I was busy in the summer and thus I haven't reflected the content of the start-up days on this blog yet. So I'm trying to reminisce those days now.
The iVet programme started with two contact days in Oulu on the 3rd and 4th of June. I met the other students and the teachers for the first time. We had several activities, but unfortunately I can't remember them all. At least I remember I had a good time there. I also remember I realized this iVet programme contains a lot of learning by doing, which I find a good method. I think it prepares you better for teaching work than just reading theory and listening to lectures. It's better to try different teaching and learning methods in practice than just read about them from books.
I remember that we tried out several computer programmes that can be used in online teaching. I already had previous experience of using the Adobe Connect programme. The Padlet programme was new to me, and I found it quite convenient. It's a good way to give everybody a chance to participate in an online conversation. I also wrote down the names of a few online tests that could be used at online teaching. We also started our own blogs during those two days in Oulu.
We also had a couple of presentations about going abroad for the teacher practise. I found the information interesting and I'm certainly going to consider that option.
On the 18th of June we had our first online meeting where we tested the AC environment. There were some technical problems at first, for example not everybody had a headset yet and there was a lot of echo on the line when many mics were on. But we managed to have that lesson somehow, turned the microphones off and used a chat or padlet window for commenting.
Finally, I have written to my paper notes that I should write a definition of reflection. I searched it from the Internet and found the following that I found good:
Source: Hinett, K. Improving learning through reflection – part one. The Higher Education Academy.
www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/resources/database/id485_improving_learning_part_one.pdf
"Reflection might be seen as both an approach and method for improving the
quality and depth of student learning. Reflection is a way of thinking about
learning and helping individual learners to understand what, how and why
they learn. It is about developing the capacity to make judgments and evaluating
where learning might take you.
Expressing reflection means finding a 'voice'
by which to express thoughts and inevitably this increases
confidence and self-awareness in ability. Reflection aids not
only deep learning of particular subject matter but also the
development and utilisation of a bank of skills.
Reflection also aids deep learning by promoting independent
thought. The fact that in many education settings learners
are required to provide evidence of their reflection, either
through a learning journal, personal development portfolio, or
video, means that students have to focus their thoughts and
articulate either verbally or in written form the results of
their reflection."
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