Well I was in the lap of luxury on Sunday, I was invited for tea and cheesecake and a game of cards (rummy) with someone who works at the American Embassy - the cheesecake was the biggest I have ever seen and was delicious, there was real coffee and a host of other snacks. I told them about pudding evenings in the UK and they thought could be a good idea for Guyana. I am going round there this Sunday for a bridge evening, so the may be a possibility of more goodies. Treats have a bigger hit when you are living off bean stew and rice for the rest of the week.
Things at work have gone a bit potty, as we have been asked to write a training course for teachers in special needs schools IMMEDIATELY. That is really the problem, we get almost no management input for four months then suddenly the minister says something and everyone has to run around. Still it does make sense for us to leave a good solid course which covers the skills that we have. Fortunately one of us VSOs has the skills to transfer it into distance learning format, and they have time to do it (if their work doesn't take off by the time we have got the material together).
Also today a couple of us were called in to assist in a fact finding visit to the unit for the blind where I have been working mainly. We were told that it was to investigate a complaint that they were not doing anything, but in fact the person from the Ministry of Education was very fair, very interested and supporting change. He said he would try to get a separate grant from the ministry instead of having to go through the two mainstream schools all the time. So that may just work out well.
Tomorrow Friday and Monday we have VSO training days, which is a bit of a holiday really, so I'm looking forward to that. Cheers!
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Had a good trip to Linden. The training on Thursday went well, there were 19 teachers who attended out of possible 28. I did an hour of activities about inclusion, both of the pupil with visual impairment as well as other pupils with special needs. I had 10 teachers who wanted me to do some follow up with them, I saw five of them on Friday. I also did some follow up with the two staff in the support unit for the blind, about Jaws, which is the speech programme for the blind. I am writing them a noddy guide for the basics, and persuading them that it would be good to do a little bit every day with at least one pupil, so that it becomes normal. At the moment they either write the work bigger and ask the pupils to copy it, or they like to record it onto cassette - but they don't have a cassette player at the moment. So I am trying to get them to see that if the work is on the computer then it can be accessed any time - for revision as well. Then it transpires that what the support staff really need is IT support, as they don't have much idea about word processing basics. The longer you work with people the more needs they seem to have! I suppose it is a question of confidence to be able to admit that you don't know something.
At the other blind unit in Georgetown, I discovered that although they have a couple of computers with Jaws, none of the pupils use them. So I think I will try to get going on getting some of those staff to see the importance of opening the door to computers for these kids. The main barrier is that I am not much good at Jaws myself, but then I guess that is quite a good starting point as I can appreciate that a noddy guide is needed. If I can understand it then maybe they can...
Had a birding outing this morning with a group called Feathered Friends. They give guides in the Botanical Gardens to see the birds. As I go there every Saturday morning I already have quite a good knowledge of the birds and where you see them, so that made it easier to tune in to what they were showing us. They had a brilliant big telescope for getting a real close up - which is great - if they sit still long enough. The highlight for me were these really massive kingfishers, which we saw fishing in the trench, also peregrine falcons which were diving after parrots which were bigger than they were! I also got the names of some of the common birds that I am familiar with.
We had a walk along the sea wall afterwards, and admired the JCB which is stuck in the mud on the beach. You can see half the cab above the mud, and the big arm. It was trying to dig a trench for the new broadband cable. Someone will be in trouble... I cannot think how much it would cost to have a JCB transported to Guyana.
The Haiti earthquake is on the news all day - it seems quite close emotionally to people here, but is physically a long way away. Guyana is off the danger zone for earth quakes as well as hurricanes, although it does do a good line in flooding as Georgetown is below sea level - hence VSO give us upstairs flats. The last massive flood was 2005.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Getting work moving
Things are getting going at work.
