Field+Work

How did everyone go with their Field work? For my field work I volunteered for the YMCA working with young people on a school holiday program. This was such a great experience, I honestly can't talk highly enough about what the YMCA does for young people. Especially those who are disadvantaged. It was also a great experience for me to give something back. The program went for 2 weeks and was full of exciting things for the students to do. We went horse riding, had gladiator days, went swimming and learnt to skateboard. Many of these activities we so often take for granted, but for the children who came it was a chance to do something different that their families probably otherwise couldn't afford. I learnt alot about young people on this program. Especially the problems they so commonly face. It was a real eye opener.

As part of my field work hours, I also helped out on a school sports day. I was in charge of manning one of the athletics stations and organising students, measuring distance and time and recording their scores. I also had the opportunity to be one of the judges for who the best house team was. It was a great day and a great oportunity to see how a school runs these types of event.

I also helped out with a Primary School in my area. As soon as I stepped into the classroom a lot of things made sense. It was a fantastic opportunity to see a school in motion. This was my first real experience of the classroom since starting this course and I must say it really helped open my eyes to what goes on in a classroom. I was able to be a fly on the wall and learn the different strategies teachers use.

I had a great time at field work. I spent my time at Beaconsfield Primary school. It is a big school and very modern. Every room has a smart board, and the buildings are all fantastic looking and in great shape. The school is trying what I believe is a relatively new concept called 'Tribes'. That was quite interesting to see, but not sure how I feel about it yet. It's just where a small number of children from each year level meet up with a teacher to form a new class with children from prep to 6. They meet for half an hour a week and just play games together. I think it is supposed to encourage a community atmosphere and allow the older children to mix with the younger children to help prevent bullying and things like that. It seemed very hard to find games that all ages like!!! I saw many different classess - prep, prep/1, 2, 3, 5/6, and spent a day with the computer lady. I tell you, I would not like to be a specialist teacher. We did the same lesson 6 times. It was so boring!!! But I loved being in all the other classes and getting great ideas from all the teachers I was with. It was nice to see a variety of classroom management techniques and the way different classrooms were arranged. The teachers were great - they always told me what they were doing and why and I got some great ideas from them. I began my field work early, which helped me a lot, as Luke said - it's a great idea to have all the students do this before starting classes, so we can at least picture a classroom to help us with our coursework. Over all, a very rewarding experience.

Hey everyone.. I love it. I wish I had done it earlier. I am learning so much so quickly. I reckon when doing a Dip Ed students should do field work for the first couple weeks, then lectures begin. For the first time I am understanding alot of what is being taught. If I had the classroom experience first I could understand 'why' alot of what was being taught. I have this little boy from Jordan in my class. He is so funny. Has just moved to Australia so has the cutest little accent and has no idea what is going on in the classroom. You will ask him a question and he will respond with the most unrelated answer! He is great to work with.  I did not need to do fieldwork as it was deemed that four years teaching experience within a Primary Schools in England, two years team-teaching English in Japanese Junior High Schools and four years teaching English in Finland counted for something. However, since arriving I have also worked an after school care programme and a holiday scheme - so maybe this would count too? 

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