopy and highlight text I have found useful, keeping all information for referencing.

 

 

Recognition/Reflection		Action
What hinders my learning?	How can I address this factor?
Example: “I’m easily distracted”	Study in a place where distractions are minimal Read lecture notes before the lecture and then take notes lectures to keep me focused
Busy/Noisy Environments	Make time to study on my own without distraction. Make use of the library silent sections in between lectures. Make family aware of when I’m studying so they know not to disturb me.
Lack of structure	Make a study plan so I have a clear structure to my day. Write lists and tick off completed tasks. Attend all lectures and write a plan for study during free time.

Completing these tables has helped to clarify in my mind the way in which I learn and highlight the things I do and should begin doing to enhance my learning experience. At the moment I am on top of my studies and have lists for everything but this will be a great post to look to in the coming months when pressure is mounting and my systems are going out of the window.

 

Reflect and Write about the benefits of active learning and co-operative working in your e-portfolio or professional learning journal.

Active learning is an incredibly important aspect of being a student as well as being a teacher. I need to be able to apply this to my study within university but I also need to think about how I can use this on placements and in my career to make my lessons active and engaging for pupils.

For me learning actively is; annotating text while I study from books at home, writing notes in lectures, conversing with peers about particular subjects and highlighting key ideas within textbooks.

Learning in this way helps me to stay focused. In lectures for instance, if I did not take notes I would miss out on key points and areas of focus. My notes then work as a base upon which I can build my knowledge. I tend to rewrite my notes once I have done some additional reading so I can fill in any gaps in my knowledge as well as giving me another opportunity to absorb the information.

This experience of active learning is personal to me and as a teacher I will have to recognise that each of my pupils will have their own preferences. It will be my job to make my lessons interactive, and my responsibility to make sure every member of my class is engaged.

Co-operative learning is a great way through which we can learn actively. Group work and group discussions are invaluable as each person brings their own ideas and approaches to the table. By working with others in this way we can better understand things.

By explaining a topic to a peer you are consolidating your learning, making sure there are no gaps in your knowledge and often simplifying the information. The same benefits can be said of having a friend explain a topic to you, perhaps they will have a slightly different way of approaching it than the lecturer did, giving you another chance to make sense of it.

The eportfolio and the online unit within the MA Education course are great ways to interact with fellow students and discuss opinions. In lectures we are also given opportunities to discuss key points within the lecturer’s slides with those sitting near us. Hearing the ideas of others really helps you to form your own opinions, certainly in a more meaningful way than sitting passively would.