So last year I decided to try something a little different, and amazingly it was a huge hit!! I decided to hand paint custom baubles. I ended up painting and selling 116 over the course of 6 weeks. Let me tell you, I didnt bloody stop. But I loved it! I will be doing the same again this year, so get your pet photos ready!
Category: Uncategorized
Write Blend Book Store
Very happy to share that my books are now available to buy at Write Blend an independent book store in Waterloo, Liverpool.
Get yours now! All books are also available on Amazon. 🥳😆
Books available to buy from Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-d…/entity/author/B089RR1YC9…
Really excited to share that I have self published my books onto Amazon.
All About Ben and So your child has autism… are now live and ready to buy as a paper back and ebooks.
I was inspired by my little brother Ben who has Aspergers syndrome to create, write and illustrate these book. I wanted to share the everyday life of a child with Autism, and break the stigma around ASD.
Everything you read from ‘So your child has autism…’ is from my own personal take on autism/ASD and things me and my family have been through. Its a very humours take on dealing with the ups and downs of autism and how to basically cope and thrive.
I have another book which is still under review by Amazon but hopefully should be live in a few hours called The Lost Little Bear.
It is however available to buy as a ebook.
This is a story about self acceptance and making new friends. I wrote and illustrated the full book.
If you could have a nose at the links I would be so made up. Thank you!!
The lost little bear ebook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089T8C1TG
All about Ben paperbook:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/…/B…/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3
All about Ben ebook:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/…/B…/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2
So your child has autism…:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/…/B…/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
Type GIF
9/4/19: PGCE Session
9/4/19
Assessment and feedback assignment.
Demonstrate teaching, learning and assessment strategies, that creates an inclusive classroom relationship
Justify the use of variety of assessments methods accordance with expected learning outcomes and external requirements
Effectively evaluate learning experiences for strategic purposes (Planning, aims, assessment ad feedback meat their aims)
Write up our own Assessment criteria and assessments.
Stage 1: 30th APRIL- Formative or summative (take pictures of peoples work, Selwyn’s, Serena’s, and Georges) Take picture of peoples work. – assessments on that.Stage 2: defined 7th May) create the assessment criteria as a group)Stage 3: Assignment Deadline 21st May- a week before hand in get it in. Written feedback and Informal feedback and something like an end of module assessment which is in depth. Comments on workbooks or sketchbooks-
Stage 4: Self-assessment if your own assignment on the assessment document as if you are a tutor.
Written feedback and Informal feedback and something like a end of module assessment which is in depth.
What is the point of assessments?
What’s the point of it,
Assessment for learning
The role of feedback, how can it be done.
Task 1: complete the feedback forms on teams to outline what you already know you know or don’t know about assessment and feedback
Extension task: MEQ for TS1107 on easter.
Define ‘’assessment’’
Learners can construct their own meaning about what you have been taught
Measuring learning
Identify and explain key components (think about terminology, different features)
Summative and formative assessment.
Identifying if objectivise are being met not being met. Review own teaching practice. (reflection, self-assess) Alignment is taking place (Biggs)
Formative: quizzes, discussion, diagrams and charts, homework or surveys, observing. Exit surveys. Higher impact on what learners have retained (Active learning, it’s fun it doesn’t feel like its assessment) Less formal, links to expression. Information feedback and worksheets.
Summative: Portfolios, it can be writing or wrong. Or essay, exams
Assessment as learning: Q&A, peer learning, peer on peer feedback, practical assessments,
Its about the process. Graphics is more about the Process Model. (use graphics example, eg end product might not work but its about the research, concepts and developments.
Using both assessments, both inform each other, periodical and one is day to day. Doing this helps to adjust or change/challenge new SOW
Describe good practice:
Using both variety of assessments, being inclusive. Different kind of assessments. To help or learners. Giving feedback within a timely manner. Providing inclusive feedback, either group feedback or 1:1.
Assessment types: group discussions
Comments on hw or in workbooks
Presentations
Practical work
Reports
Observations/essays/practical work
Quizzes
Assessment for learning enabled teachers to use information about students’ knowledge, understanding and skills to inform their teaching
Teachers provide feedback to students about their learning and how to improve
Involves students in the learning process where they monitor their own progress, ask questions and practise skills.
Students use self-assessment and teachers feedback to reflect on their learning, consolidate their understanding and work towards learning goals.
Assists teachers to use evidence of students learning to assess students achievement against learning goals and standards
Assessment and feedback are linked
Think back to some occasion academic, historic or otherwise or recent, when you received feedback that you would rather have not received
Critical sandwich is it constructive, it is helpful. Frame negatives comments.
Effective feedback cycle (Use this in essay)
Self-discovery and opportunities, create options and solutions, give them actions, how to move forward. Specifics.
