Discussion 1:Miss Trunchbull

Credentials, knowledge, critical thinking, and all other faculties of intelligence are important. However, a great teacher should be much more than credentials, experience and intelligence. In this discussion I will be comparing what I am being taught about being a caring, responsible, critically reflective and accountable teacher who should support learning in diverse educational contexts to the aggressive displays by Ms Trunchbull.

Miss Trunchball is described as the meanest headmistress to ever run an elementary school, who is hard and cruel. She believes that adults are always right and children are always wrong. She hates children to the extent she says to her an idea of a perfect school is that in which there are no children at all. She says small children are disgusting and compares them to insects.

A caring teacher is one who actively listen to students. A teacher who actively listens to students is listening for the meaning behind what students are saying, then checks in with them to make sure they’ve understood properly. This affirms students’ dignity and helps develop a trusting relationship between teachers and students. Miss Trunchbull does not give her learners the time of day. She does not allow them to express themselves, and they only have to listen to her.

As teachers we are accountable to the parents regarding the safety and wellbeing of their children. Miss Truchbull puts the wellbeing of the children at her school at risk. She does many things which put the children at risk:

•        She threw a girl over the fence and into a neighboring field
•         She made a boy who had stolen her chocolate cake eat a very large chocolate cake in one sitting in front of the whole school
•          She threw Matilda in the chockey
•          She locked Matilda into the chokey
•          She threw a boy out of the window of a class

All the incidents mentioned above could have been detrimental to the health of the learners and she would have to answer to their parents.

Miss Trunchbull does not support learning in diverse learning contexts. When she was visiting Miss Honey’s class she did not approve of the innovative way of teaching learners how to spell using a little spelling song. She forbids Miss Honey from using the same teaching method again. This means that she prefers teachers to use traditional teaching methods even if they do not suit the needs of the learners.

I think Miss Trunchbull is a perfect example to us as young aspiring teachers of what we should not be. We should aspire to be what we are taught here at school so that we can be able to bring out the best I the learners we are going to teach and make them the best they can be.

References

http://www.writeups.org/trunchbull-matilda-pam-ferris/

The unmentioned might of a woman

 

A woman is a person with many talents and areas of knowledge.  Women face many challenges daily: They are raped by their fathers, beaten by their husbands and killed by those they trust. More often than once, women are ridiculed and judged, not only by men but also by other women. This knocks the women down and some never get back up, but it takes a real woman to get back up and press on. The wise say, “You may throw a woman into the wolves but she will come back leading the pack”. 

The point of view from which the article was written is that of a man who has come to realize the power of a woman “You have strangely emerged with a purpose in my life”. In the third paragraph he says he sometimes would look at her and see a thorn in his side – a pest who never stopped provoking or infuriating his inner being with her endless questions and tiresome, meaningless conversations. He highlights that he would be annoyed when the woman in question would challenge him intellectually during what he then thought were meaningless conversations.  The man praises the woman for the impact she has had in his life and making him the man he is today. This shows us that women have the power to change anything or anyone for that matter, as long as they have their minds and hearts set out on it. That on its own is the unmentioned might of a woman.

The value of support is reflected in the article. The woman in question supports her man and stands behind him. She does not try to over shine him. This does not mean that she cannot stand on her own and do her own things, but she understands that there is power in unity and in stability from a partnership incorporating the presence of a man as a formidable tank and a strong woman as the silent operator who is never seen yet has the greatest influence. The woman is his number one supporter and hides his insecurities from the world. She stands behind him and helps him make even the simplest of choices. She makes him feel courageous and like he can do anything and gives him strength and courage to take on the world by encouraging him and complimenting him. This does not mean that she mothers him, but she is his cheerleader. Another value reflected is perseverance. “You pestered me to eventually do as you wish without me even knowing it”. The woman did not stop working on her man, she continued pruning him and moulding him until he became what she had always wanted him to be.

I agree with the writer’s portrayal of men in the article. Men usually have a hard time expressing their feelings and keep things inside. This may be because some of them were raised to believe that “real men never reveal their emotions” They do not want to seem emasculated or weak. According to Relationship Abode, men take much longer than women to get in touch with their emotions. That is why a woman is often ready to go say how they feel whilst man may take longer. Women should not push them and force them, but should rather give them time and exercise patience.

I find the writer’s style effective. He writes the article as if he is telling a story. This kept me glued to my screen wanting to read more and find out “how it all unfolds”. The opening line made me want to find out what it is that whoever the writer is writing about does that the writer sees as endeavors to hinder his success. It also arouses the question what happened that changed the writer’s perception about whoever they are writing about.

