JCSA Change: Why the Miyagi Method is Difficult

In the new JCSA English course, one very welcome addition is the fact that pupils will be given the chance to study film. One film that did not make the final cut into the course, but certainly should have, is the 1984 classic The Karate Kid. In the movie our young protagonist, Daniel Larusso, is being physically bullied. He wants to be able to defend himself and he wants to know how to do it now. He then meets a sage old local, Mr Miyagi, who tells him he can show him how. However instead of showing him how to defend himself by teaching karate, he starts to get Daniel to complete seemingly random manual chores around his house. Daniel is frustrated. He knows he has an immediate concern, defending himself, and he feels he is not getting what he was promised. Then one night this happens...and all becomes clear.



Miyagi did have a plan. He felt if he gave Daniel the skills he would need, then he would be able to pass any test.

I think teachers at the minute feel like Daniel. The anxiety caused by increased class sizes, extra working hours and wage cuts have left us looking for certainty in a rapidly changing work place. The new JCSA English course is not being rolled out into some cultural vacuum. It's being rolled out into a very particular context with existing structures and real people with real concerns. Teachers would like to know what is needed to teach this new course and they want to know now.

It's my belief that teachers at the minute feel the current in-service being provided is, like Daniel, asking us to do manual chores. Without any current guidance on final assessments or how moderation/quality assurance will be guaranteed, they don't particularly feel like another session of 'wax on/wax off'.

I attended my first in-service day on Tuesday and it compelled me to write this piece. I enjoyed it. I got ideas I could immediately bring back into the classroom and I thought it was well planned and delivered. But then I have been following developments for a while and knew the day was never going to be discussing assessment or moderation. There has certainly been positive feedback on the day but I have heard, and experienced, colleagues being at best angry at the day and at worst disengaged from the day. The main reason? They feel there is no plan. Many teachers have genuine concerns about assessment and moderation but at the minute that has been replaced by 'this is starting in September and nobody knows what is going on'. But Miyagi knows.

Junior Cycle Specification on Assessment
'Junior Cycle English will have two assessment components in the assessment for certification: a school component and a final assessment. The school work component will carry 40% of marks available and the final assessment will carry 60%.

The school work component will comprise two assessment tasks. The tasks will be spread over the second and third years of junior cycle and will relate to the student's reading, writing, and oral work during that time' (Continuous Assessment Tasks -Oral communication task & A collection of the student's text)

This looks like a plan to me. Does this look like a plan ? Does this look like a plan? Does this look like a plan? There has been some criticism that having 39 Learning Outcomes has made the new course too prescriptive, too rigid, too planned. What is it that we are looking for? I feel that in recent weeks and months the debate around Junior Cycle reform has shifted from legitimate concerns about the 'How' of change to an unnecessary muddying of the waters on the 'Plan' for change.

The reason the in-service doesn't deal with assessment, the reason the government have not published on assessment yet is because, I would suggest, they feel we don't need it. Without knowing, I would assume that it is almost certainly still being developed but even if it was ready, would starting with the exam be the best place to start? I think all parties involved wish to change the current junior cycle experience into something more engaging and relevant to modern societal needs e.g. use of digital technology. First year is an important part of the Junior Cycle course as it teaches key skills and learning outcomes, not preparation for the final 'test'. If we focus on what we clearly know and the methods suggested at in-service, many of which we already use, I don't see why First Years in September should be entering 'chaos'. Teaching is sill teaching. For teachers to continually go to the in-service day and become frustrated at the lack of information on assessment or moderation is an unnecessary exercise in mental self-flagellation.

Would we like to know karate right now? Yes. Are we going to know karate right now? No. Until all aspects of the course have been revealed I think it is redundant to argue over external or self-moderation, course content, final assessments etc. These are fundamental concepts and teacher consent to their final structure is not just preferable but mandatory for success. But we have to stop beating the 'there is no plan' drum. We may not agree with the content of the plan, the time scale of the plan or the ideological sources from which the plan grew but there is a plan. A very clear plan. I just hope that when the dust settles and the actual learning begins, we will see Miyagi did have method amongst all the madness.

We're back!

Estivation by Kathy Loglisci



NewEnglish Blog is back from its estivation and we're ready to go for academic year 2012/13. At the end of an Olympic summer, we say goodbye to a brilliant Sixth year group and welcome a new First year group to help carry the torch. We again hope to bring you a mix of pupils' work, helpful resources and Department updates across the year. If you have anything you would like to send us please get in touch or forward a link to newenglishirl@gmail.com .

