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Day 1 (well, 2 really) of the PG Cert. I am going in open minded and excited to learn. My first impression is how I can physically feel the interesting dynamic in a room of teachers teaching teachers. 

The session was led by Lindsay, who gave us some useful hints and tips to help us chill out during our time as students again. I studied my MA from 2016-18, so I’m not so unfamiliar with being a student and I think that was a bigger shock. Looking back I can see very clearly that I had imposters syndrome and was never able to truly relax. I don’t feel that now, so thats mint.

Here is Lindsay’s session plan, which I’m very into. It is organised and thoughtful. I think that its super important to have a session plan, to feel confident that you have full control over the situation. But also being okay if and when things deviate. 50% organised 50% Chill. Anyway, what did I take from this session?:

• Even though you know Lindsay just wants you to discuss and question the tasks given, there is the internal physical feeling of wanting to really be able to answer questions and ‘fix’ things. How get rid of that feeling for students?

• Collaborative peer work will always be a bit awkward, especially in a very loud room.

• Having to write and verbalise answers I actually found very difficult, as an image maker I want to draw, collage and make. Then I want to reflect on it a bit. Is this what I want my students to do?

• Some of the tech didn’t work so well, which happens. Remember to check and double check your tech.

We did a really great collaborative timeline. I am all for something big that comes together from all the voices in the room. It really helped situate myself within the course and also see how the reading has already helped to broaden my knowledge. This is a task worth noting. Lindsay then recorded herself describing the timeline, I think this is a great takeaway from the session. My own knowledge within the timeline was very much down the later end of things, and it was eye-opening to see the history of Higher Education. I am intrigued about the future of it.

To conclude, I met some nice people and discussed things I don’t know the answers too, that’s education right?