Week Three - Personal Development

Welkom terug. 

This week it was evident that this Erasmus program is not as easy as we wished for. We saw a large increase in our timetable and our work load. Starting at 8.30 am most mornings and attending classes seven days a week, however it was enjoyable and we still made time to enjoy ourselves with the rest of the Erasmus students.

We began our Dutch and technology lessons this week which for me personally is very interesting as I think it is necessary to learn at least a little of the native language, especially as I am here for the duration of four months. In our introductory technology and design lesson, known as “technics” in Belgium, it was very intriguing to learn about their curriculum in schools compared to our curriculum in Ireland. Our topics at home within the curriculum of technology and design are: electronics, pneumatics, product design, manufacture and materials. Whereas here they are giving a broader range of topics such as: transport, sewing, ICT, recycling and biochemistry. A limiting factor of their course which stood out to me was that after the completion of their course they are only able to teach children within the ages of 11-14 years old. Personally I feel this greatly restricts their job opportunities greatly compared to us whom can teach primary education, secondary education (ages 10 -18) and special educational needs education.

Another personally appealing subject we began this week was “Innovative methods of teaching” this was a three hour workshop on creating QR codes and quizzes using tablets. Henry, B.(1999) states, “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” To ensure personally I become a good teacher I will motivate and ignite the imagination of my pupils at all times, I feel using the teaching methods I have learned this week would do just this. 

Creating QR Codes and Online Quizzes

On Wednesday we visited the caves of Kannes which was excellent to get a personal insight to these as it is of interest to me. The caves are around 70 million years old which consist of marlstone. Within the caves are fascinating designs and drawings and after viewing the caves everyone gets a glass of Belgium’s finest beer which of course made a huge brightener to the end of the tour.

One of the magnificent drawings within the Caves of Kannes 

Group photo of our class in the caves

During the tour we were able to carve our names in the marlstone

After our trip we all enjoyed a lovely meal as a group to end a well organised, enjoyable day which was quickly changed for the worst when I noticed my purse had been stolen at some stage during the trip. Personally this is a big wake up call that bad things do happen and to in future be more careful of personal belongings of myself and my friends while being away from home, especially when we are visiting many other countries and cities.

Hebben een goede week.

Genieten!

Ashlinn Donnelly