The C.A.S blog of Adam Hanif

When I first heard the news the CAS initiative project, I wasn’t particularly excited… until I was told that I could make up my own club. Now that was exciting!

At first, I did thought of different clubs—ahh, who am I kidding; I really wanted to open up my own Photography club! Awesome! I mean, what could go wrong? I am good at photography, what cant I not do?

Ahhh, if only I could go back in time and slap myself hard; twice…

To begin with, I like to establish that during the time I was pretty much a student of my own (as I am still now), and the issue arise was that I had no teaching experience before. Ever. In my life. The second point was I neglected the use of planning out the lessons; hey, I liked improvising. And lastly, my students were my friends; if its one thing I learned that if you have friends as students, who knows you well, will not cooperate as much as possible. They were mean to me.

The club was held on Wednesday’s lunch time from 12.00 till the next lesson. It was held in the Art room, a room where I can exploit everything (for the sake of my students off course…).

So it was a struggle the whole way, but I never gave up teaching until the third term of IB year 12. On the good days of the lessons, they actually understood some factual information that improved their photography. One student with no experience with the camera, who I force to come and support my lessons, actually is now an enthusiast. On special occasions, I did special lessons where everyone had a chance to use Photoshop, a photo-editing software, as a tool that will help to improve the look of their captures.

The last few lessons were the most successful lessons held as I began to develop a path where I know where to start and end of that lesson as well as improving cooperating with my students. When I had to evaluate some of the students who worked under me, I asked them the views of the class and to my surprise, they appreciated the lessons I provided.

I was reluctant to say if I successful learnt anything successful other then the importance of being thorough and organised to ensure the lessons go well; but experiencing this activity gave myself thought on towards what a teaching career would feel like. I think the importance of the emphasis being a teacher is that there is a need to cooperate with students whenever, wherever; during our free time and outside the class sessions.

Because of this activity, I now know how teachers feel like to be under the spotlight with the attention and pressure they receive from us students. This however does not lead me to sympathise for teachers, but more of “hmmm, I know how you feel…” attitude.

Overall, the fact that I establish to some of my friends that I am an experienced photographer and I am knowledgeable in the area shows that I feel more superior then them; though, it was unfair for me to win the school’s calendar photography competition… (Because none of my students entered for it anyway)