Wow! Exactly a year since my last post.
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One major difference from last year is that I am not picking up any work from the Help Desk because I have had all work for assessment (248 pieces for 6 modules) submitted through Turnitin and I am using Gradebook to give feedback within 4 weeks, one of which includes Christmas and, I hope 10 days leave in Nigeria.
While I am marking and on leave, over the next few weeks, I hope to use today's post to try and summarise the past year of huge change for me.
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Yesterday I should have been marking mid submission work for ED2046 until 1.30 before getting ready to go into UEL for tutorials with ED3022 and ED3033 students about the feedback I had just given them via Turnitin.
Instead of actually getting any marking done however, I spent from 9.00 up to 1 pm dealing with emails. Quite a few 'last minute.coms' for ED3022.
One of the emails was a nice one from RC about the concerns he had raised about ED3033 that has led to my being removed as Module Leader for it next Semester. I welcome the reduced workload, but will miss consolidating learning from teaching the module this Semester with many more students than anticipated.
Only two students actually showed up but I spoke with several who had been planning to come one for ED3033 and one for ED3022.
The ED3033 student wanted to know how about completing the Feedback and Proof of Engagement Template.
The ED3022 Youth and Community student wanted to discuss her work for which she had received a 43% but also talked at length about the impact studying the subject has had on her ... not being able to stop talking to people about the subject of intersex at work and to her Pastor.
After the tutorials, I tried to mark but it was hard. I was very tired and Jane had left us small bags of Lindt chocolates with a Christmas Card. I marked just two essays between 4 and 8.pm
8.30 I left UEL for the 9pm Bikram Yoga. Number 3 of my 14. Got there for 9.40 despite hold ups and diversions, having to take unknown routes and not being able to get into the gated area to park for the class. It was almost 11 pm when I got home.
I can see a difference in the extent to which I am able to stretch. There was some pain getting in and out of the car still but I could feel myself not wanting to sit with poor posture.
I slept soundly for 5 hours. I felt myself stretch out more as I slept.
That is enough about yesterday. What about the last year?
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It is over a week since I told T.A that I would keep a record of my experiences at work and I am just doing so. Not good. Why the hesitation? ... thinking, marking .....clearing up after NR.
I need to capture events of Semester B 2011 has just passed.
I did three sessions for Clearning during what should have been leave and have earned 3 extra days of leave for this year.
This semester I taught
ED1010 Children in Their Social Contexts
ED1015 Diaspora Communities in the UK
ED2046 Community Development Theory and Practice
ED3022 Gender Security and Education For All
ED3033 E-learning: Communication, Collaboration and Co-operation
I was also Subject Tutor for ED3000 Independent Research Project
I thought I would be teaching, that is, it was agreed at my SDR that I would be teaching:
ED1015 Diaspora Communities in the UK
ED2046 Community Development Theory and Practice
ED3022 Gender Security and Education For All
ED3033 E-learning: Communication, Collaboration and Co-operation
The ED3000 teaching and being the sole tutor for ED1010 was not anticipated but I took ED3000 on willingly because at least it would be an opportunity to re-engage with active and formal research in the field I teach again and I found myself with ED1010 because RM who was to have taught it was going to be leading a new Early Childhood programme. I had shot myself in the foot by agreeing to present the lectures for the module with RM in attendance and supporting.
I thought I would only be doing the lectures and organising the VLE for ED1010 but having nothing to do with assessment. I agreed to be involved with making these contributions to ED1010 as a way of winding down and writing up the learning from developing, teaching and learning on this module for ...8 years??
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday 14th December
Where have the last three weeks gone?
I will try to recall those days before they fade completely over the next few weeks.
If I could update every day in a week that would be fantastic.
Teaching is over.
Only ED3022 Gender Security and Education For All still to submit tomorrow.
The the marks for course work one of ED3022 have been record. Some excellent work has been produced, including some Gender Security learning resources with real potential for development. I hope the final reports take the achievements in course work one forward.
Sociology of London finished today with the final exam. A very good class of Fall 2010 at Ithaca College London Centre.
Picked up 85 ED1010 Children in Their Social Context assignments for marking.
I need to do 10 a day at least for the next two weeks to have done all my marking before I travel.
I am looking forward to being able to sit down to mark and to being able to take time out to write this blog.
