Today was presentation day. Although I was worried as I have never undertaken the challenge of an academic presentation previously, reflecting over how I feel it went, I would happily do it again as it was nearly as awful as I had imagined. Now please don't think that I would say it was perfect, more of an experience (which I found rather enjoyable as it happens!), to learn from and build on for future presentations I may be required to do.
After my last blog and the feedback from fellow students/colleagues on which tool to use for my presentation (powerpoint or keynote), I ran with keynote. This was a really easy to use program and did everything I wanted it to. If you are planning to create your own presentation using this using this software however, be prepared to present it as a powerpoint also, as there were some technical difficulties with someone else's keynote presentation. Make like the scouts and "Be Prepared"!
The Q and A section of the presentation was actually more insightful than scary, as I received some wonderful feedback from Adesola on how to further develop my artefact. I was worried prior to presenting that I would be asked something I didn't know the answer to, but again this was just a horror scenario I had created for myself and in reality, I feel I gave some solid responses to the questions asked today.
Going forward, I will speak with Paula and find out whether I am allowed to post my presentation online, which will hopefully be helpful for others on the course both at present and in the future.
Of course, even though the 'stress' is over, I feel just as tense as I did this morning before presenting and will almost certainly remain this way until the results are posted. Unfortunately I don't currently own a time machine, so perhaps I will look attend some yoga/meditation classes until then, in an effort to ease my stress!
Friday 22 January 2016
Wednesday 6 January 2016
Module 3 submitted. Time to plan the presentation...
I submitted my critical review on Monday night and boy did it feel good...and equally terrifying. Monday night I slept for around four hours in total - not nearly enough for my liking (!) - as I kept running through my essay in my head, not that I can exactly edit it now, so I don't know why worrying about it would make a difference at this stage?! I am a bit of a worrier in life though and combined with being a perfectionist and a touch of OCD for good measure, I end up wide eyed at 3am.
Source: http://image.shutterstock.com
So I decided to write a blog, with the hope that by sharing my concern with the rest of the world, I might self soothe and reduce some anxiety at least, especially as there are another 48 days until module results are published...not that I am counting or anything!
Speaking of upcoming days, the presentation day is looming and so far I have done very little work on it. However, I do have Saturday all day to work on it, which is the plan of action.
I have never written (or delivered) a presentation of any sort, although how different can it be from teaching? I am sure that if I can stand in front of a group of judging, hormonal and quite often (verbally) abusive teenagers with confidence and successfully deliver information to them, surely a presentation to grown ups be fine...right? I will keep you posted...
To begin with, I am going to re-watach the powerpoint presentation Paula (uploaded to her blog) on how to create a presentation. I have also researched some websites on creating a university presentation and have uploaded some URLs for anyone who is looking for some advice -
I have also found a whole host of TED talks that give hints and tips on presentations:
Now I could do with a little advice if anybody can help...
When creating my presentation, I am unsure whether to use keynote or powerpoint, as I have access to both; keynote on my macbook, powerpoint at school. As I have never used either, I spoke to some colleagues and have heard mixed reviews of both. The internet again has a multitude of opinions on which is better, so if anyone has any experience of using either, I would really appreciate it!
Source: Google search at - http://niche-macworld-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PowerPoint-versus-Keynote.jpg
I have mentioned it before (in a previous blog), but during module 3, I really missed having the time to blog, as I find sitting, thinking and typing, extremely productive. Afterwards, I feel my mind relax a little and I rekindle the motivation to work towards my latest goals!
Here is to getting back into the swing of my blog...
Source: Google search at - http://limi-sro.sk/wp-content/uploads/mojito.jpg
CHEERS!
Saturday 2 January 2016
Reflecting over module 3 and planning beyond the course
It has been a while since my last (and only) module 3 blog. As discussed previously, I was late on developing ideas due to personal problems, however since then, the inquiry research took off like a steam train (developed down a slightly different path) and now I am almost ready to submit!
I cannot believe that we are almost done... :)
During module 3, I developed my network at school as a priority over my social media interactions, simply because (a) I was behind on time and (b) I will be working alongside these teachers as part of my teacher training course, so I felt that networking with these people would be beneficial in the long run too.
However, I have really missed this time to sit and reflect over my work and ideas so I wanted to get back into blogging, mainly for some 'me time' but also to help others who are in other modules if I can...I'm just a lovely person, what can I say?!
Considering the process as a whole entity, I would say that the research element was interesting, the ethical considerations (working in a school) were fairly time consuming - looking for policies/getting consent forms signed etc - but the analysis was the really difficult and very time consuming element for me. I had to continually remind myself that it was all qualitative research and so, when writing up findings, I had to be overly careful not to state things as fact. If anybody out there is struggling with this, have a look at 'hedging', something Paula introduced me to. There is also a 'Pocket Study Skills' book entitled 'Planning Your Dissertation' (Kate Williams), which was my life line during the whole process...
I had real difficulty in separating what I was doing as part of the research (what had been planned for), from the work I was doing as part of my everyday role as a TA. For example, I had to be careful to fully explain to the reader the situations and limitations I was working within, rather than assuming they knew (because I know as it is part of my job!). Similar to painting a picture, I often missed out the sketching part and went straight to colouring in (I am also sure that if Paula were reading this then she would have an artistic name for that technique!), so the reader would have questioned how I had got from one bit to the other.
The artifact was an enjoyable section of the inquiry for me as I was able to see the positives of the inquiry and how the school were planning to use my research to hopefully benefit the teachers and therefore, the students. As a soon to be teacher in training (get the 'L' plates ready!), this opportunity to aid the teachers would not have happened without the inquiry and for that, I am SO happy!
Moving forward, I am going to start working on the presentation so I will let you all know how that is progressing. If I am honest, I am a little nervous about the presentation, which as an actress sounds ridiculous I know, but the thought of doing an academic presentation that I have written is SCARY...
Anyway, if anyone has any questions about the inquiry process etc or anything that I may be able to help with, let me know as I am hoping to blog a few times a month during my teacher training :)
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