Evaluation

Overall this module has been a bit a bit up and down for me. There are positives I can pull form this module but there are also the negatives. First of all, I have struggled to find the time to complete this module with the schedule that I currently have and because of this schedule, being at uni at all has been difficult to get too. I think that one thing I have noticed form last year is that having that support group there at university is important and essential for some of these modules. 

Another aspect I have struggled with in this module is trying to get a placement. It took almost seven months before any primary school even considered taking me on. Out of the schools that I emailed only four got back to me and only one out of them offering me a placement. I felt that the schools that did reply but did not offer me space did so because I was an illustration student. To them, I was inexperienced and would not have been of any benefit to them. I think for me this quite disheartening and made the prospect of going on a doing my PGCE seem almost impossible.

With that being said, this course has definitely pushed me more to go out there and find a placement opportunity for not only this course but for my PGCE application. Without the course I think I would have delayed the process but this module has gave me clarity and a structure to follow to move onto the next step. It has also gave me the knowledge of the structure and goings on in a primary school classroom. With this knowledge, it should make me a more desirable student for the course.

Since having my placement at the school, it has also cemented the goal of becoming a primary school teacher. Again, without the module, I don't think the opportunity for me to volunteer in a primary school would have came around this quickly. The placement has also made me a more confident person, I am able to sit a teach a class of 20 without feeling overwhelmed or choking up. 

Its also been a wonderful experience to teach the younger students and help a little but with upcoming tests and skills to help them progress further throughout school.

If I could change anything about my placement, its that I wished I was involved with the more creative side of the day at a primary school. With doing a illustration course and then not actually being able to do any art or anything creative was a bit of a let down.

As a whole, I believe that the knowledge I have gained through my placements and from my own research into primary schools and some aspects of the professional world for illustration, is that experience, however small, is so important. I need to take any opportunity that comes my way as they can hold great benefits for my future self.