Moya Daly » Task based Learning

How nice! One of the readers of this blog-you know who you are-has sent me a few words of encouragement. Thank you! I see that the number of readers has increased by one…..ooohh how exciting! Yesterday’s input session was on assessment: importance of, how to, terminology to describe and type of. Very interesting. There is so much to learn, and I genuinely enjoy most of the sessions. That is not to say that the workload doesn’t cause much stress and anxiety, of course. It’s just a good idea occasionally to remind myself that I CHOSE to do this course, and that I enrolled with my eyes wide open, so to speak. Everyone warns you how tough CELTA 2 is, so no sympathy is sought here.(Well, I say none sought, but please feel free to empathise as much as you wish!)
Oh, and we had a really helpful Q&A session with the tutor who will be marking this next assignment, which focuses on learner support. My anxieties were allayed somewhat after this, and I am determined to start this assignment a little earlier than I did the last two. Hmmmm! Well,I guess that won’t be too difficult, after being up until 4am completing the last two! It’s not that I don’t work on, research, think about, live breathe and die ASSIGNMENT. It’s just ……well, you all know about my affiction, so I won’t bore you with the gory details. I do so despise having to make decisions. Which policy to discuss? Which teaching approach to use and evaluate? And now which disability or barrier to learning? Oh, and which student? This is extremely difficult for someone who is barely able to choose the filling for her sandwich! Anyway, I digress. More news to share with you all….. I may be attending a Teaching and Learning conference in Birmingham which includes a workshop on……..yes, you guessed it: Task Based Learning!! I am awaiting confirmation from my team leader that Head Office has agreed to funding. Fingers crossed. It’s not ’til June 16th, which is a shame, because it will be too late to be of use for my next Observed Lesson on the 8th June.(Shivers with terror!!!) I’m already in ‘Eat, sleep, breathe Observation’ mode. This means that I’m constantly thinking of ideas, checking my resources, running a lesson plan through in my head, then swiftly changing my mind to the next ‘brilliant idea’. One would think that, at my age,a teacher would be rather more grounded and mature about these things. I have no idea why I crumble at the thought of being observed. I’m almost as anxious when I have my regular observations at work! Pathetic, isn’t it? Mustn’t complain. It’s a necessary part of the job and the course, and one must simply put up with it. Give me a good old-fashioned exam any day. Seriously!! Ok, that’s it for today. Next week is going to be very busy,with both course and work commitments. We have a trip to the Victorian Kitchen at Gunnersbury Museum next week, and a Writing Project to be finalised. Plus my middle daughter is due home from Uni-she graduates in July-so I must make room for her and her possessions. When she moved into Aberystwyth Uni three yaers ago we needed a Transit van for the journey. Now she has amassed even more!! This will mean SERIOUS de-cluttering in my house. As you may be aware, sufferers of procrastination and indecision find this type of task very distressing. Hasta la proxima!

Hello! Good news…..finished and handed in my second assignment!! Phew! Bad news…..my first assignment came back for re-submission.Now, I truly wasn’t surprised to get it back-honestly-but I WAS surprised at how useless I felt. The problem is mine, of course. I am beginning to realise that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. It’s still not exactly pleasant (I’ve never had to re submit anything before)Anyway, there were only a couple of adjustments to be made, which I shall endeavour to make asap. This was not the most enjoyable assignment I’ve ever had to do, and I must bear in mind that I AM learning all the time-that’s why I’m doing the course.Meanwhile I am preparing myself for a repetition with the next assignment. This one-Theoretical Frameworks-was far more enjoyable (Did I really say that??)even though i don’t feel confident of passing first time. No matter, I must share with you (all 24 of you) my views on Task Based Learning. Yes, I actually picked an approach and stuck with it! Teaching the lesson was a bit scary, but reassuring;I say this because I had to borrow one of the books-Willis-and make notes. This proved problematic because I then had to refer to notes after I’d handed it back. Ultimately the lesson was successful, even though I encountered several problems, the biggest of which was the order and structure.
Interestingly, since I taught the lesson and completed my evaluation, I have been reading much more on the subject, and I believe I am being converted!! I took delivery of two more books-yes, typical….. they arrive AFTER I’ve handed in the assignment! The newest one, ‘Doing Task Based Learning’(Jane and Dave Willis) is so good I have been reading non stop. The second is also useful as it includes evidence based views on specific types of task. Can’t remember the exact title but I’ll try to remember and post it on here soon.It is SOOOO reassuring looking at some of the recommended tasks and realising that I have actually taught lessons not too far removed from these. So, that’s the good news after the bad news after the good news.
Oh, more good news……I had my tutorial last week, and I’m ‘to standard for this stage of the course’That was a relief. I think all of us find it really hard to cope with the workload, but we were all fully aware that this is a tough course so it’s not a shock.I think this factor tends to help the group ‘gel’ We’re all getting to know each other better now. Just as well really, since I’ve spotted another mini task on the schedule some time soon, so it could mean another presentation! (groan!!!!!!!!!)
My second observed lesson is due some time within the next week or two. I’m determined to plan it decisively and in advance this time………who am I trying to kid? I would love to have the nerve to try a task based lesson, but I don’t think I’ve quite got the confidence yet. Still, you never know……after all I ought to make the most of all the reading bearing in mind the money I have forked out for books recently!!!
I shall be feeling very envious of all college tutors next week what with half term looming. It’s been stressful in my house lately… Oldest daughter just started a Midwifery degree course, middle daughter had her last Uni exam Wednesday-she graduates in July, so it’s all up to Aberystwyth for the occasion. Youngest had her Year 9 SATS to contend with, but now that they’re over she can concentrate on her next piano exam. She is due to take Grade 7 in July, so I will be very grateful for the summer break from college at least. You may remember that, as I work for a training provider,we close only one week a year, so no long summer holidays from teaching for me!!!!!! Anyway, I have some presents to wrap-my son and grandson share their birthday on Monday, and the party is tomorrow, so i must go and search for the sellotape.