Zoe's blog

Young minds

zoewalker — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:38:26 +0000

You know, although I’ve been a teacher for over 17 years (HOW am I old enough to say that – when did that happen?!), I’ve only been a mum for seven. I think in that seven years, I’ve learnt more about children’s development than I ever could in a school environment. It never ceases to amaze me how big a capacity young children have for learning. Take my seven year old. He knows more Japanese than me through his Judo lessons. Pronounciation – no problem. Understanding – take it as given. We recently acquired a piano and after showing an interest he’s started taking lessons. In 5 weeks he has learnt to read music and has started to learn to play with both hands – all whilst teasing his father mercilessly that he knows more than him…What happens to this thirst for knowledge and learning as they get older? Do we, as secondary teachers, lose the powers to nuture this ability through the curse of deadlines, time restrictions and inflexibility – all I hasten to add, not of our own making. I often feel a slight pang of jealousy when the kids run home talking about the greenhouse they made of plastic bottles, or the museum opening they had for parents. It all sounds so much fun…something I think which sometimes gets lost in the secondary education system, or at least takes second place. Or is it just that outside factors and hormones take over? In a time when (I feel) kids are growing up too fast), I think I’ll try and keep mine young for as long as possible. Let them try out as many things as possible and hope they find a passion that will follow them through life. Here’s hoping.

Another Day

zoewalker — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:17:43 +0000

Ok. I’m on a roll. Months of nothing, then two posts in two days. Only, I’ve remembered why I started this thing so here goes most likely another rant.
Commercialism. Why, oh why do we fall for it? Mother’s Day. My first without my mum so it’s been a day of very mixed emotions. But you know what? There shouldn’t be a Mother’s Day, a Father’s Day, Valentines Day…Maybe I’m being a bit cynical and maybe it’s just the high emotions, but if you can’t be nice and appreciate these people the rest of the year, why make the effort for one day when things return to normal the next? Retailers, of course, love it and their little eyes see pound signs instead of stars. But people fall for the guilt in the advertising. It’s a powerful thing is advertising and perhaps that should be taught in the curriculum. I usually tackle it in great depth around S2. There’s nothing better to get the conversation going than showing one of the ‘shocking’ Benetton ads of the 90′s, explaining how sex sells, or how their much admired sport or pop stars are used to lure them into a promised world. Even the fact that by that age, they are considered past it as a target group by certain advertisers. I love watching them pull apart a poster and slowly realise the methods used to attract and sell. Does it make a difference? Nah. Probably not. But if it makes them a bit more aware, then worth doing I suppose.
So. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mums out there. I’m not so miserable I wouldn’t wish it. My lot went to great lengths to make me feel special this morning and it was appreciated – I’ll remind them off it tomorrow when the demands and cheek and strops start! LOL

Spaced Out

zoewalker — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:50:12 +0000

There’s no two ways of looking at it. I ain’t no city girl. There’s something about space that frees the mind and takes all the stresses away. The buzz of a big city may be exciting, but the black nights where you can see the stars glistening without the glare of neon and the absolute silence, for me, wins every time. When I come North, it’s the change of pace I long for. One might laugh at all the stereotypical Highland portrayals in films, but there are times and places where they’re not far wrong. There’s an ability to sit back and take stock, or just sit back. For me, it’s about being able to find clarity.
So, it made me think about the traditional school environment. Closed classrooms with sometimes 30 pupils crammed in. No matter how stimulating the wall display is, there’s no getting away from the four walls. My Department used to be open plan and I miss the environment and I have to say, the buzz that went along with it. Ok, there were times when having several sets of S2 in at the same time proved a little challenging, but hey, what’s a little challenge. Like life, it seems that many feel more secure having things in little boxes. Shame really. It’s like these supposedly radical changes in the education system at the moment. What radical changes? Dangle the carrot of a progressive way forward, only to halt any radical ideas by providing no money, limited development time and red tape barriers that only make things difficult. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, education is so much more than passing exams. Pupils have to be exposed to an environment that is appropriate to their learning objectives- and that is not necessarily in a classroom setting learning in the traditional context. Mind you, define classroom setting. Maybe that’s what needs to change for some. Walking through a park studying texture and colour. Strolling along a coastline looking at erosion. Sowing seeds in a greenhouse…of course this is all done, but how many people truly see these things as being as valid as a bit of paper? It’s like the ‘base’ kids who get out of classes on an afternoon to do an activity. How many times
have I heard the cry of ‘but they’re getting treats for being bad’? To many. Again it comes down to educational value and for some education is not about knowledge of a subject or unit of work. Scrap that. It shouldn’t be about that all the time for anyone. This is not a new idea, but for many it’s an idea that will not be acknowledged. Frustrating really.
I think I’ve had too much space today.

On an even lighter note…kinect away

zoewalker — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:34:40 +0000

How cool is the new Xbox Kinect?

