DELTA blues...

So here I am with my DELTA blues... only 6 or so weeks to go and I have a block that I can't seem to shake off. I need to write around 22,500 words in 12 days and I can't find the motivation I need to get on with it. Timing is very important in module 2 due to the fact that we have to teach two observed lessons before we can write the second part of our R & A assignment (Reflection & Action) so even though that feels like an easier job to be getting on with, I can't as I haven't been observed for the second time :( Despite promising myself that I will get work done, I get home and feel shattered. A slightly comforting thought however, is that I know I am not the only one. I talk to friends from the same group and they are suffering from the blues, too. It must be a mid-DELTA life crisis! Module two keeps you on your toes and makes you question each move you make and every word that you write. I looked at my feedback for my previous background assignment and decided to pinpoint all my weaknesses so I wouldn't make the same mistakes in this assignment. So, I do have an action plan. I know what I need to change which is a positive thing although not having the motivation, nope wrong word, the energy to write it up is the problem. I want to pass this so bad and want to be a better teacher. Advice for module two students; don't stress out about it. I stressed myself out for two days and felt sick to the stomach and so naturally couldn't face up to what I need to know and the second piece of advice would be to keep a blog, I feel like I might be able to close this blog and start correcting my assignment :) So, why am I here writing about doing something instead of just getting on and doing it? Good question! Answers on a postcard please!

Samsung tablets in the classroom

In my place of work, we have all been given Samsung tablets (10.1) to use in the classroom. The children that the tablets are being piloted on are around 10-11 years old and are, of course, in love with technology, as am I. Advantages of the tablet; -we have an excellent system called Smart School on the tablet. This has been designed for Samsung only as far as I am aware and enables the teacher to prepare a lesson for the students to join into. Once all the students are in, you can see all of their 'boards' on the tablet and everything that they are doing, such as writing or doodling. It also lets you connect to a system called all share cast which connects your tablet to the smart board so all of the students can see whatever is on there. So far for English lessons, we have only really used it for vocabulary lessons and are still exploring other ways we can use it for teaching. You can disable interaction for one, some or all of the student's boards and it also hs a lockdown system where the students boards are paused and a sign comes up saying "Be quiet please!" or any other message you type into it. Great for off-task students. Disadvantages Being a piece of technology, it can be temperamental. If the internet goes off for even a split second, it stops the lesson, kicks you and all of the students out of the lesson and you're left with a class full of bewildered, confused students who hit the roof. Also, the students have found ways to disable school screen mode (when they join the student network at school, it only allows them access to whatever the school chooses and their normal screen disappears, stopping them from playing on facebook and playing games). I think these are minor hitches that are more to do with the internet server at work and they are looking into them as I write. Overall outcome This needs "to be continued" as I am curious about how it will play out in the long run. Will the students get tired of this expensive piece of technology? Will we? Will they hack the system no matter what and be able to get out of school screen mode? And will we find a decent course book that we can use on this £450 tablet? ....