Curiouser and curiouser...(campus session)

In Alice in Wonderland, Alice says the famous words, "curiouser and curiouser." Well this is definitely how I have felt during my time so far studying module one. My curiosity has helped me dive a bit deeper and encouraged me to discover areas that I hadn't yet uncovered or so I thought...

Yesterday I plucked up the courage to attend a BAPP campus session. I must say after the 2-hour conversation about our maps and practices I came out feeling rather embarrassed and as if everything I said was inadequate or wrong. No one likes being put on the spot, especially if you suffer from anxiety. I found myself in an awkward situation where I couldn't seem to get my answers out clearly and my brain stopped working as the environment we were working in was completely different to what I am used to. It is always good to step out of your comfort zone and to experience new situations, environments and people...however, I'm not sure if the campus session worked for me personally. I most definitely forgot 'how to speak good English', well at least I'm on the same page as Alice, thank you Lewis Caroll.

I did get to meet two other people on the course and it was nice to get some feedback from them and to see where they were at in their studies. Someone asked a very good question that made me think about the grey areas in my map. I believe she said, 'where are the empty spaces in your map?'...well from the conversation I had yesterday with everyone I feel now that there are more empty spaces in mine than I thought! 

For example:

Thailand - I worked abroad for six years and was asked how this has changed my practice. In my mind I didn't think it would change it much as I would have taught with the same techniques and practices that I had learnt from university. What I failed to mention yesterday (because it all got too much for my brain) was that I have learnt how to apply the constructivist method in my classroom and I wouldn't have necessarily learnt that method if I had just been a teacher in the UK. Also, communication skills come into play as there are language barriers to overcome and cultural sensitivity is important in a role at an international school. All of these things have helped shape me as a teacher. Without my experience in Thailand I wouldn't have inherited certain techniques, methods and morals. 

Adesola said that literature is linking your map to others maps and asked what literature we would use. I replied with reading up on learning journals and looking back on my own reflective journals to revisit my work in Thailand. Other books I have been reading include: Walking in this world by Julia Cameron, Out of Our Minds by Ken Robinson, Theatre and Ethics by Nicholas Ridout, Learning Journals by Jennifer Moon and Adesola gave us a book which I'm looking forward to reading called Educating the Reflective Practitioner by Donald A. Schon.

So, what will I be doing with my time until our deadline on the 16th March?
I will be filling in those gaps, making sure I have referred to lots of different types of literature, adding in my heritage, making sure my diagram is presentable and not all over the floor! And finally, believing in myself and trusting in my thoughts, ideas and principles. 

Final note: As much as libraries are fantastic, if you would like to buy some books to make notes in I use a website called:

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb?keyword=worldofbooks&gclid=CjwKCAiA44LzBRB-EiwA-jJipKSzm_8-hBVypePaOH3H9aMMYB2fgqNM8n2iO7fGUmviiBtLpSgOnRoCVtQQAvD_BwE 

I managed to get five of the books on the reading list for only £20. They don't always come looking brand new but most of mine arrived looking untouched.