GMIT EXAMINATIONS 2016/17

Continuous Assessment
School Placement 1 Reflective Essay
Programme: BSc (Hons) in Education (Design Graphics and
Construction)

Year: 1

Module: School Placement 1

Module Credits: 5

CA Weighting: 50%

Internal Examiner(s): Ms. Ann Foley

External Examiner(s):

Submission
Submission Date/Time:

Post Lesson Reflection: 6/3/2017 at 10pm

Unless accompanied by a signed absence sheet, late submission will not

be marked

Instructions to Candidates:
Please read the following information carefully

Student Name: Luke Sweeney

Student Number: G00348594

The Joys of Teaching! Module: School Placement 1

As I embarked on my two final school placement visits, I began to look into the

topic the joys of teaching. Many events occurred in my final school placement visits

that influenced my topic the joys of teaching. I gained a great insight into both the

joys and the lows that come with teaching. I learned how to react when incidents

happen; I realized how important it is to find the middle ground of teaching, and

getting respect and good manners from pupils. A guest speaker also came into the

school and this really reinforced the sheer happiness that teachers can get from

passing down their knowledge to young people.

The day started like any other, the children entered the school, put on their

slippers and grouped as they got ready for the morning prayers. When all the children

were gathered for their prayers a boy blurted I want to burn down a tree. I was

astonished that something like this could be said in a classroom. The teacher had to

deal with this incident in a professional manner. In a calm yet stern tone of voice she

explained to him that there were young children in the room. He then understood that

he had done wrong. Whether or not you like if your pupils look to you for examples of

adult behaviour, they expect you to rise above their occasional acts of misbehaviour

and demonstrate how the adult world operates in such circumstances. (Walsh, 2009, p.

97). This opened my eyes because I would not have known what to do if I had been

confronted with a situation like this in the classroom. It shows me that teaching comes

with a lot of responsibility. However, after hearing the teachers reaction, I am

confident to say that I would be able to handle this if it were to happen in my

classroom. I am lucky that I have experienced an incident like this and that I now know

how I would resolve it.

A guest speaker came into my school and explored mechanisms. He went through

important information with the children such as ratios and horsepower. The children

listened to the guest speaker and took in the information. While explaining the topics

he continued to relate them back to things the children would find interesting so that

he would keep their attention. Although good subject knowledge is the cornerstone of
The Joys of Teaching! Module: School Placement 1

effective teaching, it is not enough on its own. You will need to develop what has been

described as pedagogic content knowledge by learning how to apply your knowledge to

make this subject interesting and accessible to children. (brooks, 2004, p. 9) . If I

were to be this teacher, I would do the same. He firstly gave out the knowledge, let

the children carry out the experiment, and at the end evaluated it. I feel that this

information will stick with these children for the rest of their lives. This particular

aspect of teaching will provide me with a sense of achievement in years to come, as you

know you have added to their intelligence.

On my second day of placement, the teacher asked me to photocopy a worksheet

for the class. As she explained how to carry out the photocopying, she also explained

that the worksheet she was using was not too hard or not too easy. She then went on to

tell me that it is extremely important to find the middle ground when teaching, as

children need to have a sense of achievement. This aspect certainly adds to the joys of

teaching, as I was happy to see the children succeed after taking on challenges. I

understand now that there must be much thought put into the preparing of any kind of

lesson plan.

An important part of teaching is knowing how to control your students and have

a certain amount of respect. Throughout the class, one thing I noticed was how many

times the children had to be reminded to raise their hands if they wanted to say

something. It made me feel anxious when they spoke out of turn. It made me feel that

control and respect are essential that I will need in my classroom. The key to

establishing good discipline in the classroom lies in pupils accepting your authority to

manage their behaviour and their progress in learning. (Kyriacou, 2007, p. 86) . As an

aspiring secondary school teacher, I know I will feel a sense of fulfilment when I learn

how to enter a classroom full of students and have their respect from the minute I

begin my lesson.

In conclusion, it is clear to see that there are many different joys of teaching.

However, there are times when you are faced with tough situations. You never know

when a student may misbehave but you are equipped with the right skills to handle this
The Joys of Teaching! Module: School Placement 1

at any moment in your career. Of course the good outweighs the bad. Throughout my

school placement, I seen information being delivered and being recapped by a learning

exercise. This is a brilliant learning strategy. It was fantastic to see the children

absorb knowledge from the teacher and I look forward to using this strategy when I

become a teacher myself. One of the main joys of teaching is when you get to see a

student succeed. This will happen when the workload for the student is achievable.

When a teacher gains respect from their students their class can then be satisfying.

The interesting part is gaining that respect and letting your students know that you are

well capable of teaching them. Finally, as a sum up point it is clear to see that there are

many different joys of teaching both good and bad.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
brooks, V. (2004). preparing to teach in secondary schools. berkshire: open university press.
Kyriacou, C. (2007). Essential Teaching Skills. cheltenham: basil blackwell ltd.
Walsh, B. (2009). A Guide to Teaching Practice in Ireland. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan ltd.
The Joys of Teaching! Module: School Placement 1