The Power of Vulnerability in the Classroom

Vulnerability in the classroom!!!??? Weakness more like! As a teacher?! Don't be daft! You'll get trampled on! Students are cruel, and you'll be laughed at! Have some leadership!!! Take control! - My argument (in a lesson) to the suggestion that educators should be vulnerable!

But then....

I took my first class! :) :) :) (At time of writing I have taken 3 - woop!) My brief - to talk to post-compulsory students about my own experience as a student, to explain about the third year in a different campus, and to inspire students.

And at the end of it, I am so pleased, and happy, and inspired myself. How does that work? Where you go into a classroom setting in order to share your own experience and inspire others, and you come out with your own dreams re-ignited?

I love stirring up the possibilities within people. Walking into a room full of different students, you can feel the potential in the room and see the thirst for knowledge even in the way they look at you expectantly. I found my own nerves start to leave when I realised I didn't have to be some authoritative figure, pouring in new knowledge, but that by sharing my own story, I was calling them to be who they were born to be. I found that because I have struggled and come through smiling, that I could honestly explain the pain and struggle, and then end with a positive outcome. I believe I even said the words 'If I can do it, then you can'. :)

There's nothing quite like encouraging someone, building up their world, maybe even making them feel better, or at least motivated or focused on a goal. Giving a boost to someone's confidence, or self-worth, or allowing them to dream bigger and aim higher is such a privilege. I hope God always grants me the grace to use my passion to share 'life' with others.

Life, and the ability to do what we were born to do is within each one of us. Allowing someone to discover that they have this, is totally beautiful. Life is so beautiful, so precious, and often so fragile. We have this moment, this time to do all we can, to reach our own potential, to walk into our destiny with purpose; head held high.

And if that is all too much - think about where you've come from? All that's happened in your life to get you to this point. You're here! You made it so far. Each one of us, unique, beautiful, fearfully & wonderfully made, free to choose, free to believe what we like, free to make our own decisions. It is not always easy & frequently challenging. But it's a beautiful life. Full of twists, turns, colours, air, light, dark, cake and helium balloons! :) I am so grateful.

It's so easy as a student (and a tutor) to get disgruntled, and disheartened. Life is lovely, but we live it within the constraints of so many things: Deadlines, school runs, curriculum, sickness, relationships, diets, family events, shopping, exercise, yoga, cooking tea, blogging, pregnancy, football, TV, studying, reading, playing, but somehow we fit it all on. Our ability to cope is variable, and when you think that a group of people who are doing life, then all meet together, waiting for another person to 'teach' them (who also is doing life), it is a natural opportunity for holistic education, and a sharing of experience, knowledge, ideas and of life. There is a sense of vulnerability about opening yourself up to learn, teach, share knowledge, feelings, frustrations and joys. But it is a vulnerability which, I believe, is needed, if the relationship between student and educator is to develop into a mutually beneficial tool. This tool, empowers, extends learning and ignites passion.

Of course, feel free to ask me how I feel again after years of teaching..... but until then, My mind has been changed.

Mum! Watch My Film! YouTube and My 6 Year Old.

The new craze for my son this month is filming. He films his play. All the time. He grabs the canon digital camera and sets to work. He has developed a natural ability to change perspectives, zoom in and out appropriately, fade out and even put together series of days worth of filming.

It began with him filming his Thomas the Tank Engine poster in his room. He sang through the entire theme tune, focusing on each individual character as a close up, until he got to the end of the theme tune where he zoomed in on the Thomas and Friends logo. Amazing! But it didn't stop there. He took the camera onto the floor and set it up to film his train set. What followed was an entire 'episode' of a Thomas story which he acted out with his trains to the camera. Geez! He is 6!

The latest demand he has is for his own You Tube channel. which I have given him. I am going to start posting his videos just as they are, so as people can see their raw beauty. They are rough and unedited, but funny and insightful into his world.

Does anyone know of an editing program which is free and easy to use? I think this may be a way to scaffold his learning further on the back of his natural interest.

However, I worry about the comments left on them, if they are negative and if he will read them. I am also aware that there is a lot of unsuitable content on You Tube, so how do I go about censoring this with my son, apart from being with him all the time he is online? But on the plus side, this is a fabulous opportunity for him. Not just to develop his creativity and imagination skills (so vital in autism), but also to understand the nature of broadcasting, networking and social interaction (also an essential skill for autism) online. After all, that is the society he is growing up in, right?

Autism and Time

My 6 year old son has autism.

He is struggling to get to grips with time. Not the telling of it. He can look at a clock and tell the time, but he finds it difficult to use or understand time concepts in conversation.

Well, I don't blame him, it's all a bit confusing. I use phrases like 'in a minute', or 'just give me a second', or 'I'll be two minutes', flippantly.

