[ahoney]

I hope that Racheal doesn't mind but I thought that I would jump on her bandwagon and continue the thread of PGCE Trainees. A few weeks ago I introduced myself on this website, by telling you all that I was beginning my PGCE Secondary History at the University of Chichester. Well, I have started (registered on Monday) and I thought it would be a great idea if like Rachael and her colleagues last year, we had somewhere to come and discuss what we have learnt, and our problems and concerns. I have already informed the History class of the wonderful benefits of this site and also this forum and hopefully other trainees will participate also. So come along new trainees let yourself be heard...

[ahoney]

Hi All

I must admit I was quite disappointed that at this moment in time, there doesn't appear to be any new trainees or responses to my new post for PGCE Trainees for this year. However, I am not put off and have decided to continue this thread in the hope that someone may respond!! I hope that this will be okay, because I also feel it would be a great exercise to practice my reflective teaching skills.

Well, week one has finished and what can I say? What a rollercoaster!! In fact it has been a fantastic week. Day 1 and 2 were days of administration and getting to know the course, but Day 3 was when I really began to enjoy the course. The reason is, that we have had 3 days of History subject study. During this time we were put into groups to give a presentation on a subject that we had put down in our audit that we were not too confident about. My subject, was about the Black peoples of America. I found this quite difficult at first, because how do you summarise such a wealth of information with 4 of other people in 5 minutes?However, I believe we achieved our objective and it really was a fantastic exercise not only in learning new subject knowledge, but also in getting to know our colleagues and team dynamics!

We have also looked at the National curriculum and how we would use this within our lesson planning. To be honest, I think since I have started this course that I have realised that teachers are desperately undervalued! It would seem that alot of time and effort is put into every single day of our working lives. However, I am not put off! In fact, when asked by our lecturer what positive things we had achieved by the end of the week. I told her tht I felt very excited about the prospect of entering the teaching profession. I believe that alot of this will be down to the fact that she (our lecturer) is an inspiring and motivational person. She really knows how to put things into layman terms (which is fantastic for me), and if I can be half the teacher she is then I will be very happy.

We have also covered many other aspects, but I will be hogging to much space and time. So I will finish now and I hope that somewhere along this journey others may walk alongside me. Either with their own experiences or ideas, so until next time. Thank you for listening.

[Carole Faithorn]

Just a quick word from someone completely at the other end of the scale, ahoney, (I'm retired) to say that your contributions here are most welcome and that I am sure others on PGCE courses will join you before too long.

Good luck with the course and do carry on 'reflecting as you go'.

[JaneMoore]

I agree with Carole - keep going - others will join you soon. Remember - not all students are as far forward as you ahoney - some are just starting their courses this and next week.

I am into my second year as a mentor, and one of the first things I will do when I meet my new trainee is to refer them to this site and this thread in particular.

[DaveStacey]

Very true. I didn't find the site until towards the end of my PGCE and it took me until the last few weeks before I started posting on the forum. I also know of quite a few people who will come and read posts but rarely/never post anything. Don't let this disillusion you!

Good luck with your year - and don't worry, others will join you soon!

[ahoney]

Well, what can? I have experienced a few wobbly moments over the past two days!! Monday we were asked in our PVP lecture to do a presentation with our subject colleagues. That I didnt have a problem with, but when we came to present it on the tuesday morning after 5 hours of preparation (just learning about power point) our lecturer made it very clear that it was all over running and our presentation (we were the last group) would be running into everybody's break time so it was not presented as well as it could have been. I know that people may look at this and think well that happens, but after all the effort that went into it, it was really soul destroying. I also feel that alot that happens within the PVP is not necessary or just plain common sense and I find that quite frustrating at times. I appreciate that we all have to go through these things to qualify, but sometimes it seems so difficult and it is only my second week!!

I also failed my numeracy test today so feel bad about that. However, on the positive side I gave my first power point starter, this morning within my subject group on Chronology and I think I did ok, I certainly enjoyed doing it. I was a bit apprehensive at first but once I was started my nerves disappeared, I also received alot of positive feedback so that was really motivating. So I suppose on reflection things aren't all doom and gloom, just feels that sometimes I am being consumed whole, by the amount of work we have to do!! Anyway I have highlighted to all my class the benefits of this site and this forum, so hopefully they will be posting soon. Perhaps not so bad after all!

[Anne Piper]

Don't get downhearted - PGCE is in many ways about jumping through hoops. Much of what I did at uni is simply not relevant in school.

As for the numeracy test - I think you can take it as many times as you need to, and to be honest, in the past 2 years I have never had to calculate the total cost of 34 text books at £12.99 each, where the first 12 get a 10% discount in my head!