I have finished setting up my latest project which is about motivating teachers by finding and sharing good practice of inclusive methods, within special schools and between special schools. The idea is that this would help special school build up their good practice so that they can eventually become centres of good practice, and so could advise other schools. At the same time I am introducing the idea of a functional skills system which is about breaking down simple skills (like arrival at school) into a sequence of small steps where progress can be tracked with different levels of guidance/support. I hope some teachers will pilot this with a pupil in their class. Another idea is using P-Levels which is used for pupils with learning difficulties in the UK who are working below the National Curriculum level 1. Again I hope this can be piloted in a small way.
I went to a school today to introduce these ideas and the head teacher is keen. So that is great.
Today I also did a training for mainstream teachers at the school which has a unit for the blind. Five teachers came which was better than expected, plus most of the support staff from the unit. Three of the teachers want to have further support, so that gives me a way in to try to get some small changes in methodology towards including the blind child in the class more.
Tomorrow and Friday I am off to Linden to do a similar training with staff in that mainstream primary school, also to do more support in the unit for the blind there. I won't be on a computer again for a few days.
It is a good job that I like being busy!!!
I have finished setting up my latest project which is about motivating teachers by finding and sharing good practice of inclusive methods, within special schools and between special schools. The idea is that this would help special school build up their good practice so that they can eventually become centres of good practice, and so could advise other schools. At the same time I am introducing the idea of a functional skills system which is about breaking down simple skills (like arrival at school) into a sequence of small steps where progress can be tracked with different levels of guidance/support. I hope some teachers will pilot this with a pupil in their class. Another idea is using P-Levels which is used for pupils with learning difficulties in the UK who are working below the National Curriculum level 1. Again I hope this can be piloted in a small way.
I went to a school today to introduce these ideas and the head teacher is keen. So that is great.
Today I also did a training for mainstream teachers at the school which has a unit for the blind. Five teachers came which was better than expected, plus most of the support staff from the unit. Three of the teachers want to have further support, so that gives me a way in to try to get some small changes in methodology towards including the blind child in the class more.
Tomorrow and Friday I am off to Linden to do a similar training with staff in that mainstream primary school, also to do more support in the unit for the blind there. I won't be on a computer again for a few days.
It is a good job that I like being busy!!!
Monday, 11 January 2010
Quiet Weekend
Had a peaceful weekend.
I have been doing my new hobby. I have borrowed a book from a friend which is called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. It is about how practising drawing exercises can increase awareness of switching from the left (verbal) side of the brain to the right (visual) side. I have been doing some of the exercises, which include copying drawings upside down (which pushes you into drawing what is actually there rather than what you think is there). Also drawing things when you are only allowed to look at the object, not the drawing. And the latest is about drawing the negative spaces around the object, not the object itself. Again this is so that you are concentrated on the shapes and spaces you are seeing, and not drawing from your idea of what the object should look like.
Had a party with choir on Saturday night, which was a big sit down meal, and afterwards some dancing. I did a couple of dances which went down quite well, and they did some group dances, one of which is called que que, which they do at weddings. It involves making up verses about people who are present and calling back the lines. I'm hoping to get someone to explain it so I can understand how it works. Last night I had a good bridge evening with VSO pals and cooked them a meal.
I have been doing my new hobby. I have borrowed a book from a friend which is called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. It is about how practising drawing exercises can increase awareness of switching from the left (verbal) side of the brain to the right (visual) side. I have been doing some of the exercises, which include copying drawings upside down (which pushes you into drawing what is actually there rather than what you think is there). Also drawing things when you are only allowed to look at the object, not the drawing. And the latest is about drawing the negative spaces around the object, not the object itself. Again this is so that you are concentrated on the shapes and spaces you are seeing, and not drawing from your idea of what the object should look like.
Had a party with choir on Saturday night, which was a big sit down meal, and afterwards some dancing. I did a couple of dances which went down quite well, and they did some group dances, one of which is called que que, which they do at weddings. It involves making up verses about people who are present and calling back the lines. I'm hoping to get someone to explain it so I can understand how it works. Last night I had a good bridge evening with VSO pals and cooked them a meal.
Friday, 8 January 2010
Busy busy.
