Hello

I've spent the last few years discussing the merits of maintaining a reflective journal with my learners, whilst all the while hiding my secret shame of not keeping one myself. I cannot continue in this hypocritical vein so here you go - a reflective blog that considers what I do in work etc. and how the things I learn impact on what I do next.

I certainly intend to invite any FD students to pop over here and chat with me just as I intend to do the same with their blogs.

The new full-time FD group started yesterday and we were somewhat shocked to discover many more students than we expected. Thank goodness that my plan had been to start with a group exercise that didn't require computers and that I had emergency photocopies so that no-body was left without some handouts. I have learnt the hard way (and also from my brief stint in the Girl Guides before I was thrown out for not wearing the uniform) that you should always be prepared. I intend to make anything I do available on the college Moodle site just in case there are any late-enrollers for the course. I explained yesterday that my role in college is a supportive one and I readily extend this to the FD. If I can't help, I make it my business to know someone who can.

Last night, I went to hear Germaine Greer speak http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germaine_Greer
She is a real hero of my and it was very interesting to hear her talk about Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife. Perhaps what is more interesting through is that she is still producing cutting edge academic research and saying things that nobody else has said at 68. This reassures me that we're never too old to learn, to be controversial and to make people think.

I'll continue to add bits and pieces on here as they occur to me and I will also follow my own advice and set myself targets.

The past two years of hypocrisy on my part are slightly eroded by entry one - now lets see if I can stick to it :)