Topic 8 Exercise 8.2

The avalanche of applications self-interview

Try an interview with yourself like mine below to extract your own thoughts on the topic. Devise three (3) questions that interest you at this stage and reveal what is one your mind to yourself. Comment on the self-interview experience in your blog.

At this point in time, especially after my relaxing walk I ask myself the following questions:

Am I going to be able to use anything I have learnt during this course in the classroom?

The honest answer to that question at this point of time is no. Most of what I have learnt is at this stage no use to me because I am currently working in a small school where we don’t have access to computers very often. I do believe, however that in the future, that will change and my learning from this unit will be more useful. On the other hand, I have met some lovely people during this course and we have had the opportunity to share and discuss different websites that are useful in the classroom so not all is lost.

How am I going to cope with the workload from this unit and that of my full time teaching?

I am finding that the workload combined with the pressures of my work is getting a bit heavy at times. To be honest, I have been thinking whether or not it is worth continuing this unit considering I am under a lot of stress. (I am moving schools/towns/houses in the next few weeks as well). I have decided the best way to cope with it all is to take little steps, do a little bit each day and do my best. In many ways it is good being under this pressure as I have to utilise strategies to de stress myself. I am getting better at this.

What do I think of the tools for communication that has been introduced during this unit?

I think the hardest thing to keep up with is remembering all the user names and passwords! Can be a bit confusing at times. Some of the tools for communication that I have been introduced to I have really liked….in particular Webex as I see something like that working in a small isolated school like mine where specialist teachers are hard to find. I think the only downside of it is the cost of it… I wasn’t as impressed with Second life…..it took me ages to even get to sign in and when I finally got in I though “what the…” and had no idea what to do! It has been good though getting a feel for all the different types of communication available.