Week+1

Week one of our course was a little daunting!. The Issues lecture was our first lecture and not many of us knew what to expect from our course or what it will be like to be teachers. Once all the housekeeping (assessment, workshops etc) was taken over we were able to get onto the real stuff... What is an effective teacher!!. I loved the fact that we were able to get straight into the content of the course, which was exciting as I felt like I had been waiting for it all to begin for ages!!

My first impression of Greg as a lecturer was very positive. I feel he is a very approachable lecturer (which is very important to me), is confident in what he is teaching and has fantastic manner in presenting his information. He uses great examples that we can all relate to and that are entertaining at the same time.

After finally locating our workshop (I visited 2 incorrect rooms before Pete finally rescued me and approx 10 of my classmates... oops!) we were in our first class as Group N. After the important "get to know you's" Pete further introduced us to the course and I am very excited about the next year!! I hope it all goes well!!!

My favourite article this week was by Miller on Timeless learning. I think this is a great approach to a more holistic education. Timeless learning sticks and it makes a difference in our lives. Timeless learning is about being more in the moment and not constantly worrying about what still needs to be done and rushing through things. Timeless learning allows children to embody the knowledge and live what is learned. Miller discusses whatpositive attributes timeless learning can bring to the modern day classroom including students developing deep joy, wholeness and a sense of purpose. It often leads to reductions in stress and it helps students improve their attentiveness, alertness and memory. I strongly agree with Miller, J., when it is discussed how a great education would include both a dgree of timeless learning and time-bound learning.

After reading Julie White's reading on Arias of learning: creativity and performativity in Australian teacher education, I think it is very improtant to encourage a students creativity. White, J (2006) states that creativity involves supporting risk taking, daring and innovative thinking and I believe she was correct in saying in order to enhance and nurture creativity in students teachers should also have some experience of being creative themselves. White also goes onto to explore performance and its importance in learning and shows a great example in discussing how aboriginal elders taught the younger members of their tribe through song, dance and stories. Peta Haywood's article was also very insightful and she discusses in detail transformative learning and ways in which teachers can work for positive transformational learning. Haywood, P talks about transformation as being the change in not what is seen but in how things are seen. Haywood also discusses how education is about development through new experiences and reflection on these experiences. As teachers we will have countless opportunities to provide young minds with new opportunities and inturn help them transform from one level to the next- emerging and growing.

Emily Toomey March 4th, 2009