Didn't get much sleep last night and I have flu ..... hang on! I had flu last time I was writing this blog.
I must get more rest.
I will try to recall those days before they fade completely over the next few weeks.
If I could update every day in a week that would be fantastic.
Teaching is over.
Only ED3022 Gender Security and Education For All still to submit tomorrow.
The the marks for course work one of ED3022 have been record. Some excellent work has been produced, including some Gender Security learning resources with real potential for development. I hope the final reports take the achievements in course work one forward.
Sociology of London finished today with the final exam. A very good class of Fall 2010 at Ithaca College London Centre.
Picked up 85 ED1010 Children in Their Social Context assignments for marking.
I need to do 10 a day at least for the next two weeks to have done all my marking before I travel.
I am looking forward to being able to sit down to mark and to being able to take time out to write this blog.
Didn't get much sleep last night and I have flu ..... hang on! I had flu last time I was writing this blog.
I must get more rest.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Fourteenth day, Wednesday 27 October 2010
Slept quite late and did not get up until about 7.45.
Had quite a lot of tidying up to do. Paperwork tidying up took a lot of time.
Had thought there was no lecture for ED3022 in the evening, but discovered that I had made a mistake and a session on Education For All was planned that required some new material on education as oppression referencing Foucault (which is a huge gap in my material) and education for liberation and the practice of freedom referencing Paulo Freire and bell hooks. The challenge, as ever, is how to present these ideas in a meaningful way, in the limited time available and also leave time for discussion and group working.
Managed to leave home in time to get to UEL in time for my 12 - 1 AAG session (I now have four sessions a week!). Nobody was there for the session so I was able to do some of the preparation for ED3022 but not enough. When the session was over as I made my way to our office (I cannot call it mine since I share it with five other people) I asked to be booked into one of the small rooms outside our office with the intention of doing the rest of my preparation for teaching that evening in there. It was just as well because everybody was in. The office was full. Kevin was very focused and seemed to be able to get on with what he was doing despite the presence of others.
Managed to get the preparation done but when I went to load the materials into UEL Plus it was down. I had already decided that I was going to photocopy the power point I was going to use because I had not been able to load it into UEL Plus 24 hours in advance. Just about managed to get the printing done in time for the lecture but when presenting, discovered several mistakes.
After the lecture, went back to the office to make copies of the article students on ED1015 would need to do their second open book test on Tuesday next week. Decided I might as well do the register for ED3022 while I was in the office.
Was quite drained when I got home and even though I had intended to do the UEL Plus page for ED3022's session 5, I just could not muster the energy to do it.
Niilante was already at home back from the taekwondo class. He finished off a shepherd's pie he was making which was lovely with broccoli. I watered the plants on the balcony while he was cooking. It is over a week since I have had a chance to but all seem to be doing quite well and one of the rose buds has lost its outer green.
Watched Mad Men to unwind and realised I am finding the programme quite attractive.
It was 1.30 or so when I eventually went to bed.
Had quite a lot of tidying up to do. Paperwork tidying up took a lot of time.
Had thought there was no lecture for ED3022 in the evening, but discovered that I had made a mistake and a session on Education For All was planned that required some new material on education as oppression referencing Foucault (which is a huge gap in my material) and education for liberation and the practice of freedom referencing Paulo Freire and bell hooks. The challenge, as ever, is how to present these ideas in a meaningful way, in the limited time available and also leave time for discussion and group working.
Managed to leave home in time to get to UEL in time for my 12 - 1 AAG session (I now have four sessions a week!). Nobody was there for the session so I was able to do some of the preparation for ED3022 but not enough. When the session was over as I made my way to our office (I cannot call it mine since I share it with five other people) I asked to be booked into one of the small rooms outside our office with the intention of doing the rest of my preparation for teaching that evening in there. It was just as well because everybody was in. The office was full. Kevin was very focused and seemed to be able to get on with what he was doing despite the presence of others.
Managed to get the preparation done but when I went to load the materials into UEL Plus it was down. I had already decided that I was going to photocopy the power point I was going to use because I had not been able to load it into UEL Plus 24 hours in advance. Just about managed to get the printing done in time for the lecture but when presenting, discovered several mistakes.
After the lecture, went back to the office to make copies of the article students on ED1015 would need to do their second open book test on Tuesday next week. Decided I might as well do the register for ED3022 while I was in the office.
