Marsh, C 2008 Becoming a Teacher: Knowledge, Skills and Issues. , Pearson Education, New South Wales
Cope, B 2008 How to Plan for Behaviour Development and Classroom Management: Maximising Student Engagement, Pearson Education, New South Wales
Department of Education, Science and Training 2005, http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/Framework_PDF_version_for_the_web.pdf National Framework for Values Education, retrieved 5th June 2009
Rouse, M About Inclusion, video recording, Journey to Excellence, Learning and Teaching Scotland, Journey to Excellence, Scottish Government accessed from ItunesU 4th June 2009
Including All Pupils (Empowerment Dimension), video recording, Journey to Excellence, Learning and Teaching Scotland, Scottish Government, accessed from ItunesU 4th of June 2009
Arthur-Kelly, M et al Classroom Management: Creating Positive Learning Environments, 2006, Thomson Learning, South Melbourne
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Who I am as a Teacher
The teacher I want to be is constantly evolving and changing every day.
One of the things I believe in strongly is using a proactive approach to my classroom management. I feel like this would not only keep my students engaged but it will allow for preventative discipline. To do this I aim to plan for "diversity, variety and versatility" (Kelly et al 2006) in my lessons. By planning for diversity I would be making my lessons worthwhile and enjoyable for everyone by ensuring I have materials and options for all students in the class for all types of abilities. When planning for variety I would "...include a variety of activities within a lesson so that students do not become bored" (Marsh, 2008, p. 87). To plan for versatility I would consider some back up options "...in case the lesson does not go well." (Marsh, 2008, p. 87). By doing these things I believe I can create an environment in my classroom where my students can be supported, included, challenged, engaged and made to feel safe.
When teaching I would also like to make sure the students are constantly being challenged with the materials they work with for class activities. ICT is a very big aspect of a student’s life and to not incorporate that into the classroom would be devastating. It is a fact that "...learners in the 21st century are surrounded by an information-rich environment" (Marsh, 1997, p. 193) and students are very internet and computer savvy. To not include these things in the curriculum would be a shame because it would stifle not only their learning but my learning also. I think that it should be a requirement for teachers to "...broaden their instructional base and to explore the use of different resources and methods" (Marsh, p. 194).
Through my practicum I have found that the times in which the students are the most engaged and excited are when they are doing activities that stimulate their mind. This is why I want to incorporate many different activities into my teaching so that the students can get the best out of learning.
One of the things I believe in strongly is using a proactive approach to my classroom management. I feel like this would not only keep my students engaged but it will allow for preventative discipline. To do this I aim to plan for "diversity, variety and versatility" (Kelly et al 2006) in my lessons. By planning for diversity I would be making my lessons worthwhile and enjoyable for everyone by ensuring I have materials and options for all students in the class for all types of abilities. When planning for variety I would "...include a variety of activities within a lesson so that students do not become bored" (Marsh, 2008, p. 87). To plan for versatility I would consider some back up options "...in case the lesson does not go well." (Marsh, 2008, p. 87). By doing these things I believe I can create an environment in my classroom where my students can be supported, included, challenged, engaged and made to feel safe.
When teaching I would also like to make sure the students are constantly being challenged with the materials they work with for class activities. ICT is a very big aspect of a student’s life and to not incorporate that into the classroom would be devastating. It is a fact that "...learners in the 21st century are surrounded by an information-rich environment" (Marsh, 1997, p. 193) and students are very internet and computer savvy. To not include these things in the curriculum would be a shame because it would stifle not only their learning but my learning also. I think that it should be a requirement for teachers to "...broaden their instructional base and to explore the use of different resources and methods" (Marsh, p. 194).
Through my practicum I have found that the times in which the students are the most engaged and excited are when they are doing activities that stimulate their mind. This is why I want to incorporate many different activities into my teaching so that the students can get the best out of learning.
The Unit So Far
The unit so far has been insightful and engaging. It has taught me many things that I would not have previously considered. One of these is the idea of Classroom Management
Classroom Management
Classroom Management
The idea of the classroom management spectrum is very intuitive. As you can see from the diagram, there are three types of classroom management. I believe to be a good teacher you need to incorporate a little of each with the most important being the ' Non Interventionist '. The Non Interventionist will include lots of planning and provide the student with lots of guidance and expectations in order for them to be able to behave appropriately in the classroom. I believe that if the students know what is ahead, they will be more likely to adapt appropriately. An example of this is creating a set list of rules for the classroom. As Bob Cope points out "all teachers have rules; the difficulty facing students is that some teachers don't explain them." (2007, p 21). Students need clarification if they are going to follow the rules and I think this is very important. I also think it is very important to allow students to help create the classroom rules. Cope also states that "contribution by students to rule making ensures ownership and hence compliance" (2007, p 21). By allowing the students ownership you are being a Non Interventionist as you are setting the boundaries for the future.
I think it is also important to be an interactionist. An interactionist interrelates with the children when they do something 'wrong'. The teacher then establishes whether this can be helped or whether it is a wilful act or if it is a problem beyond the student’s control. If it wilful then it can be dealt with accordingly.
While I think it will be important to be an Interventionist I believe this will be a last resort. Hopefully, if my classroom management is good then I will not need to be the interventionist.
Overall, I believe it is important to be proactive in the classroom. Everything in the classroom should be planned appropriately to constantly engage, challenge, support, include students and make them feel safe.
