Term Time!

Today’s officially the first day of semester for the University of Canberra… probably the earliest starting uni in Australia, they’ve commenced having a half-length winter semester mid year. If I ever decide to head back and do a teaching qualification it will really come in handy, but for now it just means getting my brain into gear by Sunday, as I have my first face to face workshop day on Valentine’s day. Aww.

I’ve ordered my textbooks, have my unit outline for one subject – There’s close to fortnightly assessed items! This is for the first section of my mini research project… there’s a lit review due week 3! And I don’t even know my topic! *pressure*

I have my study leave mostly sorted, it looks like I’ll take fortnightly Friday mornings on study leave and a couple of hours to cover the rest of the day on flex – which I’m already starting to build!

Lots of new things this term – I’ve been allocated 7 classes at the special primary school, which will be fun and challenging – One thing I’ll have to get my head back into is mealtime management/swallowing assessments. I know it, I just haven’t done it for awhile now.

Another good thing will be getting to trial communication devices, like the DynaVox V, which is so cool for a little nerdling like me ;) I would totally get it in Pink if I ever needed one!

Actually, and I think I’ve posted about it before, one of the coolest AAC devices out there is the Proloquo2Go, a must see for you iphone nerds out there. It’s basically and iphone/itouch with voice output software built in. Perfect size!

Communication

One of the subjects I’m doing this semester involves posting weekly on the online Moodle system about the set readings… Then reading and respoding to the other students’ postings.

Week 1′s topic is change, and reactions to change within the sytem at all levels. Change brings all sorts of emotions and challenges – as does reading and responding!

Supposedly, communication is my expertice (spelling isn’t. Is it ise or ice?), and I love an online discussion, but it seems I am part of the first (of more, for sure) misunderstanding. Choice of terms (I think my use of ‘reluctant’ may have been interpreted with negative connotations – remember, there are trur synonyms) has had one respondant interpret my response as a mild attack, perhaps reflecting both of our attitudes.

I’m looking forward to meeting my classmates on Saturday – a long day starting with a 3 hour drive with 4 of them! I think I may be the youngest in the group, reading their intros. Not an uncommon situation for me to be in though!