“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid”
Einstein
My Personal Reflection on SPE3002
Through my engagement with this 'Portfolio' task, I have gained many skills, but also faced a number of challenges. While it took me a long time to complete, I can see its worth for future reference and it was also a lot of fun.
I increased my researching skills by looking for the best methods to help particular issues, and to also make sure it is backed up by research. Also, this was the first time I have worked with a blog site like Weebly, so that was both a challenge to get to grips with it, but I also learnt valuable skills. I thought that working with such a site is a fun and useful way to store any knowledge I find throughout my studies and is easily accessible to other people. Working with Weebly has actually inspired me to create another site for ESL students (English second language) as I am not originally from Australia, and I think there needs to be more insight into Artefacts for ESL students and any issues they might face. Also throughout my research I found many resources that are very useful for all types of issues that might arise, so I feel more prepared.
The challenges I faced included thinking about and finding the Artefacts so that I didn't go off track. Also, I did try to create one of the Artefacts but it just didn't turn out right, and I actually had a bit of difficulty with that even though it was a lot of fun. However I know that for my future as an educator making visual supports for students will be so worthwhile as I know they will be able to greatly benefit from them.
In general just making the Weebly site appealing and easy to read for everyone was a challenge. When I was researching for some Artefacts I had the challenge that sometimes there were too many Artefacts to choose from, for example other than a timer, there was a time schedule or count-down, or for the visual schedule there was also a finished tasks basket, first-then etc. I therefore had to decide which one was best suited to the individual and restrain myself from getting too excited and want to use them all.
Another challenge was writing the case study because I had trouble thinking about a 'typical' student you might encounter, plus finding the issues and Artefacts to go hand in hand was a task. My overall experiences with this assignment are positive however, as thanks to this subject I have definitely grown as an educator.
I didn't really know a lot about Autism and how to teach students with Autism specifically. Therefore this course has helped so much because I now have a base understanding of some of the issues Autistic children face, and how to help combat those within the classroom. I have also found a number of websites throughout the course which I will be able to continuously refer to for help and ideas. And even if I were not to pursue a career in teaching, I will still have gained an invaluable set of skills and knowledge to better understand and hopefully help Autistic individuals to live a stress free and 'normal' life.
I feel confident that I will be able to find ways to help not only students with Autism, but any students with Developmental or physical disabilities to my best ability. I know there are Artefacts out there specifically to help certain issues. I am also a lot more confident in dealing with students with disabilities with my new knowledge, as before I was scared I might teach the wrong things, or I just wasn't really sure how to handle myself around them. I have also learnt the importance and strength of patience and understanding, and that all good things take time.
Assignment 1 was also very useful to me- I learnt so much through reading about the world through the eyes and mind of an individual with Autism- there is definitely no better way to understand anyone than to know exactly how they work- how they think.
I need to further develop knowledge of other potential issues that might not be so well researched and common but still occur, so that I can develop Artefacts and help with these.
Overall, I will definitely be able to incorporate my newly gained knowledge from this course and both assignments both professionally and personally. Professionally, I know how important it is to understand and know your students with Autism, so that it makes it easier to be able to maximize their learning. Of course, using many visual aids in the classroom and at home is very important, and I know that the senses need to be considered to avoid sensory overload.
For my own personal benefit, I have learnt that patience and understanding with any person with Autism is needed. They are just like everyone else, only they look at the world with different and unique perspectives.
I increased my researching skills by looking for the best methods to help particular issues, and to also make sure it is backed up by research. Also, this was the first time I have worked with a blog site like Weebly, so that was both a challenge to get to grips with it, but I also learnt valuable skills. I thought that working with such a site is a fun and useful way to store any knowledge I find throughout my studies and is easily accessible to other people. Working with Weebly has actually inspired me to create another site for ESL students (English second language) as I am not originally from Australia, and I think there needs to be more insight into Artefacts for ESL students and any issues they might face. Also throughout my research I found many resources that are very useful for all types of issues that might arise, so I feel more prepared.
The challenges I faced included thinking about and finding the Artefacts so that I didn't go off track. Also, I did try to create one of the Artefacts but it just didn't turn out right, and I actually had a bit of difficulty with that even though it was a lot of fun. However I know that for my future as an educator making visual supports for students will be so worthwhile as I know they will be able to greatly benefit from them.
In general just making the Weebly site appealing and easy to read for everyone was a challenge. When I was researching for some Artefacts I had the challenge that sometimes there were too many Artefacts to choose from, for example other than a timer, there was a time schedule or count-down, or for the visual schedule there was also a finished tasks basket, first-then etc. I therefore had to decide which one was best suited to the individual and restrain myself from getting too excited and want to use them all.
Another challenge was writing the case study because I had trouble thinking about a 'typical' student you might encounter, plus finding the issues and Artefacts to go hand in hand was a task. My overall experiences with this assignment are positive however, as thanks to this subject I have definitely grown as an educator.
I didn't really know a lot about Autism and how to teach students with Autism specifically. Therefore this course has helped so much because I now have a base understanding of some of the issues Autistic children face, and how to help combat those within the classroom. I have also found a number of websites throughout the course which I will be able to continuously refer to for help and ideas. And even if I were not to pursue a career in teaching, I will still have gained an invaluable set of skills and knowledge to better understand and hopefully help Autistic individuals to live a stress free and 'normal' life.
I feel confident that I will be able to find ways to help not only students with Autism, but any students with Developmental or physical disabilities to my best ability. I know there are Artefacts out there specifically to help certain issues. I am also a lot more confident in dealing with students with disabilities with my new knowledge, as before I was scared I might teach the wrong things, or I just wasn't really sure how to handle myself around them. I have also learnt the importance and strength of patience and understanding, and that all good things take time.
Assignment 1 was also very useful to me- I learnt so much through reading about the world through the eyes and mind of an individual with Autism- there is definitely no better way to understand anyone than to know exactly how they work- how they think.
I need to further develop knowledge of other potential issues that might not be so well researched and common but still occur, so that I can develop Artefacts and help with these.
Overall, I will definitely be able to incorporate my newly gained knowledge from this course and both assignments both professionally and personally. Professionally, I know how important it is to understand and know your students with Autism, so that it makes it easier to be able to maximize their learning. Of course, using many visual aids in the classroom and at home is very important, and I know that the senses need to be considered to avoid sensory overload.
For my own personal benefit, I have learnt that patience and understanding with any person with Autism is needed. They are just like everyone else, only they look at the world with different and unique perspectives.