My Key Learning Moments throughout the semester:

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1. Being brave enough to have a go
Having a go, and putting something out there for others to see. Throughout this unit I have really enjoyed the challenge that has come with being an online learner and engaging with other peers online. It bought me out of my comfort zone, opened me up to a whole new way of learning that I was not used to, but soon came to really enjoy!
2. The learning spaces
Learning about all the different learning spaces that children can learn in, how they can enhance or hinder learning. The previous assignment in particular provided me with great insight and knowledge into all of these spaces.
3. WordPress
Understanding and becoming familiar with WordPress was a big challenge for me. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of being able to learn something new, and it is definitely something I will be continuing to use moving forward into the future.
4. Time management
Learning to stay on top of the weekly readings/tasks and e-tivities was something I became better with as I got more familiar with the online learning space. I found if I was able to stay on task with things, then my learning was more effective, I was able to take more in and understand it better.
5. Role of the teacher
The power of the teacher and how not just how they deliver the curriculum to their students but how they make their students feel and the lasting impression that can leave the students by certain things that the teacher does or does not say or do.

Teachers as educators

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A teacher should consider it as a great opportunity to shape a life of somebody. Teachers have the highest responsibility in helping children toward their adulthood and prepare them for the future. The power teachers have on young students life should never be underestimated. They have the opportunity to shape the lives of the students that they have in their classrooms. Needing to understand the social and emotional needs of students is key for those students to become actively engaged in classroom activities but also for their own learning.

In my future learning space, it is important for educators to understand the backgrounds of the students and the challenges that they have faced at a young age. They also need to be able to understand that student’s attitudes and emotions need nurturing in the learning process, and that it is about their heart, as well as their minds

“Those of us who make motion pictures are also teachers: teachers with very loud voices. But we will never match the power of the teacher who is able to whisper in a students ear.” (quote unknown).

Reflecting on the semester that was…

As we are now in week 12 and the semester is coming to an end, it got me thinking and reflecting about the last 12 weeks, and how I have felt that I have grown throughout the semester, particularly in this unit as an online learner.

I had neve studied a unit online before prior to EDFD459, so at first I was a little apprehensive about what to expect, or how I would find it given that there was no face to face contact. However, after the first two weeks working out where everything was and navigating my way around all of the technology I soon began to feel more relaxed and more comfortable with the online learning process. I have felt this unit has not only educated me more on the many different learning spaces that children can learn in but also what an effective tool the online space can be in not only educating students but teachers and future teachers as well. This unit has opened me up to using many different online programs that previously I hd not known about, or did not think to use.

Interacting and learning with other peers online is also something that I felt I have grown more comfortable in doing as the weeks went on. Interacting with others i have come to realise is a big part of the learning process, particularly online. Overall I have really enjoyed studying this unit, all its content and getting to know and learn off other peers as well.

Zaatari Refugee Camp- A liminal space?

 

Founded in July 2012, The Zaatari Refugee Camp can be seen to be liminal in nature as the majority of the people at this camp are in a state of unknown. Uncertain about what the future holds for them, where they will be going or even if their safety can be guaranteed or how long they will be staying at this camp for. This particular refugee camp is an example of what a negative liminal space can look like.

In relation to education facilities, half of school-aged children amongst the camp are enrolled, however attendance rates are unknown and are also significantly low. It is estimated that roughly 2,100 children from the camp between the ages of 6-17 have been registered to enrol in schools, whilst over 4,000 children in the camp are of school age.

Providing an education for these refugees may involve educating them on aspects such as basic literacy and numeracy skills, teaching them a specific trade or skill that would benefit them in being able to make a living and income to support not only themselves but their families as well.

Google Cardboard?

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The idea of Google Cardboard was something I had never heard about up until last week, however I was intrigued and excited by this new concept being developed. This concept is a great way to bring people together and embers them not only in reality but also in different cultures and parts of the world that they would otherwise not be able to gain any experience in. At a low cost of only $10, I feel that this invention is a great way to introduce to students in the classroom, or even at home where they can engage in virtual trips around the world, watch movies, and interact in social activities.

Teachers without boarders

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Teaching is one of the only professions that creates all other professions, it is about not only educating children but also opening them up to new experiences, encouraging them and believing in them even more so when they do not believe in themselves. This quote pictured in this post, is something that rings home very true to me and is often how I feel when I find myself reflecting back on my own education, not only in Primary but Secondary as well. When I think about my teachers I have had in the past, the first things that almost always come to mind are how they made me feel, whether I had positive or negative experiences with these teachers. I very rarely find myself thinking about to what a specific teacher taught me, or where I have learnt something from. 

Looking into the future: Liminal Spaces

As human beings the most common question we ask often on a daily basis is “why?” or “what happens now?”? Change is a natural part of life, and something that is inevitable and out of our control. However, one thing we do have control over is how we transition through the change, whether we react to it in a negative or positive way. The term ‘Liminal’ refers to a  place of transition, of waiting and not knowing. This is often how many of us feel when we think about the future. On a personal level, I find myself thinking about the future a lot in regards to finishing the next two years of study and  what kind of a teacher I will be in my own classroom. Being in a liminal space allows for room for you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, or to take on a new perspective on a situation that you may not be familiar with. I personally see the liminal space as a fantastic way to push yourself in finding out how far you can go and challenging yourself to go in a new and exciting direction!!!

A week in the life of me- my personal learning space

This week I found myself becoming more aware of exactly what my personal learning space was. Whether it was being at uni sitting in a lecture, tutorial or in the library, at my desk at home, being at work or soaking up some sunshine sitting outside there were many places that I found myself being able to learn or be productive in my learning. This slideshow of my personal learning space journey was created through using an online program called Animoto- using this I was able to put together my own compilation of my own personal learning space.

Personal Learning Space- What works best for you as a learner?

For me, my personal learning taxonomy involves being in a quiet place by myself where I am able to focus without having distractions around me. I find it difficult to achieve anything or be productive if I am sitting around a large group of people, or there is stimulus such as the tv going, my phone or people talking to me.

If I can find myself a quiet place, whether it be my bedroom, the library at uni, a park etc and I am able to sit down, put my headphones on and listen to my music i am able to get in my zone of concentration and am usually able to become highly productive in my learning and getting my work done. However, in saying that working with a group of people whether it be through a group assignment or just engaging in general discussion about a particular area of work I am also able to learn. It is through bouncing ideas of other people, getting their insight and perspective on certain topics as well as allowing them to hear my views that I find I am able to learn really well and effectively as well.