I had my first day on the PGCE yesterday. We were bombarded with an incredible amount of information, and I get the impression that professional studies is going to be very dry. We spent the afternoon with the science department, however, which was much more interesting and enjoyable. I think I'll enjoy the subject studies part of the course. Still no news on my placement school, though...
x
Turn on thread page Beta
You are Here:
Home
> Forums
>< Careers and Jobs
>< Career sectors and graduate employment
>< Teacher training, teaching and education jobs
|
PGCE - Current Students Thread watch
Announcements
-
tory88
- Follow
- 16 followers
- 16 badges
- Send a private message to tory88
- Study Helper
Offline16ReputationRep:Study Helper- Follow
- 3881
- 16-09-2014 13:42
-
- Follow
- 3882
- 16-09-2014 16:16
(Original post by tory88)
I had my first day on the PGCE yesterday. We were bombarded with an incredible amount of information, and I get the impression that professional studies is going to be very dry. We spent the afternoon with the science department, however, which was much more interesting and enjoyable. I think I'll enjoy the subject studies part of the course. Still no news on my placement school, though...
Subject sessions are very helpful in practice and exciting (I felt almost like I was going back to school!) but subject content will always change and ideas are available in lots of places. It's much harder to find opportunities to discuss principles of education with groups of other professionals, especially tutors who are experts. I'd recommend noting down (in shorthand-don't spend ages unless you feel you want to reflect more) interesting things you notice in practice to discuss at your next PS session as bringing real examples really helps stimulate the interesting discussion and make it all more relevant.
Xxx
Posted from TSR Mobile -
fiverileys
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to fiverileys
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3883
- 17-09-2014 12:28
What lovely words of encouragement :-) I have just started my PGCE - I've had one week of lectures and seminars! So far, I love it. I am after a little advise though, I have a tutorial on Tuesday where I am to discuss my 'targets for Development' We are to identify three targets and discuss them with our tutor. I don't really know what is meant by this - they say the targets should be 'challenging and precise' and I will need to say what I will do to reach them and how I will know these targets have been met - do you have an example of what I should be writing??
-
- Follow
- 3884
- 17-09-2014 13:14
(Original post by fiverileys)
What lovely words of encouragement :-) I have just started my PGCE - I've had one week of lectures and seminars! So far, I love it. I am after a little advise though, I have a tutorial on Tuesday where I am to discuss my 'targets for Development' We are to identify three targets and discuss them with our tutor. I don't really know what is meant by this - they say the targets should be 'challenging and precise' and I will need to say what I will do to reach them and how I will know these targets have been met - do you have an example of what I should be writing??
I find it really tough to stick to these but it does help make the whole thing a lot clearer! Chances are your uni will have a form to full in with targets which will lead you to these things anyway. Basically you want something precise, state how you are going to achieve it including support you need and when by.
It's tough at this point as you haven't started teaching yet, there are so many targets it's hard to choose some and know how you'll achieve them. So I think they'll probably give you lots of support in choosing and writing them at this stage
Example:
To be able to use my voice effectively.
Children will respond to changes in my tone of voice, mentors will note use of voice in observations.
I will observe other teachers using voice, discuss user of voice with my class teacher, practice my tones of voice out of class and note what works after each lesson.
Achieved by Xmas.
Ok that one wasn't very specific lol... It's easier to set specific goals for children than yourself :P
Another example:
To use peer assessment at least once a day.
Will be noted on plans and observed by mentor.
I will observe other teachers' peer assessment methods, read about ideas in x book.
Achieved by October half term.
Things in general that you might want to work on at this stage are setting behaviour boundaries, developing a relationship with the children, getting timings right, including essential elements in your lessons, learning marking procedures.
Things like whole class assessment, adapting plans well, supporting SEN will probably come later in the year
Hope this helps a little. Overall, don't panic, they will support you and it will get easier as you go along as you'll have targets from lesson observations to work on. For now just think about what you are nervous about and how you can get better at that.
Xxx
Posted from TSR MobileLast edited by kpwxx; 17-09-2014 at 13:25. -
fiverileys
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to fiverileys
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3885
- 17-09-2014 13:48
Thank you so much for your help - I like your example of using your voice effectively. I hadn't heard of SMART but I googled and watched a power point presentation on it which was very good.
I think at this stage, I will just set targets for myself based around Uni work, which will be gaining knowledge and understanding of the Teaching Standards and setting myself smaller achievable goals as I am a bit bogged down with family life and workload already so I guess devising a 'doable' timetable my be my first target!
I am not out on placement till after Easter as I am doing the part time course.
Thank you for your advice. Much appreciated -
- Follow
- 3886
- 17-09-2014 20:02
(Original post by fiverileys)
Thank you so much for your help - I like your example of using your voice effectively. I hadn't heard of SMART but I googled and watched a power point presentation on it which was very good.
