Sorry about the lack of posts but its the busy end of the season and I’ve been doing a lot of online tuition through Exam Village and Skype. Best of luck to everyone for the remainder of the exams, especially any of my Business students this afternoon. I’ll be travelling Europe for a month and leave on Tuesday so I’ll post personal updates here as I go along my travels. With the applications I have submitted for next term there is a chance I’ll have to fly back at some stage for an interview. Lets hope if I do its worth it!

I’ve tried to defend her action to friends for discussion purposes but I struggle badly. I can see the need to encourage students to maintain an honours subject as long as possible. It stretches a students ability and ultimately helps if/when the inevitable drop in paper occurs. If we also reduce the dependency on honours Maths as a college level course requirement better suited, albeit not better educated students gain college places that would otherwise go to students who have selected these  because ‘they got the points’.

However I can’t help but feel it is a step backwards. As George Hook said we have become a nation that constantly looks for the safety net instead of pushing ourselves to be the best we can be. Leaving aside the fact our CAO system is flawed (a later blog to arrive on this I promise), we are saying to students that if you can’t meet the requirements to get into this course, we’ll see what we can do for you. Where does this stop? Will 2012 students be told to forget about Irish and who knows, 2014 ignoring English since we all have spellcheck now anyway? (ironically mine has just frozen as I write this!!)

The minister needs not to look at the colleges but at teachers. Primary school and secondary Maths teachers should shoulder a greater responsibility for the poor condition of a students maths ability. I watched a great documentary on UK primary school teachers struggles with teaching math, some of whom failed tests aimed at 5th and 6th year primary students. Out of the 150 teachers who sat the test only one achieved full marks and regrettably I imagine this is replicated in Irish schools.

The college system is not to blame. They set a target and targets are good. We as teachers need to do more to guide our students through their difficult subjects and push them to achieve greater goals. Save your ink Minister and begin work here.

So how was the experience? Firstly, the reminder was never sent to my computer telling me I had a class on. There was a slight delay in the microphone and the screen froze on occasions. Park them aside, it was great. I uploaded my notes which we were both able to review and go through. The student was interactive and responsive to my questions. We were delayed starting but I feel we both left with great optimism that we can meet in Exam Village and make progress quickly. There are many features it provides which will take time to learn (hopefully through free training sessions) which should make for a greater user experience. So for now its a thumbs up on the start Exam Village has made. I know the guys are trying hard to bring users up to speed. No doubt that once they begin to build the student user base, teachers and the department will soon follow.

Just back from a week in Kerry. Amazing county, with great sights. Back in college teaching today. A lot has happened during the week, most notably the teaching conferences and Mary Coughlans first exposure to her new role. I’ll be touching on that, the developments with Exam Village online tutorials and questioning whether certain secondary teachers should require industry experience before being allowed in a classroom.

The opinions of the teachers and friends I have spoken to is unanimous. They don’t like it. And I agree. I like the concept but I don’t think it’ll ever work. If I had a chance to nominate a teacher I liked based on my first lesson in school I would never of had an education. My best teacher was the one I hated the most…..initially. Ms Ford was an Irish teacher who saw right through me. Before answering any question she would stop and remind me to engage my brains gear before starting to rev its engine. We would fight, she would win but I would learn. Had I an option of walking away or picking someone else I would have done it. But I wouldn’t have learnt anything and I fear this is what would happen if this process moved into the Irish system. Good teachers will miss out to the ones who to end a lesson with a mini mars bar for everyone. Students will gain a notion of power they haven’t earned.

Input, let’s get it. How? Students submit their set questions for all teachers which when answered is relayed back to the pupils for feedback.  Students in an interview room…forget it!

I think it’s a disgrace that secondary schools continue the buddy practice system with an abundance of qualified teachers looking for any type of work. What makes matters worse is these positions are filled with people who are not even qualified to teach! Yes it may be easier but so is cheating in exams or robbing money from a colleagues bag which is what the education system is doing to the NQT’s in Ireland. Cheating us out of positions and robbing us of a career in teaching.

1. West Wing- Economics
2. Location Location Location- Buying and selling a home, negotiating etc.
3. Dragons Den- Business and investment
4. News- current events, politics
5. Questions and Answers- politics
6. Brainiac- Science & Technology
7. Judge Judy- Law

Some of these may be stretching a bit but I firmly believe you could watch an episode of one of these and discuss the issues raised to make an interesting class. It would certainly make for an easier homework assignment. More suggestions welcome!