Was quite drained when I got home and even though I had intended to do the UEL Plus page for ED3022's session 5, I just could not muster the energy to do it.
Niilante was already at home back from the taekwondo class. He finished off a shepherd's pie he was making which was lovely with broccoli. I watered the plants on the balcony while he was cooking. It is over a week since I have had a chance to but all seem to be doing quite well and one of the rose buds has lost its outer green.
Watched Mad Men to unwind and realised I am finding the programme quite attractive.
It was 1.30 or so when I eventually went to bed.
Thirteenth day, Tuesday 26 October 2010
Got up at 5 am to do the preparation my class at Ithaca.
Fortunately most of the marking of mid term assessments was done and there were only a few essays left to mark. Still had to calculate the overall marks and the mid term grades and send them in before the deadline that would come while I was teaching.
With all this accomplished and some time to spare, it was trying to prepare for ED1015 which resulted in my leaving late for Ithaca and being 20 minutes late for the class. I could have driven to save time, but decided against it because I have driven in for the last two weeks before the mid term break and I don't want it to become a habit. Besides I needed the time riding the bus to review materials for ED1015 later that day
Ithaca students were kind about my being late. They had interesting tales to tell about their mid term break trips to Switzerland, Ireland, Italy and France.
Used the 15 minute break to update UEL Plus page for the ED1015 that would be taking place in the evening.
Came home after Ithaca to prepare for teaching at UEL that evening. Had some of the joloff rice and stew that Jolaolu had prepared on Monday and left for UEL at 4 pm, half an hour later than intended. It was nice to have a hot meal mid day for a change.
Despite terrible traffic on approach to Rotherhithe tunnel due to road works and the approach to Stratford I got to UEL in time to copy materials for the lecture and have a productive Advice and Guidance session with a student about his ED3000 project. The student was a bit angry about being sent from person to person for supervision and not having had a supervisor at all last semester. The session was shared with Mary Karpel so after the student had left satisfied we were able to chat and fix dates for workshops with EDUCOM students who have to apply for AEL. Mary is always so supportive. After our 'chat' I felt less anxious about my failure to meet some of the deadlines I am missing because my workload is so heavy.
The ED1015 session focused on writing a literature review, which is their next assignment, and watching Coolies: How Britain reinvented slavery using a worksheet to process and reflect on the documentary. As usual the video had a powerful of impact on the students.
On the way home, I stopped to get groceries and got home just after 10 pm.
Unpacked most of the shopping but was too tired to tidy the fridge and arrange the purchases. I fell asleep on the coach which is how Niilante and Anita found me when they came in later. I was even too tired to get up off the couch and go to bed.
Fortunately most of the marking of mid term assessments was done and there were only a few essays left to mark. Still had to calculate the overall marks and the mid term grades and send them in before the deadline that would come while I was teaching.
With all this accomplished and some time to spare, it was trying to prepare for ED1015 which resulted in my leaving late for Ithaca and being 20 minutes late for the class. I could have driven to save time, but decided against it because I have driven in for the last two weeks before the mid term break and I don't want it to become a habit. Besides I needed the time riding the bus to review materials for ED1015 later that day
Ithaca students were kind about my being late. They had interesting tales to tell about their mid term break trips to Switzerland, Ireland, Italy and France.
Used the 15 minute break to update UEL Plus page for the ED1015 that would be taking place in the evening.
Came home after Ithaca to prepare for teaching at UEL that evening. Had some of the joloff rice and stew that Jolaolu had prepared on Monday and left for UEL at 4 pm, half an hour later than intended. It was nice to have a hot meal mid day for a change.
Despite terrible traffic on approach to Rotherhithe tunnel due to road works and the approach to Stratford I got to UEL in time to copy materials for the lecture and have a productive Advice and Guidance session with a student about his ED3000 project. The student was a bit angry about being sent from person to person for supervision and not having had a supervisor at all last semester. The session was shared with Mary Karpel so after the student had left satisfied we were able to chat and fix dates for workshops with EDUCOM students who have to apply for AEL. Mary is always so supportive. After our 'chat' I felt less anxious about my failure to meet some of the deadlines I am missing because my workload is so heavy.
The ED1015 session focused on writing a literature review, which is their next assignment, and watching Coolies: How Britain reinvented slavery using a worksheet to process and reflect on the documentary. As usual the video had a powerful of impact on the students.