I think at this stage, I will just set targets for myself based around Uni work, which will be gaining knowledge and understanding of the Teaching Standards and setting myself smaller achievable goals as I am a bit bogged down with family life and workload already so I guess devising a 'doable' timetable my be my first target!
I am not out on placement till after Easter as I am doing the part time course.
Thank you for your advice. Much appreciated
Yes definitely make then doable and don't be afraid to give yourself plenty of time to achieve them. If you get it done sooner you always can set a new target, if it's not dove you have to explain why!
There are loads of techniques and ideas eg learning theories to learn about, plus curriculum knowledge, so there should be plenty to choose from
Xxx
Posted from TSR Mobile -
fiverileys
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to fiverileys
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3887
- 17-09-2014 20:22
I feel so much better now. Thank you everso much -
Esmeralda4
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to Esmeralda4
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3888
- 19-09-2014 15:46
(Original post by Peachz)
How does it work for you then?? -
- Follow
- 3889
- 19-09-2014 17:13
(Original post by Esmeralda4)
Sorry, only just seen this! We are in uni for 2 and a half weeks, induction at school on the final of those weeks for one day. Then have orientation in school for 3 weeks, back to uni, then school again for main block. :-) That's first placement anyway! I'm in school for my induction next Wednesday!! -
Esmeralda4
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to Esmeralda4
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3890
- 19-09-2014 17:51
(Original post by Peachz)
Ooh nice. The kids were hard work this afternoon, really giddy. The Friday fever clearly hit them. -
- Follow
- 3891
- 19-09-2014 18:26
Wow, first uni day, received our star documents etc, already half thinking arghh, there's so much to do! But I know the rule is slow and steady wins the race so it's just a case of being organised and careful and making sure I do stuff in plenty of time!
-
- Follow
- 3892
- 19-09-2014 18:32
(Original post by Esmeralda4)
Uh oh! What year are you in? -
Esmeralda4
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to Esmeralda4
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3893
- 19-09-2014 19:05
(Original post by Peachz)
Year 2 at the minute, they're a bit too young for me, ideal year would probably be 3 or 4! I taught a computing class today with 6 of them and it was hard to keep them engaged. -
diamondsky89
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to diamondsky89
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3894
- 19-09-2014 19:25
Had my first full week at uni for my Primary PGCE, so much to take in but I have really enjoyed it so far! It felt really surreal the first day or two but now I have really got into it.
There has been SO much information to try and take in but the lecturers are amazing and some of the lectures/seminars have been different to anything I've seen/done before
Now I am just very tired!Last edited by diamondsky89; 19-09-2014 at 19:26. -
- Follow
- 3895
- 19-09-2014 19:40
(Original post by Esmeralda4)
Yeah I can see what you mean! I'm based in year 2 for my first placement. I'm excited but so worried as well! -
- Follow
- 3896
- 21-09-2014 20:26
I'm starting my first full week of subjects tomorrow! Excited but nervous too. It already feels like information overload.
-
MissAlwaysWright
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to MissAlwaysWright
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3897
- 22-09-2014 00:05
(Original post by Chrissi86)
I'm starting my first full week of subjects tomorrow! Excited but nervous too. It already feels like information overload. -
- Follow
- 3898
- 22-09-2014 18:54
(Original post by MissAlwaysWright)
I'm feeling the same! I've done a lot of subject already, got a week of professional development starting tomorrow before I'm unleashed! ������ good luck x -
- Follow
- 3899
- 22-09-2014 21:28
Holy cow, just been given a load of our directed activities as well as a presentation to do in pairs for Friday coming...so much work to do and we haven't started teaching yet!!
-
MissAlwaysWright
- Follow
- 0 followers
- 0 badges
- Send a private message to MissAlwaysWright
Offline0ReputationRep:- Follow
- 3900
- 22-09-2014 23:32
(Original post by Ratchit99)
Holy cow, just been given a load of our directed activities as well as a presentation to do in pairs for Friday coming...so much work to do and we haven't started teaching yet!!
Reply
Submit reply
Turn on thread page Beta
Related discussions:
- Positive PGCE experiences?
- Advice please from current students/graduates PGCE from ...
- Help from current/past Primary PGCE students at IOE?
- Current/Past PGCE students, what's your course end date?
- Current Edinburgh Students Chat Thread
- Current Edinburgh Students Chat Thread
- Help from Past/Current Primary PGCE students at IOE?
- Current UCL students' chat thread!
- Current UCL students' chat thread!
- Any current Warwick PGCE students??
TSR Support Team
We have a brilliant team of more than 60 Support Team members looking after discussions on The Student Room, helping to make it a fun, safe and useful place to hang out.
This forum is supported by:
Updated: June 30, 2017
Share this discussion:
Tweet