Monitor progress, action targets.
Feedback according to Phil Race Should be:
Timely, individual, empowering, opening doors, not closing doors,
Manageable (SMART)
Heacadamy.ac.uk
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USE BLOOMS to help you,
Model criteria
Minimum of 3:
1a) describe and analyse a range of different assessments and feedback methods in your subject specialism.
1b) Critically evaluate current assessment methods and justify the benefits of feedback to your learners to promote inclusivity
1c) connect relevant theories to assessment methods and relate to external requirements.
1d) reflect on the benefits of assessments and feedback to you as a practitioner to strategically improve your best practice (organisational improvements) (TALK ABOUT AWARDS BODY AND LEARNING OUTCOMES)
Appendix with feedback and assessments throughout.
Reflect on this assignment and put that into practice. gapped handouts and try it in the essay and reflect on it.
19/3/19: PGCE session
19th March 2019
Sow theory (Product and process)
Linear, Spiral Active theories.
Identify which model you think yours is or is it combination of each (TALK ABOUT CONSTRUCTIVE ALIGHNMENT)
Product Model
- Also known as behavioural objectives model. The model is interested in of curriculum. With the rise of vocational studies from the 1970’s (particularly in FE) it has led to a competency-based model being used.
Key theorist
- Tyler (1949) Main development of the approach.
- Bloom (1965) Domains of learning
- Taba (1962) Developed the model
4 fundamental questions when planning a curriculum
- What are the aims an objective of curriculum
- What learning experiences meet these objectives
- How can success be evaluated
- How can these learning experiences be organised? (week by week planning)
Behavioural objective, changing their behaviour. TALK ABOUT THIS FOR STUDENTS NEXT YEAR. WHY ARE THEY ACTING THE WAY THEY DO? DO I NEED TO CHANGE CURRICULUM OR CERTAIN TASKS
Advantages of product model (GOOD ONE TO USE FOR GRAPHICS) Teacher centered
- Avoids vague statements of intent
- Makes assessment more precise
- Product driven outcome.
- Helps to select content (START WITH THE END PRODUCT, STEPS TO LEAD TO THAT, WHAT WILL THEY NEED TO LEARN)
- GUIDANCE FOR TEACHERS AND LEARNERS ABOUT SKILLS TO BE MASTERED. WHAT DOES A GRAPHIC DESIGNER NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL?
- NEARY, M (2002) CURRICULUM STUDIES IN POST COMPULSORY AND ADULT EDUCATION
CRITICISM OF PRODUCT MODELS
- AT LOWER LEVEL, OBJECTIVES MAY BE SUPERFICFICAL (WILL HAVE TO DIFFERENTIATE)
- DIFFUCULT TO WRITE SATISFACTORY OBJECTIVES FOR HIGHER LEVELS.
- DISCOURAGES CREATIVITY. (USE 2 AT THE SAME TIME LIKE SPIRAL FOR EXAMPLE)
- TOO MUCH PSYCOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE END PRODUCT. Missing the bigger picture. Does not take consideration from student reflection.
Infed.org (LOOK AT THIS ARTICLE)
CORE SKILLS (ADOBE RANGE) core competencies, everything they need to know. Start with product model change to spiral after 6 weeks
Process Model
Learner centered
Focuses on:
- Teaches activites and teachers role
- Student and learner activities ( perhaps the most important feature)
- Conditions in which learning takes place
- Key thinkers: Stenhouse (1975)
Its more about the learning. How do my learners learn?
Widening participation with different needs, happens in Hugh Baird college so the scheme of work will be different from UCLANS scheme of work (include in essay)
Process model- every outcome can be different and that’s okay and what we want as graphic designers
Emphasis on means rather than the end, (works with graphics as some briefs are more marked on research and concepts compared to end product)
Leaner should help to decide on learning activities (initial and diagnostic assessments, module evaluations questionnaires, also by getting to know your learners)
More individualised atmosphere
Assumptions that learner makes unique response to learner experiences.
Stenhouse, 1975: 4-5)
Advantages of process model
- Emphasis on active roles of teaches and learners
- Emphasis on learning skills
- Emphasis on certain activities as important in themselves and for ‘’life’’
Disadvantages of process model
- Failing to consider appropriate content
- Diffucilty in applying approach in some areas
- Bruner (1971) saw knowledge as a process not a product.
Process models is more on learning activities and what they can learn in that process. USE A TABLE IN ESSAY AND TALK ABOUT THIS
Look at some creative curriculum theories.
4 conceptions of curriculum
- The official curriculum– specification by the awarding bodies. Specific program of learning. Designed to challenged students and match the learner needs
- The hidden curriculum, – motivation, time keeping, hidden skills. It is not attached to qualification, but they learn it, networking skills, communication. Teaching learners to be accepting and empathetic of other cultures.