On the way home, I stopped to get groceries and got home just after 10 pm.
Unpacked most of the shopping but was too tired to tidy the fridge and arrange the purchases. I fell asleep on the coach which is how Niilante and Anita found me when they came in later. I was even too tired to get up off the couch and go to bed.
Eighth day, Thursday 22 October 2010
Fed up with no heating.
Called Southwark Council to find out what had happened as a result of
last week's visit by engineer. Was told they would call back in 2 hours and they did call to say somebody would come and do the repair on Friday morning.
Attended to some emails. Writing this on Saturday so cannot remember how many.
Did ED1010 correspondence and prep for next week's session on social class that Tom usually does but which I had intended to do this time. Turned out this was just as well because Tom will be teaching ED2000.
Lots of calls to and from Lionel about the forthcoming visit by European scholars interested in putting together a proposal for funding to develop a learning community for identifying the competencies for teaching in multicultural contexts.
Even though I advised against it, Lionel went to go and meet them in their hotel in Russell Square but they were not there yet so he went back to UEL. I was down to go and have dinner with them at 7 pm in an Italian restaurant called the Balfour. I did not get there until about 8 pm because I did not want to leave home without completing the preparation for ED1010 next week. Had intended to take buses to this event so I could do some reading on the way, but ended up driving because I was running so late.
Picked up Amira from the Institute of Education where she had been in the Library and then we drove a very short distance to the restaurant. Found a parking space just in front of the restaurant for free!
Food was delicious. Especially the desert. I was surprised that non of the visitors is from an ethnic minority apart from Rubina.
Left the restaurant at something to ten. Dropped Amira at her hotel but spent lots of time in the car talking before I made my way home. It was about 12.30 when I got in.
I tried to do some work but was dropping off in front of the computer.
Eventually got to bed at 3.30 am.
Called Southwark Council to find out what had happened as a result of
last week's visit by engineer. Was told they would call back in 2 hours and they did call to say somebody would come and do the repair on Friday morning.
Attended to some emails. Writing this on Saturday so cannot remember how many.
Did ED1010 correspondence and prep for next week's session on social class that Tom usually does but which I had intended to do this time. Turned out this was just as well because Tom will be teaching ED2000.
Lots of calls to and from Lionel about the forthcoming visit by European scholars interested in putting together a proposal for funding to develop a learning community for identifying the competencies for teaching in multicultural contexts.
Even though I advised against it, Lionel went to go and meet them in their hotel in Russell Square but they were not there yet so he went back to UEL. I was down to go and have dinner with them at 7 pm in an Italian restaurant called the Balfour. I did not get there until about 8 pm because I did not want to leave home without completing the preparation for ED1010 next week. Had intended to take buses to this event so I could do some reading on the way, but ended up driving because I was running so late.
Picked up Amira from the Institute of Education where she had been in the Library and then we drove a very short distance to the restaurant. Found a parking space just in front of the restaurant for free!
Food was delicious. Especially the desert. I was surprised that non of the visitors is from an ethnic minority apart from Rubina.
Left the restaurant at something to ten. Dropped Amira at her hotel but spent lots of time in the car talking before I made my way home. It was about 12.30 when I got in.
I tried to do some work but was dropping off in front of the computer.
Eventually got to bed at 3.30 am.
Seventh day, Wednesday 20 October 2010
Date is 20.10.2010. Niilante points this out and says it is highly auspicious.
I ask him whether he has had the results for his MA and he decided to call up to find out.
He comes back from his room to ask which is higher, merit or distinction. He has a distinction .... wooo hooo. It is not official but I cannot help calling to tell Grandy and Ayo.
After speaking with Amira on the way into work, I call her back to tell her the news. I am overwhelmed with joy and find I am also tearful.
Outside Stratford station, our new car is hit from behind by a motor cyclist as I break to avoid a car crossing from the outside left lane to the right hand outside lane in front of me in the middle lane. The motor cyclist comes off his bike so I stop the car to see if he is alright. He gets up immediately says he is alright and after I have examined the car rather cursorily and think it is only some rubber from his tyre left on the bumper. I should really have taken his details but am badly shaken and relieved that he was able to get up and walk away.
Despite this I am in time for my Academic Advice and Guidance session.
ED3022 in the evening and then home.