 To get the year started, have a look at this infographic from LearnStuff.com on the importance of the use of technology for learning. Have a great year everyone!

Transition Year Music Video

Transition Year students particpated in a movie making module in their Media Studies Class in which they created their own productions. This music video was created by a group of students from TYA.

Desmond Egan Visit

for Benjamin Moloise by Desmond Egan

Desmond Egan, Irish poet, has a wide range of poetry and prose publications as well as translations and books of prose. His PEACE poem, was translated into hundreds of languages as part of a millennium celebration.

To date, Desmond Egan has published 23 Collections of Poetry; two of Prose and two Translations of Greek Plays. Athlone born, he is a full-time writer living and working near Newbridge in County Kildare.

Today Mr Egan came to the school and gave a poetry talk to our sixth year group. He is also a past teacher here in the school. We thank him for imparting his enthusiasm and love of poetry.

Pictured above is a signed poem that Mr Egan presented to the department entitled for Benjamin Moloise.

College Press: Easter Edition

Are you looking for news and reviews on all the latest music, games and books for the Easter season? Then look no further, as this month’s College Press is now available!

#NC140 Finalists

#NC140 Finalists

Be sure to click on the links below to go and vote for your winner!

Robert May ‏

We were always close, but that repulsive wheeze as the pain shot through her body could not stop me from praying "please, not again" (Sixth Year)

Alan Kelly

Shaun, the last person on earth sits down in his living room to have his dinner; he hears   a knock on the door. (Second Year)

Ellen Higgins

Mum’s gone, friends over, house fire. (Second Year)

Sam Burke ‏

We stood there brother against brother, our swords drawn. We inhaled and ran at each other as the golden sun rose over the trees.

(First Year)

Blathnaid ‏Corless

I lay in a hypnotic state. Exasperation and shock lay in the faces of those that surrounded me; with all but me knowing why. (Second Year)

Pupils can help the judges select their winner by going to the @NewEnglishIRL twiiter page and voting.

The voting page can also be found here.

Good luck to all of the finalists. The winner will be announced on Thursday March 29th with the winner collecting a 20 euro One-For-All voucher.

College Press

Extra Extra!

Come read the latest edition of our College Press magazine.

#NC140 Short Story Competition

#NC140 - Short Story Competition

A famous Short Story by Ernest Hemmingway : For sale; Baby shoes, never worn

A great story does not always have to be a long story. With that in mind, NewEnglish is launching a Short Story competition called #NC140. The competition is open to all parents, teachers and pupils of the College but can only be won by a pupil.

All you need to do is set-up a student Twitter account, don't use your personal one, write a short story in 140 characters or less and end your tweet with #NC140. Once your story is on the hashtag page you will receive an e-mail confirming your entry.

For full details about how to enter click here.

Hairytale Land

 Hairytale Land is a TY drama production.

As the TY production of Hairytale Land draws closer, the production team give us a quick insight into what to expect!







 

Hairytale Land – TY Drama Production

Newbridge College is to host a new and exciting Transition Year drama production this forthcoming May.  Hairytale Land is a facetious story that relays the bizarre situation of two ordinary school kids who are thrown into a strange world with fairytale characters they have only ever read about.  Katherine Murphy will be playing the fashion fanatic Amy, with Tom Higgins as the rugby star Tommy.  Their lives are altered forever when they find themselves in the territory of the evil, Black Snow played by Sarah Coller.  The situation worsens with the presence of the philandering and slimy Prince Sleazeball played by Mark Sutton; he is always waiting for any opportunity to use his excessive charm.  Amy and Tommy find many obstacles in their path but also some comedic performances from various famous characters.  A weird and wacky experience will be had by all.  Watch this space!  

Games for English

In his book English Games for Children Alan Maley outlines some creative ways to teach pupils the basics of English.

Social Media and Education

Below is a creative slideshow by Cristina Costa on how I.C.T. can be used in education today. The last slide translates into English as...

"Traveller, there is no road; you make your path as you walk"

Social media for teaching, learning, and researching

View more presentations from Cristina Costa

Welcome to NewEnglishBlog !

NewEnglishBlog is a Blog created by Eoghan Evesson from the Newbridge College English Department to promote the work of the pupils and Department members in the School. I hope it will be a resource for pupils, teachers and parents of the past, present and future.

Enjoy!