- The observed curriculum – what you didn’t plan to happen, but it happen, eg teamwork or management takes place.
- The curriculum as experienced – perception of the learner, what they have taken from the lesson. Could be trips or special occasions, making friends. Have a bigger impact.
9 characteristics in your SOW so that is regularly in your curriculum as well. Be mindful of it. Represent all minorities .
Vocational curriculum
- Based on experience and practice in terms of content and teaching method.
20/11 Week 9 lecture
During todays lecture we had a bit of a scare with one of my peers, this caused my tutor to then discuss the importance of safeguarding and what you need to do when a situation arises. After this we had a bit of a self reflection, we looked at what type of day, week, month we have had. It made me realise stopping even for one minute and just reflecting can be quite hard it seems a lot of things pop into my head and I do feel that having this reflective journal really does help with keeping my thoughts and head clear. During the second part of our lecture group micro teachers had started, it was fab! The first micro teach was about welding, it should not make a difference but my peer who delivered the session was a woman and for such a scary and serious job its so inspirational that she would be apart of that trade, which also sounds extremely sexist but thats not the point I intend to make, the point is that she a in a male dominated area of work and she is doing amazing at it. Very educational and interesting to learn. The next micro teach was delivered by a blood analysts, so the area in which she is going to teach is science. I really enjoyed this session, it was engaging, creative and collaborative. We had full body protective suits, hand and food gloves and eye masks; we was looking into different type of blood spatters and how to address and identify the different types while in a ‘crime scene’ styled environment. It wasn’t just the practical that I enjoyed it was the theory and presentation before the activity, the way my peer made it relevant (related it to pop culture, e.g. tv and film) and interesting was purely down to her enthusiasm for the topic, I believed everything she said purely in the confidence of her tone and body posture. Fantastic.
At the end of the micro teach we was meant to be watching a water point about our body structure for the essay and growth mindset, unfortunately to shortage of time we wasn’t able to have this session, however Lucy put it on Teams and I have went through half of it and also watched a youtube video called the power of not yet. It was a really good watch I think I could definitely use this as research in my current essay.
This sounds very cheesy but this video i really life changing she is not only addressing how children and older learners seem to respond to achievement but how we have raised a generation of people to need constant reward, when it shouldn’t be reward but appraisal, supportive appraisal. Good watch for sure.
13/11 Micro Teach
Today I had my Micro session, I was super excited but nervous. I think I will add this disadvantage to one of my ILP’s (my nerves) which I can try and improve on. I delivered a session on Exquisite Corpse or (Cadavre Exquis) is a collaborative drawing approach first used by surrealist artists to create bizarre and intuitive drawings. Its a game which I thought would be a brilliant activity to deliver to my peers as it is fun and engaging and collaborative. I implemented english and maths into the session by having my peers complete a write up about what they thought about there illustrations ( what is it? can they explain what is doing on, is there a story behind it?) I also asked them to write in their own words what exquisite corpse was. I done this to measure if learning had taken place. I delivered a presentation about Dada, Surrealism and the artist (and important people) who basically run and inspired the movement. I wanted to try and strip back the info and give the basics when talking about the history, and facts of Surrealism. There is so much to talk about so I had to really be picky in what I delivered. I was super happy with the overall delivery. I was slightly rushed during the micro teach as every ones lessons had gone over in time but everyone seemed to manage to finish their corpses and we had the big reveal at the end. I was thrilled by feedback so far from all my peers was all positive too, I am still waiting for written feedback which I will get tomorrow hopefully during our PGCE lecture. From personal experience I tell people (and learners) when I have done something wrong or if I forget something. I have been told this is a quite humanistic approach as I am honest and open but I could use that to be advantage for example if I forget something I could turn it around and ask a question to see if I can get that information from the learners. Surrealism Alex Parry
I noticed issues with certain learners, for example one of the learners was not happy with the outcome with their illustration, I was taken back by the response from her but then I remembered she has certain learning needs (e.g Aspergers syndrome) and what would not be a issue for one learner is a problem for her. I told her that its a very open and individual task and there is no right or wrong but if she really isn’t happy she could start again. This seemed to help and she calmed down and carried on seemingly quite happy. I felt that I dealt with the situation quite well. It was diverted and she continued with the activity.
That link is my powerpoint I delivered to the session. Overall I am really happy.
13/11 Week 8 Lecture
Learning Theory
- discuss learning theory in relation to your own learning and teaching
- identify factors that impact T&L
- reflect on how their current teaching relates to theories introduced
Why look at learning theory?
Teaching strategies are influenced by ideas about how people learn, discovery learning is used a lot today, student led and active learning. Constructivism. differentiate is important, use lots of activities to access different learners. Learning theory and practice are inextricably entwined!
