...why I haven't been blogging for ages? And I might answer because I have had a lot of things on my mind. Really a lot! About the present and about the future in particular.
I finished my practice placement in Humfryskolan in a rather odd way two weeks. All three of us had turned up for the last lesson at the school. Their 8th graders should finish their work on "The Shawshank Redemption". During their second lesson they had been watching 2/3 of the movie and expected to finish the viewing and homework during this final session.
Ulrik set up the projector and prepared for the screening of the film, but when he found out they hadn't done their homework and that they didn't respond to his answers he told them off and left the scene....with the DVD!!
This left Nicolas and I in a situation where we hadn't seen the movie but we had to carry on teaching about it!! Odd situation, but I think we found our way out of the situation. Indeed an interesting situation.
But a situation like that made me rethink my role as a teacher. Do I really want to become a teacher? For sure I want a bachelor in the profession, but do I want to work under the conditions I experienced in my recent placement? At the moment my answer will definitely be no! I expect a lot more from my colleagues, from the pupils, from the school and from the school's management.
At Humfryskolan I missed dynamics, visions and efficiency - and I don't really think that they are much different from the Danish schools. Neither the colleagues, the pupils nor the management. Teaching and learning is so important and so awfully interesting and inspiring that I find it terrifying that pupils and teachers don't take it seriously, and life wise inspiring to absorb and infuse learning. Their passive attitude sucks the energy out of me and drags me to a place I don't want to be. I want to be inspired, I want to absorb new knowledge, I want to reflect and inspire others. I want to develop and find new ways, and I cannot do that if my surroundings are passive.
I need to find the energy I need somewhere else, but I don't yet know where to look.
That is I have an idea....I think my practice placement like work with Salaam in April will help me in the right direction.
The past few weeks I have realized how important music and film is for me in my teaching. How strong an impact these media has in the learning process of young people...and this goes for the older ones too. When I think about my past I very often connect experiences with either a song or a movie clip. Think about it yourself - don't you put music to your inner film?
For my final assignment at Malmö Högskola I have decided to write about an American music phenomenon. I will write about him in a cultural perspective, I will look at semiotics, signifiers and signified, and I will have a look at the huge influence he has on the forming of identity with young people (especially girls) today or right now.
I came across him in search of semiotics / texts which were important for young people today. I looked him up on Youtube.com - Justin Bieber - and was astonished when I found out that his first real video had been viewed 475.120.159 times!!! After this information I simply had to find out why. I had to know what he wants to say and how he says it. With so many viewings and his massive use of the internet and social networks I simply had to find out what I was "up against".
The media around the world are talking about "Bieber Fever" and I just have to find out what virus has started this...
If it becomes a good assignment I might want to twist it a bit and turn it into my article abroad. Something like teaching culture, language, gender roles, forming of identity, comparing to own culture and much more through music videos.
But I'll need to consider that a bit more.....but it could be interesting. I asked my own children if they had ever worked with music videos during English or Danish lessons - they never had.....it made me wonder why, because there are a tremendous number of texts in music videos to be investigated...think I might be able to write a good article about it. I'll post my synopsis on this blog's assignment page.
....to be continued :o))
Wow - you are really thinking and developing professionally! Remember that learning is not a straight road but rather a winding and unpredictable path!
ReplyDeleteI fully understand your frustrations. My experience is that some schools will, in fact, live up to your expectations and I would recommendt that you look for them and only offer you services to such schools. That's what other students have done. Working in a school where nothing is what you want it to be, is impossible. Management is particularly important in that respect - and, of course, you could be a school head and give such opportunities of working and learning atmosphere to a group of teachers and students yourself! In other countries they talk about 'schools of excellence' and 'best practice' and I think we'll see more of professional school development taking place the same way.
With regard to you studies: Exciting! Keep it up, I'm sure you're on to something good. Let me know if you need further feedback.
I have considered going into school administration again now that I am much wiser as regards to not only the economic side but also the pedagogical/learning side of school leadership. But it's not a job it's a lifestyle and I'll have to consider that thoroughly before taking that turn in my life. Will I let go of the creative part to work on having a group of teachers "do as I say" - it's a tough job....
ReplyDeleteHope you'll find a way to stay energetic and positive.. Don't let your surroundings drain off your good spirit, Benita:)
ReplyDelete