My Little 2.0 Project

So far every post I have shared has been fairly positive. This kind of gives a false impression because there were many struggles, especially in Autumn 21.

Firstly teaching 3 different exam qualifications. I had two adult Functional Skills groups, 4 GCSE AQA groups and 4 GCSE Pearson groups. On more than occasion did I pull the wrong PowerPoint up, only realising as we began the starter activity, that I was about to teach the wrong lesson.

I found my less able groups were weaker than I had expected. One group in particular, the majority came in with teacher assessed Grade 2. They could barely formulate a sentence. They could find a quote but not verbally explain why they chose that word, let alone write diwn their reasons. I made completely new lessons for this group and it took a while to get the level right. I simplified the lesson, then found I had to break it down even further.

Many students in this group used avoidance and poor behaviour to mask their struggles. They had learnt in school if they acted poorly, they would be sent out the room and they would not have to do the lesson. It became very apparent that this was what they were trying. I got their course manager involved and all were told leaving the lesson was not an option, neither was poor behaviour. Reluctantly, they came around. I learnt to pick my battles and they learnt to compromise.

They would become one of my most memorable groups. I have a bank of tactics to use and until recently, avoided sending students out.

I’m curious to know if anyone else has found that this year, (23/24) FE students generally seem to have upped their game more than ever? Maybe this is the beginning of a completely separate post. The question is, do I want to open that can worms?