Preparing_to_Teach_in_the_Lifelong_Learning_Sector

Module One – Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector Task One Plan and deliver a 30 minute observed micro-teach. Critically reflect on your learning from this micro-teach writing a maximum of 500 words within your critical reflection. Ensure that you critically reflect on the teaching and learning approaches used, the resources that you employed and how you met all the learners’ needs. I felt nervous and apprehensive to start with standing up in front of my peers, but felt that the micro-teach went well. I had spent a long period of time thinking about the subject I was delivering and was confident that it would be interesting for the learners and they would leave with a good understanding and a basic knowledge in relation to the colouring of hair. When I had completed the micro teach and reflected on the actual lesson and peer feedback I realised that there were some good areas which was very pleasing however there was weak areas in the session that needed to be addressed. To help me gain the most from the excellent peer feedback and personal reflection I have decided to list the bullet points from both areas. Good areas: • Good knowledge of subject matter • Confident manner • Well paced lesson • Good clear delivery • Well presented powerpoint • Clear aims/objectives which were achieved • Good practical visual aids to enhance technical points • Good use of flashcards to check learning of students at end of micro-teach Weak areas/areas for improvement: • I incorporated two activities during the micro–teach, these went well, however I feel that it would have been more beneficial if I had used some activities that were designed for small group or pair work. So for my next micro-teach/lesson I intend to use a combination of small/pair group activities. • Covering two aspects of the colouring unit was too much, I should have concentrated on just one and gone into a bit more detail. In future I intend to ensure that I do not try to incorporate too much information into too short a time. I will achieve this by breaking up the information into bite size chunks • I need to ensure that learners are paying attention when giving instruction for task ahead. For my next micro-teach and future lessons I will ensure that I have the attention of all learners prior to explaining task. • It was noticed by my peers in the feedback that I tended to read directly from the PowerPoint, watching the video of my micro- teach bore this out so in future I will use the PowerPoint as a visual for learners only. To help me I will have notes in front of me to read from, instead of referring to PowerPoint. • The visualiser broke down on the day which I was going to use it to show how to carry out the work out of the numeracy task. On reflection, I could have used the whiteboard to show/demonstrate the working out of the numeracy activity. • I was able to include a naturally occurring functional skill (numeracy) this did not go quite as well as I had hoped for. Next time I intend to use a more interactive small group activity, and demonstrate an example to the learners’ prior to them carrying out the task I have learnt a great deal from the tutor and peer feedback, I felt all the points raised were very constructive, it was reassuring to see that there were many good points and if I ensure I work on the areas where I can improve my future micro-teaches/lessons will be more interactive and cover all learners’ needs and styles of learning. Word count 556