I ask him whether he has had the results for his MA and he decided to call up to find out.
He comes back from his room to ask which is higher, merit or distinction. He has a distinction .... wooo hooo. It is not official but I cannot help calling to tell Grandy and Ayo.
After speaking with Amira on the way into work, I call her back to tell her the news. I am overwhelmed with joy and find I am also tearful.
Outside Stratford station, our new car is hit from behind by a motor cyclist as I break to avoid a car crossing from the outside left lane to the right hand outside lane in front of me in the middle lane. The motor cyclist comes off his bike so I stop the car to see if he is alright. He gets up immediately says he is alright and after I have examined the car rather cursorily and think it is only some rubber from his tyre left on the bumper. I should really have taken his details but am badly shaken and relieved that he was able to get up and walk away.
Despite this I am in time for my Academic Advice and Guidance session.
ED3022 in the evening and then home.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sixth day, Tuesday 19 October 2010
To UEL for 10 am Acreditation of Experiential Learning panel.
Had to make apologies for applications not adequately prepared for presentation.
Did a few admin tasks i.e. exchange register updated at home for field shared drive, copying for the ED1015 session at the Museum of London in Docklands.
Went home to do prepare for ED3022 Gender Security and Education For All on Wednesday but ended up spending most of the time looking up the best way to meet up with Amira so she could come to the
Museum with the class.
Niilante took me to Peckham to meet up with her and then dropped us off at Peckham station. We were about 15 minutes late in the end.
The train from Peckham to London Bridge took 15 minutes and we got to Canary Wharf about 5 minutes
past 4. The route is much quicker than going to Lewisham and the walk from Canary Wharf to the museum is visually interesting. Did not take any photos but I do want to take that route again to take photos.
Group left the museum at two minutes to when they shut at 6 pm. They were practically pushing us out. It will be interesting to get their response to worksheet questions and feedback next week.
From the Museum went with Amira to Canada Water from where she could get a train to Crystal Palace station and her hotel.
On to London Bridge for the AFFORD Board of trustee's meeting.
Coming out of the station at London heard the sound of voices in protest. Noticed police on street corners and then the small group of marching men (couldn't see any women and the voices were decidedly male. But they were flanked on all sides by police in high visibility jackets. Lots of people were taking photo, I didn't because I was running late for the meeting and I was uncomfortable with being a spectator of what seemed to be a somewhat pathetically vulnerable looking brave band of protest / resistance to funding cuts announced today.
AFFORD meeting was at AFFORDs offices in Elephant and Castle not Gibril's office at London Bridge Road! It was after 8 by the time I got there. The meeting ended something to ten. It was after 10 when I got home.
What a day!
Had to make apologies for applications not adequately prepared for presentation.
Did a few admin tasks i.e. exchange register updated at home for field shared drive, copying for the ED1015 session at the Museum of London in Docklands.
Went home to do prepare for ED3022 Gender Security and Education For All on Wednesday but ended up spending most of the time looking up the best way to meet up with Amira so she could come to the
Museum with the class.
Niilante took me to Peckham to meet up with her and then dropped us off at Peckham station. We were about 15 minutes late in the end.
The train from Peckham to London Bridge took 15 minutes and we got to Canary Wharf about 5 minutes
past 4. The route is much quicker than going to Lewisham and the walk from Canary Wharf to the museum is visually interesting. Did not take any photos but I do want to take that route again to take photos.
Group left the museum at two minutes to when they shut at 6 pm. They were practically pushing us out. It will be interesting to get their response to worksheet questions and feedback next week.
From the Museum went with Amira to Canada Water from where she could get a train to Crystal Palace station and her hotel.
On to London Bridge for the AFFORD Board of trustee's meeting.
Coming out of the station at London heard the sound of voices in protest. Noticed police on street corners and then the small group of marching men (couldn't see any women and the voices were decidedly male. But they were flanked on all sides by police in high visibility jackets. Lots of people were taking photo, I didn't because I was running late for the meeting and I was uncomfortable with being a spectator of what seemed to be a somewhat pathetically vulnerable looking brave band of protest / resistance to funding cuts announced today.
AFFORD meeting was at AFFORDs offices in Elephant and Castle not Gibril's office at London Bridge Road! It was after 8 by the time I got there. The meeting ended something to ten. It was after 10 when I got home.
What a day!
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