I'm spending the whole of this week doing what they call classroom observation. Basically, I go into the school, or more specifically, in with a computing teacher, and observe all of their lessons, noting everything from behaviour management to the types of question they ask! I'm making lots of notes and asking lots of questions. But, I do have a list of specfic things I need to focus on.
What I'm realising is just how big a job being a teacher is, and it's not only in terms of subject knowledge that a teacher stands or falls. There are 101 other things that they have to deal with daily. There's the constant threat of a visit form the HMI (Her Majesty's Inspectors), tracking assessment scores and coursework, using feedback from pupils and assessment scores to evaluate own teaching performance and pinpoint areas for improvement. Take into consideration the fluidity of computing as a subject, (is there any faster moving subject in the curriculum?) and you can easily see the enormity of what I'm getting myself into here!
I cannot however fault the teacher I'm in with, he's outstanding, and I don't think I could have been placed with anyone more helpful had I hand-picked them myself. He offers advice freely when asked for, and is completely transparent about every aspect of his work. Not only that, but he slung me copies of many of the course textbooks and said I could keep them, along with a pile of other teaching materials. I was going to buy those. He said, "Never buy anything in this profession!" An attitude with which I intend to do my utmost to comply. Words like laudable and commendable spring to mind. The school also has some amazingly cheap sources for computer components and peripherals, which I may well be tempted to call upon given the opportunity!
