This session felt like more of a round up of everything, making sure we all knew what we needed to do for final submission and helping us get our heads around workflow. These sessions are SO important. We have ‘make the grade’ sessions with our students where I show examples of past work under each of the criteria they need to hand in so they are fully aware and can ask any questions if they are unsure. It curbs the 100s of emails a few days before hand in where students are panicking. I came to the session worried about the presentation, unable to use workflow, unsure what to write for my three essays and all worries and questions were dispelled and answered in this session. I came away with a workflow page, an idea for my presentation and felt able to write my three essays.
Iestyn also did the ‘speed dating’ exercise with us. This is something he recommended my students to do and I did not exercise my class as well as he did. The google timer was a great tool to use, I used my phone and it distracted me from listening to what the students were saying. He made us just switch partners as we wished, I made students stand in a line and got them to rotate. My way felt stiffer and the students felt insecure about talking, Iestyns ‘cocktail party’ manner was much less formal and more relaxed which is a much better option. I will be taking on these small changes into next year with my students.
Iestyn also had on a flipboard a timed plan of the whole session which allowed us to see what was coming up, again something I will take on board as students who sometimes work quicker or have to leave earlier from class can refer to the plan without having to ask lots of questions.
We did an ‘information exchange’ task from our electives. I haven’t done an elective but picked an article to discuss. Again, BRILLIANT idea! This is something I could get my students to do with their project ideas so they aren’t just waiting their turn to discuss their projects. Also by asking us to write down some questions prior to class it helped the groups instigate discussion.