Thoughts

Got quite a few responses from people over he last couple of days, and i was quite surprised at the response. The majority feel that traditional teaching methods are extremely useful (of course there are the odd one or two that hated it), and are necessary for personal growth. In all it seems that those studying graphic design tend to benefit and can then transfer the skills learnt at a later stage. As one guy wrote, if you have these skills, at least you have the choice of using them, if not, then you're limited; and i tend to agree with that.
I would like to illustrate the differences between the two schools of thought, but i don't believe they can simply be explained away as 'for' and 'against', that maybe abit too literal. The two tend to spill over into each other, but at some times are separate entities, and i feel that my dual book idea can work for this using text and imagery. I'm hoping to print and make the books myself, apart from spiral binding of course! It's a shame that there is so little time left; if i hadn't have faffed around at the start i could've really have gone into this with some more depth, as it stands with so little time remaining i may only be skimming the surface; which is a shame as i feel i've let myself down abit. But no point moaning, gotta get on with it and start some work.

Lots of emails

Lots of emails coming in now, with lots of different opinions; which leads me to believe that my editing of them might not be appropriate? It's just that if i did that, then i would only be selecting what i want people to see, which may be wrong for this project. I don't know. I think that all the thoughts generated here should be seen in their entirety, and not edited. All opinions are valid and if this project is to generate discussion/debate, then maybe everything should be seen, otherwise things could be taken out of context. Most are coming from students, but a few teachers too (which is good), and it would be good to publish the viewpoints of both. Will see what comes in over the weekend, and maybe publish some extracts from a few on the blog too.

Mass email sent

Just sent an email to everyone at Chelsea. About 30 bounced back, but got an interesting reply from someone almost immeadiately. Re worked the email about 3 times as i was worried about offending people, after all, i feel a bit bad questioning peoples' teaching methods. Hope i get a good response, hopefully i haven't offended anyone!

p.s. more coming in now, lots of interesting responses.

Slightly better visuals...

Might make things a bit clearer, realise the photo's were a bit dodgy. Take no notice of the text, it's just there as an example.

Some mock ups

Just mocked these 2 'books' up to give a better idea of what i mean, it's actually quite difficult as there are a few different combinations involoved in just 4 sheets of paper; quite confusing when it comes to printing as they're double sided too! I would like each page to make sense no matter what page was opened in either book. Looking a bit spartan at the moment, and you'll have to imagine the spiral binding down the middle, obviousely i wont do that at this stage.

Some ideas

Been farting around with some ideas, and i'm trying to work out a way of highlighting opposing attitudes. I thought of a book which can be taken apart (perforated in two) but don't think it'll work, at least not with the time remaining, and i wanted to include peoples' quotes and questions if possible, and to show that this is a issue that may never be agreed on; also asking the question may not answer anything and may only raise more questions; but that is a good thing, as it encourages discussion. Anyway, i think i've found a way to do this now. I've thought of two slimline landscape books that when laid side by side give an alternative view or approach. Each page would display either text such as a question, quote or image, with the corrosponding page from the other book either answering the question/quote or conflicting with it; or even posing another question. I've included a very rough visual of what i mean above.

New approach

Ok, no point moping, so decided to have another look at the dreaded original project and come up with something abit more sensitive (not like me i know!). Seeing as this is an issue that can only be resolved (if indeed it needs resolving) through dialogue, then this is what i shall try to encourage. I have thought of a book, with various questions, which i think is appropriate for this project as this is a subject that not everyone can agree on, least of all me; and this project far outstrips just what i happen to think. I would like it to be interactive and engage the reader, but i don't know if this is something that would be appropriate, or wether it's just the dreaded 'novelty' trying to seep back in, will have to keep that in check!
I would like to know other peoples' views on this, especially outside the group, so hopefully i can send a mass email out and get some feedback. I will try as far as possible to avoid novelty, and use text and image to promote discussion. I have been trying out a few things today like layouts, cutting and glueing etc just to see what it could look like; a process i really enjoy, i'm never happier than when i'm making something! Will post proper visuals when i've got a few more things going.

Text books...

This is one of my old Latin textbooks from school (orange and black, lush!) and it's sort of given me an idea. What with most if not all teenagers communicating in slang, adults are at a loss to understand them, as are also their teachers, highlighted recently in a report on the BBC. Teenagers being what they are, they can hardly be expected to suddenly start communicating in the Queens English, so if you can't beat 'em, why not join 'em? I wasn't just thinking of a glossy guide that just translates everything; i was thinking of proper textbooks (like the one above for example) that gives instructions on sentence construction, past/present tense, appropriate examples of slang in use etc, etc. Aimed obviously at adults/long suffering parents/teachers.
One of the reasons that kids speak (i feel) the way they do, is so that adults can't understand them; course this doesn't stop them moaning continuously 'you don't understand me!' Honestly i don't know how they cope...
Time for change. Wouldn't they get the shock of their lives to find that Mum is suddenly fluent in slang...

Always fancied learning another language...

Does anyone understand a word kids say today? Got to admit i'm hard pressed sometimes, my daughter could almost be talking another language. In a recent survey for the association of teachers and lecturers published today; it would seem that teachers are none the wiser either. Well fear not! Yet another 'Teacher spares' saves the day, and translates what seems like gobbledegook into the Queens English; just store it in your desk. Next time young Wayne tells you you're 'butterz', not only will you know exactly what the little sod means; but you'll also have the immense satisfaction of watching his crestfallen face as you give him a weeks detention.

I really should get an OBE for this...

More...

More handy stuff for the hard pressed teacher; pre filled report quotes! Say goodbye to writing 'is extremely disruptive' and 'is constantly late' for the millionth time. Just peel off and stick on said report; why spend an evening writing the damn things when you could be down the pub?

And another one...

Trading card pack idea, imagine having a class of happy, grateful, enthusiastic students? Play your cards right and you could have! A bit of light relief for teachers who wonder daily why they ever bothered in the first place. Course you have to feel sorry for the teacher who ends up with cards no one wants to trade, then has to go and teach them for real...

Another one in the pipeline...

Working on another 'Teacher spares' at the mo, this ones' a trading card set featuring students. A nice little diversion for teachers in the staff room; they try to aquire the students they want, and offload the students they don't. Preferably on that smug looking supply teacher over there... Who said swapsies was just for kids?!

Couldn't help this either...

Yep, done another one; this one's very special as today new legislation went through allowing teachers to restrain pupils, and about bloody time too. Hopefully this might have some impact on the 'you can't tell me what to do' mob. Anyway, here's a nice little pack to remind teachers to put the new legislation to good use. Just peel it off and stick it up in the staff room.

Just had a scary thought; does this legislation mean that Geoff is now allowed to thump us?

Just couldn't help it...

Ok, i admit this has absolutely nothing to do with my FMP, (well not directly anyway, but i just love making things) but i was on a roll with the teacher theme...so here we are, handy packs of self adhesive elbow stickers; ideal for those folk loving, bearded, underpaid teachers with only one decent cardigan or jacket to their name...

Doing this has given me ideas, but i'm worried my FMP will start to look like a shop!