Into the Profession!

Big voice, humour, step by step, clear focus, 'what not to do', enthusiastic were my first words written down in my observation book while sitting in Mr Scull's year 9 Technology class. It was Day One of my first practicum.


Mr Scull had a cheerful bunch of girls who were often amused by Mr Scull's clown-like personality or perhaps his clown-like figure. Whatever the matter was, the truth is he created a positive classroom vibe where students felt comfortable not knowing something and asking or sharing ideas with their fellow classmates, either way building their knowledge.


Throughout the lesson Mr Scull modelled how tools were used, not forgetting the safety rules for each machine and directed students into the next step in the making of their 'Tea Light' through simple questioning:


"Now, are you going to stick that through the centre?"
"Would it look better (or work better) if you did this?"


I noticed Mr Scull's eye on EVERYONE - supervising on behalf of their safety. He showed to be a warm hearted teacher who was in for the students' learning. He did not hesitate to share his knowledge, with reasoning behind every skill he brings into class such as 'what will work' and 'what won't work.'

 

IPODS away or AT MY DESK!


It was a shocker (at first) seeing students tuned into their ipods in a year 13 graphics class.
'Shouldn't the senior girls know better than that?'
'These girls must have no respect for the teacher.'
All this negative thinking filled my brain because the lecturers only talked about ways of confiscating 'ipods' and 'phones' and what I could do if the students rebelled against me...they never said it could be part of a classroom culture..if I remember correctly.
The negative thoughts continued to come.
'Well, THIS is a slack school isn't it - the students don't follow strict rules even in the presence of the teacher.'


It was only after observing the whole period of nothing but concentration on individual work that I realised it was a strategy or a way of compromising with students in order to enhance their learning.