Blog 1 by Albany Ward https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v Describe, analyse and reflect on your teaching and learning environment and the student/learners that you teach or support en-us 2017-10-20 15:21:59 UTC 2017-11-08 09:41:14 UTC hello@padlet.com The Context albany_mcwilliam https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199101521 I am a lecturer in Food Manufacturing. This covers a variety of subjects including food safety (including microbiology), HACCP, auditing, personal development and quality. Having worked in the food industry for 10 years I am new to teaching and have very limited experience.
The students are from the food industry either on an apprenticeship or attending a short course. Apprentices are working towards a range of qualifications. As they are sponsored by their employer it is a three way relationship between the university, the student and the employer. 
Students are typically aged 18-45, although we do sometimes have students as young as 16. They can be straight from school or have spent a number of years in industry. Mix of backgrounds, for a number of students English is not their first language.
]]> 2017-10-20 15:25:47 UTC https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199101521 Teaching Methods albany_mcwilliam https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199102002 I  am currently using a combination of lecturing and activities (including directed questioning, individual and group activities). I would like to try new methods that are more action based to improve the variety I use within a session. The sessions I teach tend to be all day so a variety of teaching is important to keep students engaged. My method has worked ok so far but I feel they could be greatly improved.
Being new to teaching I need to gain an understanding of how my students learn. This would enable me to plan activities and methods that are best suited to how the students learn. 
The learning environment is focused on the students, and we have classrooms as well as a factory area and labs available to use. ]]> 2017-10-20 15:26:49 UTC https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199102002 In the classroom albany_mcwilliam https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199102728 In the classroom students tend to be engaged. However sometimes there is talking when I’m talking which can be disruptive. 
One area that I can greatly improve is my planning. At the moment the majority of the learning materials are already prepared but I should spend more time familiarising myself with them, and change things as required. I would like sessions to be more interactive, and have reduce the time I spend lecturing I need to make sure I have time to prepare and ensure there are enough activities, particularly if students need to be stretched and challenged. ]]> 2017-10-20 15:28:20 UTC https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199102728 Assessment albany_mcwilliam https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199103238 The only assessment I have done with students so far is an exam, although I have shadowed an observation. Going forward I need to review assessment in the classroom, and consider how do I know students are learning.
Throughout the courses there are a variety of different assessments. Students are observed doing practicals in their workplace, completing written assignments or exams. During the course students are tracked to ensure they meet deadlines. ]]> 2017-10-20 15:29:17 UTC https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199103238 Evaluating my Teaching albany_mcwilliam https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199103831 Being new to teaching  I have found it difficult as I’ve had no feedback on my teaching yet. I could ask students to fill in a feedback form or ask a peer to observe me teaching. Once I have received feedback I will know what other areas I can improve upon.
I do use a self evaluation form after teaching to capture how the session went, and how it can be improved next time. ]]> 2017-10-20 15:30:34 UTC https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199103831 The Learning Outcomes albany_mcwilliam https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199104028 The learning outcomes the students are striving to achieve are knowledge and skills specific to the food industry, either with a qualification or an update in knowledge]]> 2017-10-20 15:31:00 UTC https://padlet.com/albany_mcwilliam/f5ztim9rlu8v/wish/199104028