Carolyn+O'Connor

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I began a full time lecturing career in January 1981 in Hairdressing until about 1984 and since then have been lecturing full time in Beauty Therapy and associated subjects in UK and Western Australia.

Presently I am a full time lecturer in Beauty Therapy and share the Coordination role at Fremantle Challenger TAFE. This technology was not available when I commenced my career, so I have been able to experience and be involved in the exciting new technologies which have evolved over the years since then.

I have been very fortunate in that I have had the opportunities each year to 'move with the times' and here I am today in March 2007 still undating my knowledge to meet the needs and demands of todays students, who seem to be so advanced in the technological world from a very early age.

What I would like to gain from this course is to beable to use the PDA within my coordination and teaching and assessment role within the college environment and for it to be available for use for assessment within the college salon environment. ie to use the PDA for the teaching and assessment of the theory subjects. ie. Anatomy and Physiology and Skin Science and Skin Biology where very graphic pictures could be shown and quizzes used in a much more interesting way for the students. I need to learn how to operate the video aspects of the PDA which would enable me to give instance feedback to students during their practical assessments. ie massage. Also to show sequences of treatment in a pictorial way.

Although there is so much more to learn about the PDA I feel much more comfortable after to-days work. I have more understanding of it due to the PDA basic training I enjoyed last year. I am understanding the terminology (which seemed like a new language last year) much more this session. What I have got out of to days workshop has been so valuable. I have much more understanding of the use of this technology which is so important now in the student learning environment.

Thanks to you both Susan and Frances for the excellent well paced day.
At the start of today's course we were asked to reflect on our last learning experience in Workshop 1. Studies show that reflecting on one's learning is key to a full learning experience so we were given questions as an exercise. It proved to be a very good experience with a positive outcome. It highlighted the need for one to one or group sessions for staff to consolidate our PDA work we have covered so far in these workshops. The first session has been organised. In Workshop 2 to day we progressed to the use of a video camera, digital camera and spy camera and recorded the Braiding of Hair demonstration and how to make a movie on movie maker. Very interesting. Complicated and so we now need to consolidate this learning when we meet for the next session. Thank you Susan. Most enjoyable day.