Comparing
with the lessons we have had before, this one has been different. We have had
the chance to stay outdoors and know more about Gent.
Firstly, we have visited the Sint-Baafskathedraal
where “Het Lam Gods” was stolen years ago. I have never been inside the
cathedral and it has been interesting the activity we have done inside. Based
on a card, we have had the challenge to identify something from the cathedral
with the card. When I have gone into the cathedral, I’m used to observe
different aspects inside and outside the building. However, I think that it has
been a useful idea to implement with children. It is a way to make children
realise and observe what this historical building deeply.
Afterwards, we have gone to Design museum of Gent. We have had a paper with some
questions based on what we can find and discover in the museum. As we could
know, this museum is permanent and since January 1999 the accent in the
collections and exhibitions lies on 20th century and actual design. I have made
a tour through the museum having the opportunity to see a wide variety of artworks.
I really like the table that was made by books.
I have also seen the pieces of a vacuum. We are often
used to see the final product instead of seen the all process, some notes and
drawings of the inventor. In this museum I have the opportunity to see a
process of unknown product.
This lesson has been totally different and as far
as I concerned it has been inspiration source for ideas to take back home. In
my view, outdoors education has wide opportunities to learn and to find
examples or ideas to be implemented on education. It is believed that classroom
space is the correct place to give lessons and improve children skills as well
as acquire knowledge. But, we have to be aware what opportunities we have out
of four walls. This lesson was useful to reflect in my home town and think
about different spaces and places out of the school children could explore and
visit. As regards museums, in Vitoria-Gasteiz we have a wide variety of
museums:
- Artium, Basque Museum of Contemporary Art. Source: http://www.artium.org/
- BIBAT. Fournier
Playing Card Museum and Museum of Archaeology
- Museum of Natural Sciences
Moreover, in Vitoria-Gasteiz
there are many parks you can enjoy nature. The city is surrounded by green
files where you can cycle and walk. You can also find these green spaces in the
city center as well as in different neighbourhoods. For instance, all this
green files are a fantastic information source for children in order to carry
out school projects.
In conclusion, I have realise that every teacher
has to be conscious positive values and chances outdoor spaces gives to learn
and acquire knowledge. I think that is important to feel the reality of the
world with our eyes instead of interiorising with computers, television or
books. To be honest, I think that the education has to make the step to invest
more time in contact with real world.
Furthermore, this lesson has been useful to enhance
the importance to the idea of the process. As I have said before, we are used
to see the final product almost every time. For example, when we buy food,
clothes, books, computers, shoes… We are the ones that buy that product but we
do not realise of the process, the changes that products has had before it
becomes the element we have bought. From my point of view, in education is the
same; the have some challenges and expectations as regards pupils and we only
focus on marks, evaluation and what the children is able to do or not. But,
when we have taken time to observe how children learn, how they are learning,
what techniques and tools they used for that, what ideas they have on their
minds.
I will be pre-school teacher and the example is the
same. In Basque Country, we have to study four years to become a teacher. I
have been in my home country the first two years and a half, whereas I’m
finishing the third year here in Gent. Next
year is going to be the last year and I will have pre-school teacher degree
(final product). However, I’m convinced that my teacher profile will be
developing all the time with the experiences, and knowledge I will live during
years. I know that my teacher profile has been transforming, shaping and
creating since I was born and never will end. So I would like to say that I
will never be a product, only a product that will be in a continuous process.
I’m Mixifú. I know that you don’t know me but I
think that it is time to come to light and appear in this Blog. Although my contribution to this blog has been passive, I would like to invite you to be part of this free space as I do,
adding comments, thoughts, or point of
views. I would be very pleased to read them and know what you think about it. 
