Cathy Thinks Cathy Writes

Not long ago I was speaking to a teacher whom I have known for a long time (although we don’t tend to cross paths that often) and much to my surprise he asked me if I was still blogging and that he was waiting for my next post. I told him (tongue in cheek) I was too busy chatting on Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo to spend anytime blogging. The truth is I have been flat out teaching, and learning how to teach differently, to a group of students who seem to think I know a lot more than I actually do. The best part about that is that I love learning about new things and as a teacher of IST (and now IPT) I have had to do a lot of learning lately. Due to a change in staffing in our department, I was asked to teach both Year 11 and Year 12 IPT classes until a replacement teacher could be found. I figured I could managed that for a week or two. Little did I know it would be 6 weeks and that I would have to prepare 2 assessment tasks and write the Year 12 reports in that time! I must have done a fair job because I was given the opportunity to continue teaching the Year 11 class and become the assistant ICT Coordinator for an interim period while the new ‘computer guy’ found his feet. I am very grateful for this opportunity as I figured it would enable me to do a lot more learning in this area. (I do have a goal to become an ICT Coordinator one day…but I know I have a lot to learn before I reach that goal). So for now I am going to follow the computer guy everywhere and learn as much as I can (and hopefully help him a bit too), assist my fellow teachers to do some really good things in their lessons. and of course continue to help my students learn to learn as much as possible about the wonderful world of technology.

Hi. I am Cathy and I have decided to join the world of blogging. I have been an avid reader of several blogs for over a year and figured I may as well write my own. I am an experienced teacher, having taught in the Catholic Education System in Sydney for 26 years. I have had many roles and taught many subjects including PDHPE, Science, Catholic Studies and Mathematics. In 2006 I was given the opportunity to teach a Year 9 Information and Software Technology class and I absolutely loved it. I think I learned nearly as much as my students! It was an eye-opening experience to see how much learning can take place in a classroom where the main focus is on doing and discovering. Together, my students and I created, presented, interacted, organised, communicated and most of all learned how to learn. I must have done a fairly good job as I was given the privilege of teaching these wonderful students again this year where we have joined the world of website designers and robotic engineers. Teaching a subject where all things technological change every few hours certainly keeps you on your toes but I have to say it is very rewarding when a student tells you that they have learned ‘so much’ and they really mean it.