On the 19th January we had a really interesting but also daunting briefing from Lindsay. It focussed around observations (OB1 and OB2) forms and how these form an integral part of this unit.
Aside from the OB process feeling quite daunting, I felt a few other interesting and exciting things coming through from the session, which actually clearly are core parts of the PGCert Course itself. I will note these down below before getting onto what the Observations make me think on their own:
+ I am really delighted to be studying the PGCert because it has more than met my expectations, even this early on. It is a unique and powerful student experience, to be a student of staff of whom have so much knowledge about pedagogy in and of itself. For context, my first ever teaching session is tomorrow, so I am often both overwhelmed and in awe of how the PGCert teaching staff but also my fellow students/UAL Colleagues are able to share their experience and wealth of knowledge. My first teaching session will be an online seminar/workshop. This introduction to online study brings me on to my next point.
+ Growing up, I always knew that I liked the concept of teaching. Finishing my Masters in 2021 of course exposed me to online study and I have become accustomed to the ups and downs of online study and education. However, the PGCert has shown me already, that despite being an avid follower of tech and enthusiast in all things early-adoption – the fusion of online learning platforms and their integration to teaching is not something I felt I could predict. I have also been closely monitoring my own reaction to the teaching strategies used in BB Collaborate; the use of whiteboards, breakout groups, temperature checks etc. These often feel quite alien and odd, and I can’t quite tell if that is because they are novel to me, or that is inherent to these features as a whole. These feeling of novelty leads into my next observation of the course so far.
+ I am really intrigued by the cross-programme sessions so far. My initial experience was definitely a feeling of being slightly out of my depth as we were discussing research, of which I didn’t feel I had any experience of so far. However, I will discuss this session in a different blog-post. It is a wonderful idea to see what the MA Academic Practice are studying, and also to meet them. I am amazed at the insights I am getting into other colleagues lives at UAL, and I have learnt that even people in similar roles can have vastly different day-to-day experiences.
+ I will conclude these reflections by circling back to the topic of the observations. I am both overwhelmed and excited at the prospect of the studying the PGCert and I hope that by throwing myself at every aspect involved I grow the confidence I need to do the best I can on the course. I would love to feel that I have the confidence to study the MA in Academic Practice one day.