Post-LJ Reflections

What did you enjoy about it? How can you design and use learning journeys for effective learning in and out of your classrooms?

Like Ada, it was my first time at Maxwell and the URA building, and I enjoyed just letting loose and playing (perhaps a bit too much)/role-playing the secondary school students we're going to be teaching. Like the kids, I was easily bored by the information overload at the URA museum and avoided almost all the words, only looking at the pictures, videos and models. Based on this wisdom, I would definitely design my worksheets for LJs such that they don't focus too much on the nitty-gritty or the the words and more on the big picture or on the multimodals like the pictures, video and models. I also saw how important recces are in planning LJs so you see where exactly you need permission to stand in the lobby of the building etc. I think we could get away with being shooed by security (honestly one of my favourite parts of the LJ, so fun!), but for a class of 40, I'm sure it requires contacting the building management beforehand etc.

There was a group of kids on a fieldtrip from Northland Primary I think, and Christon and I observed/stalked them for a while. I noticed how well the teacher controlled them, leading them like a tour guide and asking them questions at their level to get them thinking. I would perhaps do the same, keeping the "tour" segment to no more than 10 minutes then letting them roam around on their own on the condition that they behave themselves. I also learnt the importance of keeping to time and giving clear instructions, making sure everyone knows that we're supposed to gather at X at a certain time. 

I really like planning events, so I will definitely plan LJs in future to bring my kids out of the classroom. I know it shouldn't be just for fun and it should be meaningful and educational etc but why shouldn't it be fun too? The kids deserve a memorable experience and I think as long as you can keep them under control, you can have some pretty fun activities! You could also always cheat (somewhat) and just engage a vendor for your field trips of course, but I think organizing it yourself would be rewarding too. The preparation will kill you though, so I think teaming up with several colleagues would help ease the burden and give the kids a variety of activities from various subjects, from English, Maths/Logic (how many steps/stairs are there in the One Raffles Place building?), Art, History, Geography, maybe even Home Economics (they could make sandwiches in Home Ec to eat by the Singapore River) etc. The possibilities are endless! Perhaps like in the chapter by Faisal Aman a whole package could be organized weaving in topics required to be covered in curriculum so the LJs are relevant and not one-off.