Electronic resources

As we go into another summer it is possible to consider that we are indeed experiencing a revolution in the ways that people now communicate...

Facebook, twitter, sms, email...

In my own practice, I have used my blog (http://ryanwse.blogspot.com/) as a reflective journal and my student website (http://sites.google.com/site/ryansclasses/) as a tool for teaching. Google.docs (https://docs.google.com/) for moderating assessing (also in my job role as Coordinator of Internal Verification), and now I have been using these tools as research methods, which I have found most useful

I look forward to trying out new methods in Future years.

Best Wishes for the summer

Evaluation of session 6 of Moving Forward with confidence

Today was the final session of the self-esteem course designed for **** College (please note for ethical reasons I have removed the name of the college) and I have to say many seemed very relieved. General comments after the class were that they didn't really find it particularly useful. Their comments also seemed to denote that they found the group discussions with myself more useful than the actual use of the CD, which many seemed to find uncomfortable. They actually said they would rather discuss ways to relax, stay safe, eat healthily in tutorial than listen to the CD and carryout the relaxation exercises. I think the results were very interesting as it was completely opposite to how I had expected it. I thought that the group would respond well to the short course and would create an avalanche of holistic ideas for boasting confidence. Instead I was quite disappointed and found the College's healthy eating tutorial activity seemed to engage the group much more.

I would however say that I would like to try this out on another group and see if they respond differently. I think the results could be varied with younger learners and possibly a different location. The classroom used was a good choice as it was in a quiet location at basement level, without windows. But could have benefited from dimmed light and more comfortable chairs.

Also the group have been together for four terms so they are quite familiar with each other and are good friends. Again I think the results would be very different if they didn't know each other and their teacher (myself) quite so well.

Today’s session just concluded the course and asked students to celebrate what they had achieved. I asked students to write 2 sentences;

What I've achieved is...

What I'm going to succeed with now is...

It’s hard to evaluate really whether or not the students benefited with the short course or not, however next weeks interviews should at least portray a snap shot of their interpretations.

Evaluation of session 5 of Moving Forward with confidence

Wednesday's session was extremely productive and as you can see (in the picture) we used a mind map to get some ideas as to how we can find ways to relax and then focused on looking after yourself by listening to Patricia Cleghorns CD.

General feedback from the group seems to denote that most students rarely have time at home to relax. Many have children and responsibilities in the home. Some younger students have part-time jobs and two have both children and other employment.

Again the students seemed to enjoy the relaxation exercises and one commented that she was looking forward to listening to the CD again next week. However, many other students seem disengaged and one asked how long the track was on the CD, suggesting that she hoped it would be over soon! It will be interesting to see how the interviews vary in a fortnights time.

Evaluation of session 4 of Moving Forward with confidence

Today's class discussed personal success, as usual we listened to the relaxing voice of Patricia Clegghorn and carried out the relaxation activity. We listened to how students can give themselves an inner boast. Afterwards we discussed this and explored other ways that students can boast themselves, I got them to each list one quality that they possess, to help them to build 'an inner CV' they included;

• I am unique
• I am confident
• I am in control
• I am patient
• I have lots to offer
• I am prepared

It was really good as it gave students a chance to recognise their own unique qualities... its very easy for us to just look at negativity in our lives; I think this helps students to break away from that.

When I studied the Educational focused NLP practitioner course, we looked at ways that we can boast students self-belief to encourage a positive atmosphere for classes. I have always found that this keeps students focused and makes learning enjoyable. Many teachers prefer to use the 'old school' approach... chalk and talk... which some consider a dictatorship style. I prefer to be a bit more 'new age', last year following the NLP course I worked hard to keep a relaxing environment which I felt was more conducive for learning and I have really found that it works. Students seem to be less inclined to mess about when there is a good rapport between staff and students. Of course there will always be a line, which you cannot cross. However pep talks and boasting the class, by keeping feedback very positive really helps. I recently started working with a really difficult class who were extremely dysfunctional as a result of timetable problems. It may sound a little bit arrogant but I feel I was able to bring them together just by pepping them up. Saying to them 'you have a really nice group'... 'lots of talented people'... 'you work really well together' and it has worked. Just recognising that and tell them that has really helped to turn things around and as a result they really have been working well together and really have been a lots nicer, even the most difficult learners in the class seem to have softened.