In my son's world, I lie. If I say we'll be leaving in two minutes, he sits on the stairs, coat on and ready and counts. Out loud. I feel like I'm on a frustrating game on countdown. I am trying to look at social situations with him, and explain what people mean isn't always what they say. He sometime feels very frustrated with me, because of the words I use, like I am playing a game and not abiding by the rules. If I say 2 minutes, I should mean it.

As well as trying to reassure him, and change my phraseology with him, I have also been trying out some games online and some apps on the iPhone / iPad (which he loves). I am always amazed at what you can find to help enhance your life and educate your children.

http://www.modelmekids.com/iphone-app-autism.html - uses apps which help my son look at social situations and different eventualities which occur, and models appropriate ways of how to deal with them.

'Something special' on cbeebies, ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/somethingspecial/games/somethingspecial-outandabout/ ) have games on their website which allow my son learn about facial expressions and their meanings... another concept he struggles with, as 'sometimes people smile when they are sad, or angry'. How confusing.

However, although reality is confusing for him, I do believe that these games and apps help him. Not only in explaining how things work & why they sometimes go wrong, but also they allow him to practice skills. The most important one at the moment being 'waiting'.

When the games are loading, he has to wait. this allows me to use the time as a practice for my own words too. Using phrases such as ' a bit later' or 'soon' or giving a visual aid like an egg timer or using the 'loading' bars which appear on the screen, is really helping my son with this concept.

As with all things in my life, If I do the work and change my own language, preparation and time management, life for my son becomes easier too; as our worlds begin to meet in the middle.

Here's the link to more information about why social situations and communicating is difficult for my son, and others like him. I hope it's inspiring for you. :) http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/communicating-and-interacting/social-skills/social-skills-in-young-children.aspx

Do you have similar experiences? Or do you have any knowledge of apps or games that would help us more with the issue of time???

A phone is for life, not just for Christmas! (Does your child have a mobile phone)??

It has finally happened. My daughter has asked for a mobile phone. She is 7.

The usual, expected stories have come out - "everyone else has one, her best friend is getting one from Santa, she can use it for music as well as calls.... the list she has formulated to her advantage is substantial.

And to some extent - I want to give her a phone. I would feel better knowing she could contact me whenever she wants. That I could come charging to her rescue! However, the reality is, I always know where she is! She is SEVEN! She's at home with me, at school or at her Grandparents or her Dad's house. They all have phones. She can use them to call me whenever she likes, and she does! :)

I came to thinking that actually, her request probably only seems scary to me because I'm still of the thinking that mobile phones are a new invention!!! (I still believe I'm 18 in my head). Whereas the reality is, that phones are the norm. Everyone has one!!! I couldn't do without mine. Not only is it my phone, it's my diary, my reminders, my alarm clock, my compass, my GPR, my MP3, my social networking service, my texting service, my email checker, my twittering tool, my camera AND my period tracker!!!!! As a result, if you are anything like me, phones are indispensable! My daughter knows this. She has seen this. My daughter has grown up watching mummy with her phone, most of the time. Isn't is therefore, natural that she should ask for one for Christmas? So, i begin my parental list of pro's and cons....

Benefits?

* I know where she is, she has constant access to me. She fit in with peers. She can text and call her friends, Dad, grandparents, me.

* If she gets into trouble, feels lonely, needs help, money or a lift in the car, she can call.

*She can use it for educational purposes, she can have apps that help her with school work, take photos, scan QR tags, google and research on the spot, wherever she is.

Negatives?

* She'll use it everywhere, at school, at home, out. It will distract her from 'important' things, like homework.

* It is expensive. Although, getting much cheaper all the time.

* Will texting effect her grammar and spelling? Will she disappear into an invisible social world and not actually see anyone.

* She will call me for lifts, money, sweets. She may not develop independence as much as if she has to fend for herself, risk and work out problems on her own without reaching straight for the phone first.

*and lastly - the Internet. It brings up so so so so many safety issues for my little girl. I want her to have a childhood on the beach, in the mud, tangible with friends who we see and laugh with in person, not just online. I don't want to lose her to texts, social networks and browsing just yet. I do not feel ready to give her full, un-censored Internet access, when she is 7, vulnerable, and impressionable.

So, I guess I have to make a decision as to what to do, because Christmas is just around the corner. Am I being overprotective by not giving her a phone? Am I safeguarding her? Am I stifling her natural inquisitiveness to want to use mobile Internet as a tool for learning and socialising? She's growing up in a technology-rich world, naturally wanting to engage with it.... should I empower her or harness the desire?

So, any parents or peers with any thoughts?? Help! Does your child have a mobile / cell phone?!

Using Iris Scanning Technology in Schools

Biometric iris scanners - only for use in Mission Impossible and James Bond????! Well 007, look again - because it's the new way for students to take out library books and pay for school dinners!

And I thought the perks of having my NUS card were futuristic and fabulous! Not in comparison to this!

I have to admit though, that being slightly dramatic, I'd like to get into character when using an iris scanner or fingerprint recognition technology when gaining entry to the school building....