Had a busy week, we have had to quite a few reviews, planning documents, mission statements, objectives, budgets and so on. We were also interviewed for the newspaper. They reported me saying lots of things that I didn't say, but the picture looked quite good.
On Saturday evening we have a party for choir, which is a meal out. I've been asked to organise some dancing afterwards - I don't have any music, so I'll have to sing. Should be fun anyway.
On Saturday evening we have a party for choir, which is a meal out. I've been asked to organise some dancing afterwards - I don't have any music, so I'll have to sing. Should be fun anyway.
Monday, 4 January 2010
New Year
Happy New Year to blog readers all.
Fantastic fireworks on Old Year's Night - the best fireworks I have ever seen. The army were setting them off. Is that good use of resources in a developing country? Well I'd say not really, but other people say that giving that boost to uplift people's spirits at the start of a new decade is worth it. Apparently last year there were meant to be fireworks, but they did not happen.
Had a lovely weekend break in Bartica, staying over with some other VSO vols. It is down the Essequibo River, so involved speedboat rides, which was great on the way down, but a bit overexciting on the way back as the boat engine was having problems. We got grounded on a beach while it was fixed. Fortunately once we did get going the engine kept going, and it did not go dark on us.
One of the VSO friends is working on getting computers into schools in remote areas by using solar power - and pretty successfully too. The other vol is working in a Learning Resource Centre, which was already set up, but she has improved and developed the work with teachers and classes. It was the best place I have been in while I've been in Guyana, and is acting as a model for a resource centre in each region, with some aid funding. The problem is always having someone to run it who can keep control of the resources as well as using it to run activities to improve the teaching and learning.
We walked to a monastery where there was mass in a little room overlooking the river. An idyllic setting. After the mass we walked with some people who attended down to their little golden beach on the river bank. Another idyllic place where we had a swim alongside some local children. Places like this are not public places, so if you go there you are walking over someone's space. You have to have long chats with the owners/occupiers to make sure they are OK about you going on their beach. They may well feel threatened, and as there are so many cows (with horns) and dogs galore, it is not very comfortable if you don't feel welcome somewhere. I took some photos, so next time I get some loaded I hope to include them on the blog.
Back to work today, the schools are back so I should be able to get moving on my various projects. We are being interviewed for the newspaper and radio on Wednesday.
Fantastic fireworks on Old Year's Night - the best fireworks I have ever seen. The army were setting them off. Is that good use of resources in a developing country? Well I'd say not really, but other people say that giving that boost to uplift people's spirits at the start of a new decade is worth it. Apparently last year there were meant to be fireworks, but they did not happen.
Had a lovely weekend break in Bartica, staying over with some other VSO vols. It is down the Essequibo River, so involved speedboat rides, which was great on the way down, but a bit overexciting on the way back as the boat engine was having problems. We got grounded on a beach while it was fixed. Fortunately once we did get going the engine kept going, and it did not go dark on us.
One of the VSO friends is working on getting computers into schools in remote areas by using solar power - and pretty successfully too. The other vol is working in a Learning Resource Centre, which was already set up, but she has improved and developed the work with teachers and classes. It was the best place I have been in while I've been in Guyana, and is acting as a model for a resource centre in each region, with some aid funding. The problem is always having someone to run it who can keep control of the resources as well as using it to run activities to improve the teaching and learning.
We walked to a monastery where there was mass in a little room overlooking the river. An idyllic setting. After the mass we walked with some people who attended down to their little golden beach on the river bank. Another idyllic place where we had a swim alongside some local children. Places like this are not public places, so if you go there you are walking over someone's space. You have to have long chats with the owners/occupiers to make sure they are OK about you going on their beach. They may well feel threatened, and as there are so many cows (with horns) and dogs galore, it is not very comfortable if you don't feel welcome somewhere. I took some photos, so next time I get some loaded I hope to include them on the blog.
Back to work today, the schools are back so I should be able to get moving on my various projects. We are being interviewed for the newspaper and radio on Wednesday.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Old Year's Night
In Guyana tonight is Old Year's Night, rather than New Year's Eve.
