Week 1

Critical Reflective Journal Entry

Reflection

Before commencing PGCHE, I thought I equipped myself for teaching, gauge student learning, and the necessary support through my inimitable tried and tested teaching style and mainly one-on-one support. However, I can recall many times when I doubted the reception of individual lectures and seminars. In time, I came to realise that the outstanding grasp of one’s subject is naturally essential; unless the design, planning, and delivery of the subject are student-focused, I will fail as a teacher. After all, what is the use of a wrongly pitched lecture if it were unable to educate? One gets to realize how student-centric the profession should be. As a lecturer in HE, we fall into a sense of false assumption that as students are here by choice, they should just get on with learning. After all, that’s how we did. Indeed, jumping into teaching in HE straight after a post-graduate education without a formal teaching qualification highlighted these and other shortcomings.

My considerations for professional values proved challenging to address. In the new-normal online learning world, in which technology will play an important role, I will need to concentrate on the design, planning of a course, and aspects of assessment I did not consider previously. In my first week of study, what surprised me most is the extent of considerations to make a successful teacher.

From my evaluation, I have come to appreciate how limited my experience has been so far. Yet on one to one tutorials, modifying my pitch to a group of students to address specific group-centric needs, I feel I am flexible. Another area in which I think I am capable is student mentoring for career advancement. Coming from a mature student background who spent years in the industry, I appreciate the value and the opportunities available for students. Where I lack experience is to design teaching conditions for, say, students with learning impediments. To address my shortcomings, I will seek support from my peers and course mentors and consult reading materials.