My profile for EpCoP MOOC

I’m an ESL Teacher and Home Tutor Coordinator at Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre in Melbourne, Victoria – a registered training organisation. I teach the newly arrived migrants (adults) and train volunteers to teach the migrants who are unable to access classes. I’m also the Resources Officer – spending $$$!

I have come to love all things *e* after I completed the Reflect and Connect Course with Coach Carole, Pauline Wilson and Junita Lyon. Nine years ago when I migrated to Australia I knew very little about computer based learning. But when I had to submit all assignments electronically for my Dip Ed at La Trobe Uni I had to push myself to learn. Now I cannot do any work without my computer and iPhone and love the digital world - my PLN has grown so much! And I’ve started reflecting - blogging!

There are challenges – as I work in the community sector resources are limited, but there is a lot of potential and hope. I try to instil that hope in myself, my colleagues and students.

I hope to bring to the EpCoP MOOC as a Volunteer Challenge Mentor the passion I have for e-learning (as I know that is the only way forward) and offer constant support and encouragement that I always get.

EpCoP MOOC Post 1

- What are your hopes/fears for this course?

I cannot thank Coach Carole, Pauline Wilson and Junita Lyon enough for helping me to establish my digital identity through the Reflect and Connect Course. Now I hope to extend that learning with the EpCoP MOOC.

However, I fear lack of time again / my inability to manage my time..............

- What areas of your life do you plan to reflect on in your e-portfolio?
Teaching and learning...............

- What will success look like for you after you take this course?

Sweet :-) 

http://careersuccess.typepad.com/.a/6a0105360968fe970b012876bca67f970c-800wi

Term 3 2011 and EpCoP MOOC

What a fantastic start to aother term!

Last term was very disappointing - frozen shoulder + sick leave + no classes + no home tutor training or matching clients + flu + more sick leave + vertigo + missed the Volunteers' Dinner after putting in all the hard work :-(

So hopefully I've had enough  - I don't want to be sick any more. I want to create fantastic Units of Work as is required by DIAC as part of the new AMEP Contract. This has added some excitement to teaching/learning! And I'm very much looking forward to participate in the EpCoP MOOC.

e-portfolios for starters

End of Term 2

End of Term 2 - Hectic week with Evaluations and End of Course Reports, but very happy for some students as they move up to Level 2 - Congratulations! And well done to the others for a fantastic term of learning English!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

mooc

What a week!

We had a fantastic start this week at Glenroy Neigbourhood Learning Centre. My ESL classes completed all the assessments for this Semester (excepting a couple who were absent). Refugee Week was celebrated on 22 June. We had great speeches - heart rending! Thank you to Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre and our manager Neil Klemm for a generous Morning Tea.

Then our class went on an excursion -  Melbourne Aquarium - I had 23 Ss, 2 kids and 2 volunteer tutors - wow - we had a fantastic time!

 And tonight we celebrated The National Volunteer Week 2011 (belated as it was in May) - Kudos to our tutors. They are an inspiration! I was very disappointed as I could not be there personally to congratulate them (damn my vertigo - why did it happen today of all days), but I was there in spirit.

 Photos of the Excursion and Refugee Week 

Back to my other home

When I went to work on Monday 9th May, one of my colleague's said "Welcome Home Manjit"  - Yes I felt like I had retuned home after almost 4 weeks of sick leave. Each and every one asked me how I was going, teachers and students have offered to carry my folders for me - clean the w/b for me - even get me a glass of water!!! Some Ss made a lovely card and gave me a welcome back gift. Simple words like "we missed you" had a lot of meaning for me. And the lessons have been great. The new Ss have been very warm and have settled in very well.
 There are meetings lined up including Validation and Induction as the new AMEP contract kicks in next Semester. Will also have to create Units of Work soon with a settlement focus (which I love doing). So a very busy Term 2. I hope to God that my shoulder heals fast. I would hate to miss all this.

Thank you Reflect and Connect

The assignments for Reflect and Connect have all finished. The results are coming in slowly - *competent* for each assessmnet, the forum posts are now only from the facilitators! I miss the Monday Elluminate sessions, but I'm glad that I've connected with some of the participants on Facebook.What a fantastic course! THANK YOU to the facilitators Junita Lyon and Pauline Wison for introducimg me to a fantastic world of tecnology. I would've never joined Twitter or blogged.