Moya Daly » mehodology assignment

Ok here goes: We have now started the second of four terms. Last week we all returned to college armed with our completed assignments-some far more professional than others (and I don’t include my own in that category) As per usual my affliction badly affected the quality of the assignment on Policies and Issues. ‘What is this affliction?’ you may ask. Well I have suffered from this ailment for as long as I can remember-I believe it is genetic, but I can’t be sure. It begins with P-have you guessed yet? PROCRASTINATION!!!!! In all areas of life, mind-not just as a learner! Coupled with my other, slightly less serious, disease (indecision) I am usually struck down quite badly when it comes to assignments and observed lessons. That reminds me, I must be due for my second observation soon.(But more of that later)
Anyway, having checked thoroughly the bullet points on the assignment brief, I feel confident that I have fully covered the required elements, and described efficiently how the policy is implemented in my workplace. I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to choose Lifelong Learning as my policy focus, as it was more relevant to the type of institution where I teach. Then you get to class, and glance nonchalantly at the perfectly presented masterpieces of the other students, with title front pages, colour coded referencing and your plain old two page offering seems….well, pathetic to say the least.(I was up till 4am the night before, so you can imagine how tired I was!) No matter, I was so excited because the first session was on syntax, and it was a really enjoyable session, both subject matter AND style of activity. Once again, I was struck by how much I DONT know; however this didn’t bother me, because I love learning more, especially when it’s grammar or phonology. The second session was quite heavy: correct terminology to describe different disabilities. Eye opening, difficult to take in, but reassuring that such a lovely young lady is in charge of this area. Looking forward to learning more about dyslexia in the next few weeks, as my younger son, now almost 19, is dyslexic, so I have a little to offer in the way of experience. It was sooooooooooo lovely going off to class today without the dark cloud of an assignment or presentation or observation looming overhead! Pure input-just what I love! First session was phonology-I had forgotten so much, I’m ashamed to say, but it was very interesting analysing students speaking on tape and identifying strengths and weaknesses. Picked up a few ideas for ways to improve pronunciation, and was happy to learn that some of the methods I already use in class were recommended. Yea!!!!!! I’m doing something right! I have my first tutorial next Tuesday and the next assignment is due in two weeks. I have to choose a teaching style I don’t normally use and teach a lesson, then evaluate it. As per usual, I have changed my mind at least three times. Silent Way???? Lexical Approach? Communicative? Latest choice is Task Based Learning, as it is the farthest removed from my usual method, however, watch this space, because………yes, you guessed it. I MAY change my mind! On a positive note, I have now logged 83 hours of lessons. Oh and I have also had another family crisis-this year has not been good to me. My daughter-in-law is in hospital with a clot on her lung; not ideal with three children, one of whom is only 12 weeks old. (you who have been faithfully reading my diary will know this, of course)My son is quite capable, but it’s not easy-as we mothers know-and I have had the odd phone call, such as the one yesterday asking me if I could remember where he put his car keys the night before, as he needed to leave for the hospital, and Kye was screaming the place down. Daughter-in-law is recovering slowly. I’m off now to track my Amazon account. I ordered three books which I need for my next assignment, and I’ve exhausted Petty for the moment!!!

Ok here goes: We have now started the second of four terms. Last week we all returned to college armed with our completed assignments-some far more professional than others (and I don’t include my own in that category) As per usual my affliction badly affected the quality of the assignment on Policies and Issues. ‘What is this affliction?’ you may ask. Well I have suffered from this ailment for as long as I can remember-I believe it is genetic, but I can’t be sure. It begins with P-have you guessed yet? PROCRASTINATION!!!!! In all areas of life, mind-not just as a learner! Coupled with my other, slightly less serious, disease (indecision) I am usually struck down quite badly when it comes to assignments and observed lessons. That reminds me, I must be due for my second observation soon.(But more of that later)
Anyway, having checked thoroughly the bullet points on the assignment brief, I feel confident that I have fully covered the required elements, and described efficiently how the policy is implemented in my workplace. I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to choose Lifelong Learning as my policy focus, as it was more relevant to the type of institution where I teach. Then you get to class, and glance nonchalantly at the perfectly presented masterpieces of the other students, with title front pages, colour coded referencing and your plain old two page offering seems….well, pathetic to say the least.(I was up till 4am the night before, so you can imagine how tired I was!) No matter, I was so excited because the first session was on syntax, and it was a really enjoyable session, both subject matter AND style of activity. Once again, I was struck by how much I DONT know; however this didn’t bother me, because I love learning more, especially when it’s grammar or phonology. The second session was quite heavy: correct terminology to describe different disabilities. Eye opening, difficult to take in, but reassuring that such a lovely young lady is in charge of this area. Looking forward to learning more about dyslexia in the next few weeks, as my younger son, now almost 19, is dyslexic, so I have a little to offer in the way of experience. It was sooooooooooo lovely going off to class today without the dark cloud of an assignment or presentation or observation looming overhead! Pure input-just what I love! First session was phonology-I had forgotten so much, I’m ashamed to say, but it was very interesting analysing students speaking on tape and identifying strengths and weaknesses. Picked up a few ideas for ways to improve pronunciation, and was happy to learn that some of the methods I already use in class were recommended. Yea!!!!!! I’m doing something right! I have my first tutorial next Tuesday and the next assignment is due in two weeks. I have to choose a teaching style I don’t normally use and teach a lesson, then evaluate it. As per usual, I have changed my mind at least three times. Silent Way???? Lexical Approach? Communicative? Latest choice is Task Based Learning, as it is the farthest removed from my usual method, however, watch this space, because………yes, you guessed it. I MAY change my mind! On a positive note, I have now logged 83 hours of lessons. Oh and I have also had another family crisis-this year has not been good to me. My daughter-in-law is in hospital with a clot on her lung; not ideal with three children, one of whom is only 12 weeks old. (you who have been faithfully reading my diary will know this, of course)My son is quite capable, but it’s not easy-as we mothers know-and I have had the odd phone call, such as the one yesterday asking me if I could remember where he put his car keys the night before, as he needed to leave for the hospital, and Kye was screaming the place down. Daughter-in-law is recovering slowly. I’m off now to track my Amazon account. I ordered three books which I need for my next assignment, and I’ve exhausted Petty for the moment!!!