We are still "enjoying" Christmas events connected to work. Yesterday we had two Christmas meals. The first was at lunchtime for the Curriculum Unit at work - it was quite nice because before the meal everyone took turns to make a few comments about the past year - although the emphasis was on being very positive and thanking people. There is little room to be anything except positive as being otherwise is just seen as criticism and undermining the status quo.
The second was a Ministry of Education bash at the cricket club - free bar, free meal and extremely loud music making it difficult to talk to anyone. My flatmate and I dressed up (elegant casual) and turned up to find that the only person we knew was the minister of education. We had a little greeting chat to him. Later my local colleague showed up and introduced me to a few other big wigs. The meal was nice though - rice with bits in, chicken, turkey, duck, fish, potato salad, green salad, then ice cream to follow.
This week has been a bit frenetic as my house purchase in Hereford completed yesterday. Emails have been flying around in great numbers. The estate agent will hopefully be able to rent it out, pending my return in summer 2010.
This week at work we have been asked to make a list of all work visits, training and activities for the next four months. This is on top of the costs list for setting the budget. So that has given us a focus for reviewing and discussing what we are planning to do. It has been helpful to have that impetus.
On Wednesday we are going to be interviewed on the media, newspaper and audio, about our work in special needs. I am preparing to talk generally about inclusion: all children are different, all children can learn, all children have a right to learn - then how teachers can either teach in an inclusive way (for example doing practical activities) that different children can take part in different ways, then how teachers can have different expectations of different children and how to keep track of progress for individuals. My colleagues will talk about remedial reading, and about coordinating action across Guyana. Sounds OK??
Happy New Year - we have fireworks at midnight down the road - I have a good friend coming round and staying over, so maybe I'll stay up that late.
At the weekend another friend and I hope to make a visit to Bartica which is a minibus and hour speedboat ride away, up the Essequibo. We are staying with a very interesting older couple of VSOs, so there should be lots of interesting discussions. That's the best bit!
We are still "enjoying" Christmas events connected to work. Yesterday we had two Christmas meals. The first was at lunchtime for the Curriculum Unit at work - it was quite nice because before the meal everyone took turns to make a few comments about the past year - although the emphasis was on being very positive and thanking people. There is little room to be anything except positive as being otherwise is just seen as criticism and undermining the status quo.
The second was a Ministry of Education bash at the cricket club - free bar, free meal and extremely loud music making it difficult to talk to anyone. My flatmate and I dressed up (elegant casual) and turned up to find that the only person we knew was the minister of education. We had a little greeting chat to him. Later my local colleague showed up and introduced me to a few other big wigs. The meal was nice though - rice with bits in, chicken, turkey, duck, fish, potato salad, green salad, then ice cream to follow.
This week has been a bit frenetic as my house purchase in Hereford completed yesterday. Emails have been flying around in great numbers. The estate agent will hopefully be able to rent it out, pending my return in summer 2010.
This week at work we have been asked to make a list of all work visits, training and activities for the next four months. This is on top of the costs list for setting the budget. So that has given us a focus for reviewing and discussing what we are planning to do. It has been helpful to have that impetus.
On Wednesday we are going to be interviewed on the media, newspaper and audio, about our work in special needs. I am preparing to talk generally about inclusion: all children are different, all children can learn, all children have a right to learn - then how teachers can either teach in an inclusive way (for example doing practical activities) that different children can take part in different ways, then how teachers can have different expectations of different children and how to keep track of progress for individuals. My colleagues will talk about remedial reading, and about coordinating action across Guyana. Sounds OK??
Happy New Year - we have fireworks at midnight down the road - I have a good friend coming round and staying over, so maybe I'll stay up that late.
At the weekend another friend and I hope to make a visit to Bartica which is a minibus and hour speedboat ride away, up the Essequibo. We are staying with a very interesting older couple of VSOs, so there should be lots of interesting discussions. That's the best bit!
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