Microsoft Office

Microsoft office is a suit that contains various applications that allow people to create, organise and record information. 
The applications that are available and commonly used within the classroom are:

• Microsoft word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft excel

All students that I teach have used or are going to use these applications, within their studies.  I have also used these applications as a student and now as a lecturer. 

Microsoft word allows people to create word documents about anything.  The students in my class use word to write up their assignments. Recent versions allow for greater creativity when writing documents. 

Microsoft Word screen shot

Microsoft PowerPoint is an application that allows people to create a slideshow of information.  This is commonly used in lecturing, as it is an easy and interactive way to deliver information to the students.  

Microsoft PowerPoint screen shot

Microsoft excel is a spreadsheet application that allows people to organise data.  The students will use excel during their business module, and other aspects of the course. 

Microsoft Excel Screen shot

I personaly like using these applications and use them all during every week.  I have grown up using them and am very comfortable and confident when using them.  I feel like I can also help others with these application if needed.  

Bring your own device

Bring your own device is a scheme that has been brought into practice, where the students bring their own electronic device to their sessions, such as a laptop or a tablet. This has been put into practice in a number of courses in Pembrokeshire College. 

There are many benefits and disadvantages to the, bring your own device scheme. 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Students will always have access to a device to work on, instead of relying on free devices in the library of the college	Have to rely on the students bringing the devices to class
Students will have access to the internet at all times, when in the college	They all have to tested to make sure that they are safe to use, which can take a considerable amount of time out of sessions
It allows different teaching strategies to take place	Some students may not have enough money to buy these electronic devices, or will have to wait and receive them as presents
Teachers can use a variety of different teaching tools that can benefit the different learning styles of the students	There may not be enough plugs in the room to charge the laptops when in use
The devices have to be checked for safety.  Will know if they are safe.	Some teachers may not understand how to teach sufficiently with the devices
The work that students have to complete can be saved on various devices, such as laptops, tablets and memory sticks	If the students are using their smartphones for a task then they may not put them away when asked to when the task is finished
The different devices have different applications on them to aid in their learning	All technology has the possibility to break and malfunction

More advantages and disadvantages of technology in the classroom.

 

This scheme has been put into practice with the first years of the Level 3 Animal Care students.  Here are some of the thoughts from them of the, bring your own device.

‘I think this is a good idea as it’s useful to always have a source of research and having a laptop is easier to type up notes as it is quicker and more accurate.’

‘I don’t think bringing in your own laptop was a good idea for this type of course.  Some people didn’t have laptops and so had to buy one specifically for this course.  Most lessons the laptops are not needed.  I go to the library to type and print off my work.  I prefer to do this because I concentrate better.  I still do not have a laptop because I cannot yet afford to get one for myself.’

‘I think the bring your own device course is a good idea because it helps students to be more organised and helps them not lose their work.  However, it is a bad idea because the students have to carry their laptops around with them every day.  Also the laptops run out of battery meaning everyone wants to plug their laptops in and there aren’t enough sockets.’

I believe in the future, this will be standard teaching and learning, but at present it is not efficient as most students cannot afford them or will forget to bring them in.  Also, some teachers have not got the skills to teach using technology like this, although, if more training sessions are put into place, and it is encouraged, the teachers will be more confident around it to use in lessons.   

References
Teacher Radar.pro. 'Laptops vs Tablets: which is best for a small business?'. 2013.
http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/laptops-vs-tablets-for-a-small-business-1172801 [Accessed: 5th December 2014

Bilingual Learning

Most people in Wales speak English, and 19% of Welsh people are fluent in Welsh, (Wales, Cymru, 2014). 
The Welsh Language Act 1993, Government of Wales Act 1998, and The National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012 ensure that the Welsh and English languages are treated equally. 
They also give freedom to speak Welsh in Wales and they have given the Welsh language an official status.  The Welsh Language commissioner has the power to fine up to £5000 if the standards of the above acts are broken.



It is important to be able to integrate the Welsh language into as many things as possible within the teaching role.  This can be done in many different ways that will not take up too much time from the tutor or the translator.  The people who are able to speak Welsh within Pembrokeshire College wear a pin (right) that shows people that they can speak Welsh.

Simple things such as putting a heading of a PowerPoint in both Welsh and English, and just saying a Welsh greeting at the start of the session, are both simple ways to integrate the Welsh language into the sessions.
It is also important to include different Welsh culture within the classroom. This can be done simply by using a local Welsh place name or a Welsh name in an example.

Pembrokeshire College and other colleges in Wales offer opportunities for the students to complete their assessments in Welsh, whether that is just one question.  Also, the tutorials and feedback can also be completed in Welsh if chosen.   Workbooks and PowerPoint’s provide other opportunities, as they can be created bilingually. 



When teaching I will be using as many Welsh terms where possible.  As I am not a Welsh speaker I personally cannot assess people in Welsh but colleagues in my department can, along with a department of Welsh translators, therefore I can ask for their aid.  Saying this, I will be able to put simple feedback on work in Welsh, such as ‘Very good / da iawn’, and also words such as ‘amcanion / objectives’ in my PowerPoint’s.

Some other terms and words that will be useful within my teaching are:
- Great - Bendigedig
- Thanks - Diolch
- Please - Os Gwelwch un dda
- Good - Da
- Welcome - Croeso
- Good morning - Bore da
- Good afternoon - Prynhawn da
- Good evening - Noswaith da
- How are you? - Sut mae?

  

There are many websites avaliable online that can give trustworthy translations of words or phrases. Below are just a few websites:

- Term Cymru

- Termiadur

- Gweiadur

 

References

Wales Cymru. ‘Welsh language (Cymraeg)’. 2014
http://www.wales.com/en/content/cms/english/about_wales/language/language.aspx [Accessed: 22nd October 2014].