JASON ETIENNE ~ REFLECTION

Designing for Learning October 2020

This was very useful in terms of exploring assessment methods and how to implement them,
particularly with some of the comments on Gamification as it’s a subject close to my own
practice. It's also been quite reassuring to see some of my practices mentioned already in the
subject matter over the weeks. It has also helped me with the structuring of my lesson plans too
which is very helpful!

The subject of the role of traditional learning was interesting. As my sessions tend to be
workshop based and not so much in lectures - it's difficult to compare and contrast. That said, I
would have to disagree with Dawson's critique that the traditional lecture has little place in
modern classrooms. Again, I think we need to shift out of the notion of taking a binary response
to approaches and instead synthesise or adapt. I think traditional lectures, combined with
additional new learning methods can co-exist. I don't think it has to be a binary either or.

My concept of teaching is about empowering the learner be more self- sufficient and encourage
and help their peers in the learning process too. There's a phrase that goes "If you want to learn
something, teach it". I've always approached my teaching experience in this way. The way I plan
my lessons is that I tend to teach workshops where we have aims and objectives. There is a task
for students to complete although they are allowed to continue outside of the class. I'll do a
demonstration and the students follow along and learn the basic principles, upon which, they
continue to develop their work and give/receive feedback. Ultimately, my ‘take away’ from this
part was that when it comes to teaching you have to start with your audience to assess the level
that you are teaching at and then design your lessons from there. As the students’ progress, then
you are able to 'tailor' the sessions accordingly.