Peter
Well, hi to everyone.
It is now Week 1 and we will start meeting students next week. As this is my second time, I sort of know what to expect. It will be interesting.
I have had "corridor" conversations with Sarah. The one that stuck in my mind most is her playing a game analogy for learning. If you don't take part, you don't improve. I intend to bring this up with my groups on Monday and Tuesday.
I was wondering how much to say about myself at the introductory seminar. Still pondering that question.
I know for the more "quantitative/mathematical" individuals on the course that GCB seems wide of what they expect to learn. This could be quite a challenge (no pun intended).
It is now Week 1 and we will start meeting students next week. As this is my second time, I sort of know what to expect. It will be interesting.
I have had "corridor" conversations with Sarah. The one that stuck in my mind most is her playing a game analogy for learning. If you don't take part, you don't improve. I intend to bring this up with my groups on Monday and Tuesday.
I was wondering how much to say about myself at the introductory seminar. Still pondering that question.
I know for the more "quantitative/mathematical" individuals on the course that GCB seems wide of what they expect to learn. This could be quite a challenge (no pun intended).
Addendum
ReplyDeleteI am not sure whether we plan to have a student blog but I would certainly think this a great idea. We could structure it by seminar groups--or something like that--so that we know the students who are responding.
Just a thought :-)
Week 1 over.
ReplyDeleteI had a great time with the students. Not sure what they thought of it!
Some observations.
1. The icebreakers really helped. I felt I got to know the students a bit.
2. I realise we have only 4 weeks to prepare students for the poster session. I plan to make sure groups do some practice presenting beforehand. I'm planning to issue some rubrics for presentation skills--to get students thinking about how to present ahead of the session. They also need to work towards a good poster--i.e. how to present material in the right way.
While this week was relatively relaxed, next week is most definitely going up a notch for students with me pushing for presentations (by all!) and poster-like material to support their talk. We shall see how this goes...
3. Skills session works well. Some interesting findings from lectures--size of lecture; lack of good practice. Great discussion about concentration--staying alert!--where there was a good recognition that this can be an issue.
4. Some students have a "full" day of classes before the seminar!
5. As expected, quite confusing as to who will be coming next week--it will take a little time to bed down as students find the slot that works for them.
6. I'm getting some interesting insights into students' struggles with some aspects of their courses.