A day of running 2 different science programmes online has fueled my non-enthusiasm towards them.
The inability to run actual physical activities for a science programme that is non-abstract is a real sticking point for me.
I get that schools are apprehensive about running full-scale programmes, and I appreciate the comparative simplicity of teaching life skills and even coding skills through a virtual format.
But physical sciences require physical activities to learn them properly.
Virtual labs are alright at a pinch, but there were so many incidents during the programmes when I was thinking,
"This would have been so much more impactful and enjoyable if we were doing the real thing".
Again, I understand the situation that we are in, but it's really not doing the students any favours.
Teaching in Schools, Showcases, Elective Modules. All That Jazz.
There's something I really enjoy about running education programmes in schools - Showcases.
This typically happens at the end of Elective Modules (where students get to pick a topic they’re interested in that the school has invited trainers to come in and train on).
Examples of Elective Modules (EMs) have included aeronautical engineering, automotive engineering, coding and programming, fashion design, barista skills, health science and healthcare, life sciences, and so on.
There are a few schools that seem rather opposed to the idea of Showcases for some reason, but I’ve always found them to be one of the most valuable parts of running an education programme.
What better way to learn than to teach someone else what you’ve learned?
Of course, due to pandemic, Showcases are pretty scaled down now. At most, they are restricted to their individual rooms, and only the teachers and other school leaders go from room to room.
The experience is, undoubtedly, diminished, but I maintain that it's better to have a lesser experience than nothing at all.
I Spent Two Months Plus Doing These Things During Singapore's Circuit Breaker
Now that Singapore’s Circuit Breaker has entered Phase 2, with limited openings of certain establishments, I suppose we could say that we are starting to get back to some sense of ‘normal’.
Perhaps this is a time to take stock of what I’ve done over the past 2 months or so.
The main achievement?
I produced 4 sets of curriculum/content.
Namely,
1) Forensic Investigative Skills
The original purpose for this one is for the school market, of course. This will be put to use in July, as long as schools remain open.
That said, I think that it will be both useful and fun for adults as well. The skills, after all, are used in our everyday lives - information gathering, observation, problem solving, and so on.
I’ll have to see who I can talk to to get this started.
2) Health Science
Again, this was made for the school market, but can be useful for those who have aged parents and/or children to take care of.
3) Harnessing Your Quiet Strengths
Now, this one has a little story behind it. It was originally developed for Introverts Network Asia (INA), but things have tapered off for this, so I never finished it, leaving it half done.
I decided to just finish it up. At least I now have a set of curriculum ready to go should I need it, either live or, perhaps, as an online course.
It is, as expected, aimed at introverts and helping them to make use of the strengths that they perhaps regard as insignificant, but are actually highly valuable.
I see this as an accompaniment to The Introvert Teacher, and intend to have them linked together.
4) 4D Your Message
This is my take on communication skills, slightly angled towards newer educators/trainers, but can definitely be used by anyone who wants to get their message out.
This, too, has a story behind it. It was originally conceived for online delivery as part of an initiative by an organisation. But, as with the previous set of content, this, too, fizzled out.
I decided to just have it finished up.
My main thought at the moment is figuring out how to bring these things to more people once Circuit Breaker properly ends.
I've considered online training, but the activities, especially for the first two, are best done live. I could potentially redesign them, but it’s A LOT of work.
Alternatively, I could have them converted to videos and sell an online course. I’m not sure yet.
I’m also finishing up a project I started 2 years or so ago - my book on gem buying, titled A Gem of a Deal.
The good news is:
A Gem of a Deal is NEARLY finished! Yay!
Here’s a cover I designed for it. It may not be the final version, but I’ll use it for now.
I’ll put more information up on Loupin Jewels.
Yes, I designed it myself. Photoshop and Illustrator. ;)
Photographing gems!
It’s quite a long story behind this, but I’ve started to photograph gems again. This time, the results look pretty good, even if I do say so myself.
Sapphire Crystal
Garnet Crystal
Prehnite Cabochon
Emerald Piece
And, of course, I’ve been collating some of my old photos.
It’s been a fairly productive couple of months, I’d say.
Here’s to an even more productive 2 months ahead!
Developing Curriculum In These Uncertain Times - Preparing For The Future
So here we are, in the middle of a slowdown (not quite a shutdown yet) in Singapore.
Schools are closed, as are many retail stores.
Food outlets, markets, and supermarkets are still open, to ensure that everybody can still buy food and necessities.
This would normally be a very busy period for freelance trainers in schools. However, since the schools aren’t open, all programmes have been postponed, cancelled, or unconfirmed.
There is an upcoming one in mid-May that I am developing curriculum for, but there is this sense of uncertainty. What if the schools are shut for an extended period of time?
Well, I can worry, or I can just forge ahead and do what I’m supposed to.
Even if this school doesn’t go ahead with the programme, the curriculum can still be used for future school programmes. Since the topics are gaining popularity, it shouldn’t be a problem to secure future projects.
So, instead of wasting time worrying about whether or not I will get to use it, I’ll just have it ready.
Well, back to work, then!
Preparing for the future requires present sacrifice!
