MORE ABOUT GENT

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/

• Armory Museum.

• BIBAT. Fournier Playing Card Museum and Museum of Archaeology

 

• Museum of Sacred Art

• Museum of Fine Arts

• Museum of Natural Sciences

• Museum of Lanterns

• Open-air museums.

• Montehermoso

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.