Inclusion
Inclusion is a very important part of the classroom. Not only including all the students as individuals, but including all cultures, genders and backgrounds is very important.
Through my practicum I have learnt that it is very hard to include all students constantly. There is always going to be a time in the classroom where a child does not feel included. I think there are certain techniques that can be implemented to make sure students are included. In my practicum I found that in younger year levels, when working in groups the groups should be set out for the students. In my practicum I observed a grade 5/6 P.E. class and the teacher asked the students to get into groups of three. There were three students left at the end who were upset that their friends left them out and were forced to participate together. This meant that they were unenthusiastic and they looked uncomfortable with each other and did not complete the task in a fitting way. In these situations I think it is important to be inclusive by choosing groups for the students. This way the students feel as though they didn't have a choice so they have to make the most of it.
Inclusion in the curriculum is also important. I believe it is important to be inclusive in the curriculum set out for students and make sure the ideas and examples being given are not biased to any group of people.
To include all students no matter what their background, ethnicity or gender is important and although it is hard I think if it can be maintained it will be very worthwhile.
Inclusion is also "about the process in which children are encouraged to participate within the school in a meaningful way" (Rouse, Video Recording). The following video discusses ideas on inclusion, what it means and how schools can learn to include all students.
Martyn Rouse "About Inclusion" Learning and Teaching Scotland, Journey To Excellence.
Challenge and Engagement
Providing students with a challenging and engaging classroom is extremely important in classrooms today. Students are constantly engaging themselves at home with technology and this also needs to be reflected in the classroom.Using ICT in the classroom is becoming more and more popular and I think this is a very good way to challenge and engage students. There are limitless amounts of ways that students can become actively challenged and engaged in their work by providing them with resources that stimulate and amuse them.Like Colin Marsh points out, students are engaged when they are "conducting authentic and multi-disciplinary tasks, participating in interactive learning and learning through exploration" (Marsh, p. 105). These things can be achieved easily in today's classroom.
By using the internet, CD-ROMS, games, videos, DVD's, podcasts and more we can actively ensure the students are engaged with their work. It can also provide a challenge for the students as they constantly need to be involved in their learning.
By ensuring we provide a challenging and engaging classroom we are able to increase student’s participation levels and enthusiasm. This also relates to the idea of students learning on their own accord rather than having a teacher driven classroom. I strongly believe that the teacher’s role is to be facilitator.
By using the internet, CD-ROMS, games, videos, DVD's, podcasts and more we can actively ensure the students are engaged with their work. It can also provide a challenge for the students as they constantly need to be involved in their learning.
By ensuring we provide a challenging and engaging classroom we are able to increase student’s participation levels and enthusiasm. This also relates to the idea of students learning on their own accord rather than having a teacher driven classroom. I strongly believe that the teacher’s role is to be facilitator.
Safety
Safety encompasses many things. I think it is very important when teaching to make sure students are safe and not in any form of danger but I also think it is important for students to feel mentally and emotionally safe.
Eliminating dangers and possible threats from schools is very important. It is also important to ensure students feel safe in the classroom when they are working. Who they sit next to, who they work with in a group and the work they are doing are all incorporated in to this.
In my classroom I want to make sure that students feel safe and supported by constantly ensuring the tasks I set are appropriate for the class I teach. I don't want my students to feel threatened and scared to come in to my classroom. One of the things I would seriously consider in my classroom to ensure the students feel safe is introducing activities based on multiple intelligences and learning styles. I think that if the children feel confident and safe to take on a task in their own learning style, even if it is a very difficult challenge then they will be more likely to stay on task.
Eliminating dangers and possible threats from schools is very important. It is also important to ensure students feel safe in the classroom when they are working. Who they sit next to, who they work with in a group and the work they are doing are all incorporated in to this.
In my classroom I want to make sure that students feel safe and supported by constantly ensuring the tasks I set are appropriate for the class I teach. I don't want my students to feel threatened and scared to come in to my classroom. One of the things I would seriously consider in my classroom to ensure the students feel safe is introducing activities based on multiple intelligences and learning styles. I think that if the children feel confident and safe to take on a task in their own learning style, even if it is a very difficult challenge then they will be more likely to stay on task.
Support
Supporting students is very important. Support can come in many shapes and forms...from letting the students know that their teacher supports them to creating environments where students can feel supported by their peers.
I think that it is very important to let students know that their teachers support them. It is also important that their parents know they are supported also. An example of this is illustrated in the 'National Framework for Value's Education' where it is explained that "...parents, caregivers and families are the primary source of values education for their children but they expect support from schools in this endeavour" (2005, p.6). This shows that schools need to support not only the students but the parents also in raising their children the correct way. In this context, schools are also encouraged to create a supportive environment where they can "...develop programmes and strategies to empower students to participate in a positive school culture and to develop their local, national and global responsibility" (2005, p. 11). By doing this, schools are allowing students to mature as individuals in a supportive environment while encouraging them to do the right thing.
The way a teacher disciplines their students is another form of support. It is important for the teacher to "...isolate the problem and communicate his/her awareness of it to the student concerned without making it a while-class issue" (Marsh, 2005, p 87). This is supportive for the student because if it is a minor indiscretion, which all students will have, it allows them to not become embarrassed. By embarrassing the student you are not supporting them and could most likely cause more problems as they are getting the whole class' attention.
http://www.valueseducation.edu.au/verve/_resources/Framework_PDF_version_for_the_web.pdf
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