 To all women out there: You are strong, you are courageous. There is only one you and you can do achieve anything you set your heart to achieve. Do not allow them to burn out you fire. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from and how you can still come out of it”, Maya Angelou. You strike a woman, you strike a rock. That is the unmentioned might of a woman.

 

References:

https://relationshipabode.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/why-men-hide-their-feelings/

 

 

Weblogs as an emerging genre in higher education

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a blog is a website where a person writes regularly about recent events or topics that interest them, usually with photos and links to other websites that they find interesting. Blogging assists students to become more ICT literate, which is a crucial 21^st century skill. The first blog, “Links.net”, was created in 1994 by college student Justing Hall.

Weblogs helps students to be able to discuss matters and reflect on matters which affect them daily on a bigger platform. They are able to engage with each other and the community at large to discuss these issues, which may be affecting them personally or those around them. They can find different points of views and be able to make informed conclusions.

Plagiarism has always been a major problem in higher education. Weblogs have helped as people have access to hyperlinks and sources of information, so they are able to identify students who steal other people’s intellectual property as there are broader community-based perspectives on intellectual production. Online tools have been developed to detect plagiarism, and this is very helpful to lecturers as there are able to monitor the use of other people’s intellectual property. Students are therefore encouraged to do research and then write using their own perspective as they fear being caught.

Weblogs also gives students an opportunity to access information which they previously did not have access to. They can follow field experts who have thorough research on certain subjects. Students are given a variety, meaning they are able to choose which weblogs to follow, or compare and contrast the view expressed by various bloggers on the certain subjects. This allows students the opportunity to analyse different points of view.

Before I came to university, I had never heard of weblogs. I was introduced to weblogs by my Teaching Studies lecturer who explained to us that blogging is a good way to engage with scholars, researchers or even other future teachers like me on issues affecting children and the teaching profession in general. I have also come to the realization that submitting assignments through blogs is cheap and convenient. It is cheaper in the sense that I don’t have to pay for printing papers, and convenient as I can submit anywhere even in the comfort of my room.

I use blogging mainly for two reasons. Firstly, I use it to find the methods used by other foundation phase teachers in their classrooms. This is very important for me as a beginner teacher as I am able to learn from people who have been in the field for a very long time. I am able to write my own opinion on teaching pedagogy, and receive construction criticism. I am also able to ask experts questions for clarity where I don’t understand. Secondly, I use blogging as a personal tool for finding the latest fashion news. As a fully figured young lady, I am able to follow bloggers who help me with outfit choices and identifying which clothes are suitable for my body type.

To improve the effective use of blogs to make them a meaningful learning tool for students, assignments or any other form of assessments should be made electronical. Blog platforms allow for inclusion and display of multimedia, which may offer an advantage when submitting. Students will be able to include videos and clear pictures when submitting assignments, and this will help them support their points.

There could also be a blog for each module which could give students the opportunity to discuss content which was not discussed in class. Students would also be able to ask questions which they were not able to ask in class as some students are not confidence about speaking around big groups. There could also be weekly articles published by the lecturers, where students would be required to respond to as part of assessment. The articles would be a foundation for discussions, allowing students to question the articles and criticize them.

Weblogs convey more authentic opinions of developers as they don’t rely on mass audience or commercial attention. They are a hub for people to share their thoughts. Blogging provides students with an authentic learning opportunity and exposes them to a wider audience.

References

http://ii.library.jhu.edu/2013/11/27/using-blogging-as-a-learning-tool/

ICT Barriers in South African Education

We live the twenty-first century, where technology is the order of the day. ICT is defined as a global network in which ideas are exchanged, or information and knowledge is shared using communication like radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on.

Challenges in Education

-there are not enough teachers who are able to teach ICT related subjects like CAT in schools

-some staff members may not react well to the idea of using ICT in schools

-it is expensive to buy the hardware and software required for setting up MIS, and will require the training on the existing staff and recruitment of new staff who will be able to use the MIS.

-Information Technology (IT) based Management Information Systems (MIS) are expensive to set up.

-Crime: Computers are mostly stolen by community members from those school which have them.

-Lack of technological resources

My own experiences

Out of the years I spent in school, I was only exposed to technology during the first 7 years. During my primary school years, we were taught about the basics of computers like how to use Microsoft and Excel. We would also play puzzle games on the computers.

When I reached Secondary school, the school did have computers but we did not have teachers who were qualified to teach us computers. Lack of computer literate teachers is a very serious problem in my community. The schools are given computers by Telkom as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, but teachers are not trained. Computer rooms are then used as classroom due to the high number of learners in schools with inadequate infrastructure. I did Business Studies as a subject and we were taught about types of communication, and that is where I first heard about emails, blogs and other forms of technological, but I still did not have access to them. It was only I reached tertiary level where I learnt more about computers and became able to use computers well, although I still face minor challenges.

