I’m feeling apprehensive about starting the PGCert. I’ve wanted to take this course for so long and to be able to enhance my practice – this will be my 4th att As a technician I am aware that this course might not be the best fit, I feel that it might be really geared towards academics, but I’m teaching all the time, just in a different guise. As a technician, I’m giving out information on techniques and standard health & safety info. As a studio technician, which is a new post for me since last year’s technical shake-up UAL, I now have to redefine my role. It feels like there’s more of an academic aspect to this job but with enhanced technical know-how. I think in the future, the technicians may now also have some input into assessing students. I do wonder if this is a way to boost academic content on courses and to under-cut academic roles (for less money..)
With regard to my teaching practice; one aspect I’m interested in is the use of materials and how they can become a language. This has always been a key interest and I would really like to explore ways of introducing this approach as a way of engaging with subject matter. I also want to learn how to support students to the best of my ability and become better at structure which has always been an issue for me. I’ve never learned how to teach formally.
I hope that I am academic enough to be able to absorb what I need to absorb! I’m hoping for tips on ways to improve my teaching, to become more efficient and effective, to get a better understanding of current best-practice and also meet other learners. I’m excited about an intense period of study although this is tempered with the recognition of having to to work hard to make the time to fulfil the course requirements when I’m so snowed-under with other work commitments. I’m finding it tricky to gauge how long things are going to take.. we shall see!