What does theory ‘do’?

• The purpose of theory is to predict future

[Warning: Sometimes these presentations can be difficult to understand, without experiencing the accompanying lecture: The presentation is not a substitute for attendance at lectures]

• The purpose of theory is to predict future The purpose of theory is to predict future observations.

I might be wrong…

It has been my experience, that generally, students do not ‘like’ theory.Hence, my ‘theory’ is that most people in this room will not like or value theory…

What do you think?

When you read, you have to read with a purpose in mind….

…It is different to why and how we read for pleasure…

So…. What you reading fo’?

Let’s see what Bill Hicks says on the matter

Back to the assignments…

[Oh… by the way]

Hand in date

For the first assignment is:

4pm Monday 16th December

It will include:

2 CV’s: old one and an updated one.

A SWOT analysis in table format with very short summary.A reflective 750 word account.You will score better if you can reference this account with academic sources… (Loynes, 2013:01)

This is not a conceptually ‘difficult’ assignment…

We even made the hand in date after a weekend!

Yeah Yeah…

But what do you

need to put in the assignment!?!

[It is claimed….]

In the last 10 years; there have been over

600 new policies relating to working

children and families in various contexts…

‘What’ is a policy?

Find a small group to work with

• Ideally, everyone should be aiming to do a placement in a similar setting.

Draw a line across the back page of today’s pack, and write policies in the centre of the sector:Like this

In the sector underneath repeat the exercise with the word ‘theories’ in the centre.

How might you integrate these policies and theories into your ‘thinking’ about your SWOT and your ‘writing’ of the 750 word reflective piece?

Therefore:

Your reflective piece can be referenced with sources that relate to:1. Theories of reflection2. Policies relating to the sector3. Theories that inform practice in the sector

[Employers reported that students did not demonstrate knowledge in 2 and 3…]

The National Occupational Standards (NOS)

Wave some flags!

Wave flags?!? (Signify).

Signify to the marker that you are aware of your strengths, weakenesses, opportunities, threats in your imminent placement.

Signify that you are aware of the policy context of your placement (i.e. NOS, EYFS, National Curriculum etc)

Signify that you are aware of the influential theories that influence day-to-day practice in your placement sector.

Signify that you are aware of theories of reflection and that you can apply them in your writing.