[ahoney]

I would like to thank Anne for her comments and in fact I was telling my colleagues about what you had posted. I think one of the biggest problems when you start a PGCE is that it is such a wealth of information to take in initially and many feel that if they show signs of strain that it may be perceived as being weak and unable to cope with actually being a teacher. However, what you said Anne was right and reassuring, it is a procedure that we must go through (like most things in life) to achieve our goal.

I have to say that I felt more positive about it all today and I am really looking forward to our night out tomorrow (Subject group) and starting at my placement on Monday.
Thank you once again for your input it was most welcome and needed!

[ahoney]

Hi all

I just thought that I would give you all an update. Yesterday, I started at my first placement and the day was spent getting to know the department, staff, pupils and resources. I met my mentor and I believe that I am very fortunate as he has been mentoring PGCE students for some time and the other bonus is that he is really very nice. The day was not as structured as I would have liked but I suppose this is often the case when you first start. I am also very fortunate as it seems (from the children that I observed) that the children really love history and want to learn (extra bonus!!). Obviously you have the usual suspects that want to go through the lesson doing as least as possible, but overall it looks like I will get the opportuntiy to learn how to teach, rather than just learning how to manage a class!(which has been previous experience)

Today was spent observing different lessons, with different teachers and I really enjoyed that. I also got the opportunity to introduce myself to the classes (which caused a bit of laugh - being Mrs Honeybun!!) and in one case quite sternly!! However, I am really looking forward to planning lessons and teaching and I feel very confident as I have a great support system around me that want to help me achieve my objective

[ahoney]

Week 3 complete and today will be spent getting my teaching file together! I cant believe the amount of paperwork there is (preparation for the teaching world, I presume). This week has not been unlike the last two weeks, however I am alot more accomodating of it all. I still have mild panic attacks, every now and then and wonder if I will cut the mustard! (is that a phrase?) The School placement is really good, but then its appears that we have all been fortunate with our placements (unless colleagues on my course do not feel confident enough to say that its not!) Although, unfortunately, we have lost one of our colleagues from the course. It was strange really, because when he did not turn up for Uni on Thursday I had an idea it might be because he had left, but I really hoped it was because he was unwell (another realisation I suppose that us PGCEr's are not infalliable and can fail this course) But he really was a really lovely bloke and he has his reasons and it would be better to respect his decisions, although he will be missed. I met with a friend of mine after Uni on Thursday and told her that this person had left and she told me (she had been on the course 2 years ago) that it was quite common to lose people at this stage, particularly when they go on school placement and realise that it is not for them. She also said that it is quite common around xmas when the pressure steps up with essays etc! I just hope that I can keep on top it all!

Friday was spent at Uni with our subject tutor and the other members of our course. We had to give a presentation on either Significance (the forgotten key element) or interpretation. The group I was in looked at Significance and I really enjoyed it. However, I do have to say that it really is hard work sometimes, by that I mean trying to incorporate everybodies input (for fear of not upsetting anyone). It does feel at times that we are all treading on egg shells. As historians we all love a good debate but I am of the belief that we are all entitled to an opinion and respect that (as long as they can back it up) Yet, some feel if you say something that is not particularly PC you are in fact a rebel and a revolutionist!! Sorry rambling again!!

I am looking forward to going back to school tomorrow, because I will find out my timetable and hopefully the loose strings of last week, will start to come together (Why do I crave structure!!)

[Anne Piper]

Well done for getting through the first 3 weeks! It is a litte disconcerting to lose a colleague so early in the course; 2 from my group went at Easter; they only had 6 weeks left!

PGCE is the time for experimenting and making mistakes (providing you learn from them!) so have fun and try not to get too bogged down with it all. There is a temptation to stick too rigidly to lesson plan timings so build in some flexibilty, this will make it easier when you come to review your lesson.

Have fun

[Rachel Co]

Hi all. I've just had my membership activated so can at last reply. I started my pgce at durham on 19th September and have just finished my first 3 days of serial visits before my first teaching practise starts on the 7th November. I spent the past 3 days just observing the various members of the department and working out where everything is. I have taught one lesson on 'what made rome grow?' I was shaking like a leaf but not sure if the little year 7s realised how nervous i was. I am looking forward to this year but am worried about how much hard work its going to be etc

[AdamCrawte]

I remember being asked to to the register on my first day in one class I was observing and then having to scamper to the back of the class to observe the rest of the lesson! I was so gald as it was my first bit of "teaching" over and done with and got any nerves out of the way early on

[Rachel Co]

I work on the philsophy that nerves are good but that i must keep them under control! and not get too worried

[Elle]

Don't worry!

The first time I had to teach a lesson I was so scared I was literally shaking with nerves, I couldn't read my lesson plan due to my hands shaking so much! It does get easier.