The state, public entities and communities must all work together to reduce these barriers. Teachers must also be willing and ready to be trained so that they will be able to teach their learners computer skills.The state can probably make it a requirement for teachers to have computer certificates when hiring them. Also,the companies who give computers to schools should also ensure that they also provide training assistance to the schools to ensure that their investments are used efficiently. As an emerging teacher, it is my responsibility to learn all the skills I need so that I may be able to convey them to my learners

My final school year at Dlomodlomo Secondary School, Mpumalanga Province.

My name is Baby Thembekile Ncongwane. Many people do not believe that Baby is my real name, but I just show them my Identity Document to prove it. I was born on the 14^th of January 1997. I come from a small village called Elulwatini, Mpumalanga.  I completed my matric in 2014. I am beautiful, thick, curvy-practically what you can refer to as a real African woman. I come from a single-parent home, which consists of my mother, brother and I. We are not a “rich’ family, but my mother tries her best to provide for our basic needs, and sometimes also caters for our wants.

Nhlazatje is what we can refer to as a developing town. It has all the commercial banks, major supermarkets and some of the best clothing stores the country has to offer.You can also find the important state department offices like the Department of Home Affairs, Traffic Department and the South African Police Services.

Dlomodlomo Secondary School is a Secondary School which used to specialise in ordinary learning, but is now being changed to a Science School meaning it will only offer Mathematic, Accounting and all other Science subjects such as Physical Sciences and Life Sciences. I personally think Economics should also be included as it is a social science used to study how people use the limited resources allocated to them to meet their basic needs. The school is based in Elukwatini, Mpumalanga. The school was named after a mountain called Dlomodlomo, which is situated in a surrounding area. It caters for over a thousand students, mostly coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is a no-fee public school, with students only paying a small amount for the cleaning services.

                               Arial view of the school                  

                            The school logo is drawn at the gate to welcome visitors

Below is the location of my school on Google maps.You can use the link to access it:

https://www.google.co.za/maps/place/Dlomodlomo+Secondary+School/@-26.0357179,30.7645919,14.5z/data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x1ee91b6db73a2773:0x24b50ab01ae08bb2!4b1?hl=en&hl=en

                                

                

 The school is one of the top performing schools in the province, and was honoured with a visit by the MEC of Basic Education in Mpumalanga, Miss Reginah Mhaule .The Principal is Mr Mabika M.E.  There are over 30 teachers in the school.

Below is a picture of President Baby Ncongwane signing The Good Conduct Pledge during the MEC’s visit to the school

I was a Commercial student, majoring in Accounting, Economics and Business Studies. I did very well in my studies, but I’m pretty sure I gave my teachers a run for their money. As school president, I was expected to lead by example and show my fellow students the light, but I think all I did was lead them astray. The problem is I had big shoes to fill, following the leadership of President Mvikeli, who was very passionate about leadership and is in fact now a member of the Student Representative Council of the University of Mpumalanga. The school principal, School Governing Body and teachers all had faith in my leadership, but I let them down. I do not, however, regret any of the decisions I made as they have shaped me into the young woman I am today.

As I have mentioned above, I really had a wonderful time in matric. Our class was relatively small, with only sixteen students. I had two wonderful friends, named Thandeka Sibeko and Noxolo Simelane. Thandeka is a chubby girl and is a very good singer, and we really enjoyed singing out loud during free periods and annoying our fellow classmates.  Noxolo is a very beautiful girl who did not take any nonsense from anyone. She was short, but would give everyone a piece of her mind, regardless of their physical appearance. We called ourselves BigNuz because we had two thick ladies and one thin one, just like in the group BigNuz. We gossiped a lot, and most of the girls in our class hated us because we had it all: Beauty and Brains. We also did everything teenage girls do, including dating and dodging classes. We’d always pretend that one of us was sick and only the other two were the only ones who would be able to assist her during maths periods. We would then go out of class and sit behind the classes in the sun and chat until the period was over. We were very lucky to do well in the subject.

My least favourite subject was SiSwati Home Language. I think it was the fact that I had to be taught something I am very fluent in and speak every day that made me disinterested in the subject. I was in love with English First Additional Language. I am not sure if this “love” was because we had a very good teacher or if I was fascinated by learning a second language and being able to engage in it as if it was my own.

My favourite subject was Accounting. We had the best teacher. We would sometimes complain about the morning and evening classes and he would just answer by saying “If complaining was a subject, most of you would get distinctions” He tried his best to ensure that we got the best results at the end of the year.

Teachers in my school used the old method of teaching. No technology was used. We only relied on textbook and printouts.

My friends and I were very famous for taking pictures. We were always camera ready.