Know the Impact; John Hatties meta-analysis (take all the other theorists research and look at whats effective) (visible learning 2008) looks at Effect sizes, this was updated in 2017. The biggest teacher impact showing as: Teacher estimates of student achievement +1.62 effect size. Boredom -0.49 effect size
What is your impact as a teacher? If we are consciously trying when delivering our sessions because it will bring a positive impact. Don’t stress.
Pedagogy: The study and theory of the methods and principles of teaching. Subject specific Pedagogy. How to teach a subject or vocation, learning how to think in your subject area.
Andragogy: A humanist learning theory that explores the differences between how adults and how children learn (knowles, m.)
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs: Self- Actualisation(the teacher can take a step back and be independently working, make the students independent and become the best they can be, petti talks about this), Esteem( positive feedback, end goals, constructive criticism) , Love and belonging, Safety needs(safeguarding, as a teacher we was ensuring the learners are safe. its the teachers on colleges responsibility), physiological needs. Basic needs have a huge impact to learning.
Robert Gagne (1916-2002) Motivation- the first phase of learning process
the role of the teacher is to identify the motives of the students and chennel them into activities that accomplish educational goals
what effect do low expectations on the part of teacher and students have on the learning process? (think of hatties meta- analyst) If we give goal settlings we could be better more effective teachers. It is essential for students motivation that a teacher identifies and communicates the objectives and goals for each student. Gagne’s 1965 levels of learning.
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators- intrinsic- inner drive (inner motivation)
Extrinsic- externally produced (motivation from other people or other things e.g parents or friends (for sen it could be a routine) ( i could talk about my students who dont want to do written work, or research) (you can use rewards and goals, or give them a trip for example) maintaining curiosity, building subject interest, variety of delivery and assessment methods. by doing this it builds up there intrinsic motivators.
cognitive (thinking your brain)lecture case study projects| Affective (Emotions) attitudes opinions, role play| Psychomotor (physical) learning through doing; carrying out tasks by manipulation hand eye, dicision making training and practice. (RESEARCH THESE) reflect on these different areas.
How am i assessing in all them different elements, am I thinking about the way people learn, am I using a varied of teaching styles and assessments.
Cognitivism- concentrates on the ‘mental processes’ of the brain, problem solving. Discover the information for themsevles, higher order of thinking. me as a teacher should be enabling that. objectives should be hitting some higher level thinking. be able to apply abstract concepts.
Key Theorist: bloom, Gagne, Piaget, Bruner. briefly look at constructivism.
cognitive domain through questioning, open, closed, directed, probing, stretching., use bloom to develop questioning questioning techniques. leading question.
Homework: 1 element of theory from today session, write a short reflections using kolbs model (reflective cycle) on how this relates to one of the developmental post notes. Post this on teams.
Hirachy of needs, cognitivism, Hatties visible learning meta study. 300 words max.
30/10: Lecture week 7 & Yr 2 session
Today we have been looking at initial and diagnostic assessments. As a group we looked at methods of initial assessments and what criteria do they fit in to, e.g documents, self assessments, discussions, assessment tools (diagnostic test) structured activities, a task to complete or samples from a portfolio, observations. I had a 1:1 meeting little session with Lucy during this session. I feel so relieved now that my essay seems okay and looks good. Thank god.
During the lecture Rag rating, red, amber, green. You would do this to assess learners based on all the activities before and during the course. Hugh Baird use this tool. Today I observed another micro teach, it was maths based but it was themed around how we as teachers can incorporate maths into our own sessions. It was really good, and I found it so interesting. This has got me excited for my micro teach, I need to get everything prepped, as my peers will be using multi mediums during the session. Very exciting!!
During my session yesterday with the Yr 2 graphics group I delivered another session. I organised a presentation about what is Narrative in art, and how graphic designers are visual storytellers. I told them the importance of having a story whether that be personal or a brands story; it has to be engaging, emotional, and connecting. I then shown them various brands and organisations who I believe use storytelling as their market branding. I also put together a list of graphic design website and companies that are brilliant to use for research and inspiration. Hopefully the students use this for their project ‘we come in peace’. I felt a lot more confident delivering this session compared to last weeks. I knew about the contents I was delivering and how I wanted to deliver it. I feel that the learners listened and understood what I was trying to promote during the session as I had 1:1s after the presentation. I feel the learners are on the right track at the minute. I have also been staying in the room for an hour or two after the session is over at 12 in case any of the learners do need any extra help.
Today before the PGCE lecture, I had a team teaching session with Yr 0, My mentor and I delivered a new brief about Dada. I am super excited to start this as they are such keen learners and so enthusiastic so its just super exciting going into every session. Fab.
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