..... Hands locked into a pistol shape, hair flicking like one of Charlie's Angels, a quick scan of the surrounding area for enemies before my breaking dash for entry - a run, leap, forward roll, sprint, double cartwheel and triple bypass - and then up to the iris scanner, with perfect hair, make-up and no mud on my stilletos.....

Sorry.

My thoughts today, other than of being a Bond Girl, centre around the concept of this biometric technology as our friend, or foe??

The protection of students surely comes into question. Yes, they are able to utilise this amazing technology to borrow books, pay for meals, and gain entry, but is this at the expense of their right to privacy? Surely it's like being tapped? Or spied on? (Could someone else knock you out and gain entry to the school by placing your limp hand on the scanner??? - I digress).

The current changes being proposed to the Protection of Freedoms Bill, will ask for both parents to give their consent for a child to use this system. This legislation comes as a result of campaigns against the system that claim the privacy of the students is in jeopardy and that schools are being turned into "authoritarian fortresses".

However, the argument from the ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders), is that people are confusing the use of the biometric systems (for library, access and catering purposes), with the use of biometric data used in criminal and terrorism contexts - and I suppose confusion with films - such as - er... Mission Impossible, and well, er..... James Bond. I stand corrected!!!

I guess, as with any new system, the pupils have a right to use or to refuse this method. They can, for example, use cards. ASCL again, advocate the use of this method as a way of preventing bullying, as it avoids the stigma which can be attached to getting free school meals, and stolen cards are not able to be used, (however, I refer you back to my previous brackets regarding limp, stolen fingerprints)!

As the systems are 'closed', and only available to each individual school, the worry that the students data is on a national database may be allayed.

However, my question is, how long will it be until a national grid is in place? Technology like this doesn't settle or stay content and confined within the Movies??! It's real, happening and developing. My children will probably use this technology. Due to the growth and rapid change of this system, isn't it valid that people get confused with the biometric contexts?

Watch this space, because if the system can recognise you enough to charge you for meals or give you entry to a building, that sounds an awful lot like 007 is round the corner and that I need to start practising my high kick and digging out my catsuit.

See the article in the Times Educational Supplement, 18th Nov, 2011, for more info. :)

and other links.... such as....

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6058918

I waste my time on Facebook!

OK, OK, I admit it!

Facebook is my homepage! I thought I couldn't live without my daily dose of nosey... i mean healthy interest in other people's lives.

I get happy feelings from a high number of notifications, and feel positively loved when someone leaves a nice comment on a photograph!!!

However, having just spent a few days away from facebook allowed me to make a couple of decisions! I am loving the new 'close friends' group. You can now group friends together into gangs! :) I now have uni friends, aquaintences (people i knew from primary school and whom I haven't seen since except from online), and close friends!

I now am only sharing more personal status updates, photos, and posts with my close friends - you know, people who I actually communicate with and hug outside of technology.

I admit - this is so that I can keep my ever growing number of 'friends', and still keep some privacy, whilst sharing info online with my special friends.

Is this the new 'defriending'????????

Would love to know your thoughts???

Oh! I GIVE UP! Technology is Running Away From Me!!!

My 5o year old Aunt expressed this frustrated title last night when we were discussing my new QRReader app on the iPhone. My mother (also 50), just shook her head and stated that she doesn't even know how to text or turn on a PC.

I offered both of them a quick tutorial. It wouldn't have taken long, 15 mins maybe, to get them online and started. But one didn't want to know anything more about QR codes, as they 'wouldn't apply' to her life, and the other said she doesn't have the time to use a computer or a phone and it would be 'a waste of time showing her'.

SIGH!

Look, even at 32 i feel like technology is running away from me a bit - but when my children pick up an iPad and use it with ease first time, I feel a need to grow and change with the move of technology rather than turn a blind eye and hope that I can rely on old methods to get me through the next 50 years of my life.

So isn't the point of ever changing technology to keep improving? To enhance our life? To expand our capabilities? Is it really running away from our ability & thinking, or is fear of change at the heart of these statements?

Does the prospect of failing prevent trying??? Even with a mobile phone or a PC???

I believe it does. Especially for those who have NOT been born into a digital age.

My children have been surrounded with touch screens, mobiles, laptops and digital cameras since birth. Typing on the keyboard and surfing Cbeebies is a natural part of their everyday! When new apps come out, or new software, their view is to thirst after the new and work out how to apply it to their life.

What is it about changing technology that creates fear of the unknown in some, and then thirst for knowledge in others????

This is something I should consider as an educator; the mix of attitude towards using technology in the classroom. what some may find fun and easy, is stressful and creating fear in others.

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PS. This link will take you to the advert on TV in England at the moment, asking those who are knowledgeable, and who have fun with technology to give an hour to help someone else get online. See what you think this stereotypes..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5bR7ixCNVI