We made the mistake of going into Game last week, only to find the shop assistants encouraging anyone interested to have a go. I have to say I was quite impressed. It’s a very clever piece of kit. And a great gadget of course. However, it’s not so much the gaming possibilities that impressed me (although the lack of wires and controllers did appeal, particularly after having watched my 3 year old almost swinging the Wii controller through the tv screen on many an occasion). It was just the sheer delight at the development in technology and interactive possibilities. We dug out of the loft our old original playstation the other day and although our 6 year old loved it, it’s scary how things have moved on in a relatively short space of time. Only tonight we were commenting on the vast change in graphics and gaming technology since our youthful days. It makes me wonder how this form of technology will start to influence our everyday lives and in what context it will be used next. I’m sure in a few years, when we switch our lights on with the wave of a hand etc, the Kinect will seem quite crude. Who knows, but it’s exciting to think about.

On a lighter note

zoewalker — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:07:15 +0000

We went to look at VW camper vans today. I have to say that when my other half decided it was something he wanted about a year ago, I wasn’t overly enthusiastic. However, as much as I hate to admit it, I think I’ve become hooked on the idea…the trouble seems to be finding one. Or rather, finding one at the price we want to pay. Anyway, I’m sold. The boys are old enough for some adventures, and young enough to appreciate them in a way that I’m not so sure adults can. I want them to have a sense of freedom that can’t be found in the city and a love of packing up, mucking in and seeing different places. So maybe one day soon, we’ll be packing up and driving off on some wee adventure. Here’s hoping we find our ‘Tilly’ soon.

Time for a rant…

zoewalker — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 23:48:48 +0000

Jeez. I feel like a rant coming on.

You know what I hate about teaching? That, unlike the real world, some of those who work within it are not held accountable enough for some of the things that they do or how they behave. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, if you’re in it for the pay, the holidays or the fact you think the job can be done between 9 and 4 – GET OUT and do something else. Education is about learning, not passing exams. Of course, that is important, but to teach to pass exams or to get good stats really gets my goat. Good teachers are those who want to pass on knowledge about their subject, to share a passion or to help shape young minds. Hell, how about just liking working with kids. And by the way, that means the challenging ones too. It is a job, but it shouldn’t be just a job. In a perfect world, all our pupils would be well behaved sponges who soak up knowledge. But, that is not a real world and how boring it would be. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be nice once in a while, but be realistic. We have to remember that in terms of time, we see pupils for only a small part of their day and let’s face it, to many, it’s not the most important part. There are some great teachers out there. There are also some that are less so. The same goes for pupils. However, they have an excuse in a way. Like many jobs, the stress levels can be high, the paperwork too laborious and the amount of time given to do things, too little. But, that’s the job. It doesn’t matter how much a pupil has hacked you off, it’s about unconditional positive regard. It’s about giving as many chances as needed for them to be turned around. It’s about being an adult. Sounds perfect, eh? I wish.

A Gift of Suprise

zoewalker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:57:01 +0000

I was expecting to get diamond earrings…instead I got something better. I think. As I sit here typing on my newly acquired iPad (despite swearing blind I wouldn’t have one until the second generation appeared), I’m trying to gauge it’s full potential. At the moment, I have to be honest, not having had the time to fully investigate all the potentials, I feel I’m using a big iPod for poorer sighted people! I know I’ll change my mind and it is a very sexy piece of kit, but I guess it’ll take time to figure it all out. So, my task for over the next week or so is to get down to some serious productivity searching. We’ll see how I get on…

40 and Proud

zoewalker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:47:50 +0000

Well, it happened. It’s been some year. Very little R & R, plenty of drama and the loss of my beloved mum a few weeks ago. On top of it all, I turned 40 last week. Mid-life crisis? Nah. To be honest, I feel grateful to have made it. I don’t really understand what all the fuss is about. I don’t feel any different and sure as hell don’t intend to act any differently. In fact, it’s almost a relief that the day has come and gone. Mind you, I did look at all my cards with their ’40′ emblazoned on them and they gave me a flashback to looking at age cards when I was younger and thinking how old that was…

I like what I see…

zoewalker — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:11:54 +0000

As I type, more information is being uploaded on the net about the iPad. The more I see, the more I want. Forget the Lenovo previously blogged about – ok Steve?!

The Beauty of Nature

zoewalker — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:33:55 +0000

I found this image on the BBC website yesterday. How amazing? How beautiful? A snowflake in all its glory.

What’s just as amazing is that this was taken by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley (1865-1931) who is thought to have been the first to capture single snowflakes on camera. Nearly 100 years ago he had no fancy equipment to use. In fact, he had quite basic equipment. But what it does show is one man’s belief that the miraculous beauty of nature should be captured for anyone to view. His perseverence brought to us images that would amaze viewers for years to come. Loving it!

More of Bentley’s images can be viewed at the Carl Hammer Gallery.