PGCert in Learning and Teaching (Creative Practices)and Ron Barnett on being scholarly

On Friday I submitted my final assignment to complete part 1 of the PGCert in Learning and Teaching (Creative Practices) course that I have been studying since January. 

The course has been fantastic - very interesting, useful and enjoyable. The group comprised academics and support staff from Design and Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art and a few others from external institutions.

"The purpose of the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (Creative Practices) is to enable staff in UK HEIs and related professional fields to develop their knowledge and skills of teaching practice in higher education in the creative disciplines. This PgCert is specifically built around the concept of the critically reflective practitioner. The programme encourages students to engage with the principles of student-centred learning and major concepts and theories of learning and teaching. It asks students to reflect on their own role and practice in teaching and supporting students in a changing higher education environment, and facilitates the development of an individual programme of Continuous Professional Development.

The focus of the PgCert is the translation and application of generic pedagogical research to the creative practices, as well as the introduction to and exploration of research in the pedagogy of creative practices in higher education."

http://www.gsa.ac.uk/study/graduate-degrees/pg-cert-learning-teaching/

I have done extensive reading around the subject, and am going to select some extracts that I would like to share with you.

Ron Barnett on being scholarly:

Read a little

Write a little

Think a little

Share a little

every day

Every kid needs a champion

At the moment I am studying for a PGCert in Learning and Teaching: Creative Practices. The course material is very interesting, and has encouraged me to think about numerous educational issues including what kind of learner I am, what methods of teaching suit my way of learning, what makes an excellent teacher and how learning should be supported.

I have watched a number of inspirational TED talks, and found a playlist of talks about education particularly relevant to my current studies.

In her talk titled 'Every kid needs a champion', Rita Pierson argues that the relationship between teacher and student is very important. She suggests that teachers should admit their mistakes to their students, demonstrating that they too are learning and closing the hierarchy between tutor and pupil.  She also emphasises the importance of focusing on the positives rather than negatives in order to install a sense of hope and encouragement in the child. 

"Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be."