The class that I am experimenting with the self-esteem course are quite a contrast to the class I have just described. The students I am using in the experiment have been my tutor group for the last 2 years. They are an amazing class and work in a relaxed but productive way. I wonder how the other group would cope with this self-esteem course... would it improve them or would they fail to relax and become disruptive again? Would be interesting to see.

Evaluation of session 3 of Moving Forward with confidence

Today most students where on time and a lot more settled. The CDs spoke about confidence and boasting ones confidence with simple messages such as;

• I feel good about myself
• As I relax, I feel more at ease with my emotions
• I am in control of what I do, however I'm feeling
• I now stop blaming myself and others
• I speak clearly with compassion
• I now choose to feel peaceful

We listed examples on the board and the class seemed to respond very well. It wasn't quite as awkward today and I felt that the students where getting more used to the short course in self-esteem. One student actually gave some really positive feedback to the class and I couldn't help feeling that we had reached a turning point. She said she found Patricia Cleghorn (the author) voice really relaxing and would like to read one of her books.

For me I felt a little critical of the above boasters as I felt they were simple NLP and revealed nothing new... however I think the response from the students proved that I was wrong. They responded well and it just goes to show that sometimes just listening to some relaxing music with a calming voice giving you boasters really can make you feel better.

Evaluation of session 2 of Moving Forward with confidence

This week we were able to start session 2 of the self-esteem course on time, however due to the snow many were late in which caused a bit of disruption. The way this week's session was planned, we listened to 'calm cues' a relaxation activity first. Maybe not the best idea as the class had their eye closed and tried to relax other students kept bursting through the door with a loud 'Hello' ...one student even started to explain to the class her reason for being late. I smiled at her and tried my best to politely signal for her to be quiet. Whilst I asked students to close their eyes I said that they didn't have to as long as they respected others who did and kept quiet.

Today the exercise was about concentration. After listening to the track we discussed self-approval and concentration which worked much better. At the end of the session to help evaluate the students' understanding I gave them all a post-it note again and asked them to write down one positive thought about themselves. Which was nice really as many of them are busy Mothers and Wives and probably don't get much opportunity to celebrate their best qualities. I was careful to respect privacy for this exercise and again carefully collected the post-it notes without looking at what they had written. The good qualities ranged from being a good mum to qualities such as being happy, respectful and honest. No one listed their hairdressing skills so I was happy and felt that they had understood the task. The students left looking positive and probably glad to have given themselves an internal pat on the back.

Evaluation of session 1 of Moving Forward with confidence

'Moving Forward with Confidence' is a short course by Patricia Cleghorn designed to help students to build their self-esteem. I am evaluating short courses in self-esteem run alongside Full time courses for my MA in Education. I hope to write about the results for my 20'000 word dissertation. It's an important issue as I have seen many students qualify as hairdressers and then not practise as they are too nervous.

Before going into FE in 2006. I worked for 5 years as a workplace assessor. I was responsible for running training sessions with students for different companies from six hairdressing salons. These students all worked in the salon during the week and trained with me once a week. During that 5 years I had 6 students who qualified as hairdressers and then quit to go into jobs in retail as their nerves got the better of them.

I often wonder how many do the same thing after training full time at the college. Surely they must be even more nervous when they have not worked in a real salon...

Today was session one of the self-esteem course and it went quite well. I arrived to find the classroom locked which was a bit of a hassle as I had to call security to open the door, but luckily I was early so it didn't really disrupt things too much. The students where a little opposed to the idea, but warmed to the idea of self-esteem training once I explained the benefits. I followed the instruction written by Patricia and played her CD.
Last year I received training on teaching this course and I must say today was relatively easy and straight forward. I avoided asking the students to speak about their levels of self-esteem as I was worried it maybe difficult for them. Instead I asked them to write comments anonymously on post it notes. Their comments were quite good, they ranged from "relaxing techniques were useful" to "helps to relax and boast myself"

As a regular Buddhist Meditator, an NLP practitioner and a self proclaimed Self-help guru, I have no problem closing my eyes and listening to a self-esteem boasting CD with relaxation techniques and calming music, but even I found it a little uncomfortable with the class.

It was difficult to close my eyes and 'meditate' on a hard classroom seat, with a giggly class, noises from the corridor, bright strip lights overhead and the sound of the toilets flushing next door. This could possibly be improved with an alternative room in a more peaceful location, perhaps with candles even better a room with a dimmer switch. I would bring some candles in, but I fear that it may set the fire alarm off or violate health and safety rules. The classroom doesn't have any windows otherwise it may have been possible to open a window and light a candle. I did think I could bring a lamp in from home.