I think that the pg cert tutorial event that I had with my tutor Dr. Linda Aloyuis helped me, as it threw up questions around assumptions and attitudes that I may unconsciously carry, and it created a space for deep reflection that could contribute to my reflexive practice.
Description
My tutorial:
I had a tutorial with my tutor Linda for my pg cert. workflow portfolio.
I thought the tutorial was about how to use the workflow tool and how to use this new method to display my pg cert learning.
However, it was a scheduled tutorial aimed at workflow content.
Evaluation
Despite my misunderstanding about the purpose of the tutorial, where I learned that Lindsay is the person who advises on how to use workflow not Linda, I was still able to learn some things about what the pg cert. required.
I learned that the workflow space was about showcasing practice rather than demonstrating knowledge.
I learned that appropriate language to use for the pg cert should be accessible, reader sensitive and not one dimensional.
Actions
From this tutorial I was able to formulate and reflect on some action points to develop my learning on the pg cert.
Here they are.
1 change language
2 bring in a more personal dimension in discussions about my practice
3 think about my use of the word ‘privilege’, a term I had used in the tutorial with Linda that described my feelings about my journey throughout my 30-year career history of :
teaching in North America, Europe and Britain to ESOL students from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe; literacy students from many parts of the world living in Peckham; and neurodiverse students attending London universities- as Linda explained that the word ‘privilege’ could be perceived as ‘loaded’.
Feelings
When Linda flagged my use of this term privilege, I felt uncomfortable and regretted using this word that I had thought described my feelings about spending decades supporting people in their language or learning journey. Feeling very ashamed at my using this inappropriate word, I asked if we could just ‘abandon’ it. But Linda said, she would like us to ‘explore’ it.
Going forward
After careful consideration of Linda’s key points, I executed my action points.
I have re-written most of my blogs in a different voice.
I have tried to incorporate a more personal dimension into the workflow page and some images.
I have reconsidered my language describing my feelings about my teaching history.
Analysis
I made a language choice (with the word ‘privilege’) that may well be insensitive and convey a sense of a micro- aggression, as this term could be construed as an unconscious attempt to elevate me from my students.
Conclusion
Going forward, when speaking and writing to people, keep it simple and remember that the audiences that you are communicating to, don’t have the same shared history or commonalities.