Korrine Miller

The Role of Today's Teacher by Korrine Miller

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I believe the role of today’s teacher is a complex one with many factors impacting on the outcomes for both the student and the teacher. Due to this reason I have placed the teacher and student linked at the centre of my model because of the importance of the relationship between the two. They are then surrounded by the school, parents and the wider community, as Killen (2005, p. 40) points out, the views and beliefs of these groups can greatly affect ‘Quality Teaching’ by the values they place on education. The model being place in a circle represents an ongoing cycle where all things relate to each other and a successful educational outcome depends on all areas being brought together.

 

Around the outside of the greater circle I have included four areas that I believe a teacher needs to be knowledgeable in and take into consideration of including teaching, learning, the curriculum and the environment. I have then broken each area into 3 key components. I have taken components from Latham, Blaise, Dole, Faulkner, Lang and Malone (2006) such as pedagogy, acknowledgement of learning styles and needs and connecting with the greater community. Most of the ideas for my model have come from Whitton, Sinclair, Barker, Nanlohy and Nosworthy (2010), I have added planning, implementing and evaluating to the curriculum area, content knowledge, process and products, as well as personal quality and attributes.

The model also represents the importance of focusing on the elements that support the learner to ensure that learning experiences are motivating and hands-on. Renzulli (1994), presents three areas that are important to the learner, abilities, interests and learning styles. I believe these elements along with collaboration and partnership between the teacher and the student highly contributes to a positive and successful educational experience.

 

References

 

Killen, R. (2005). Programming and assessment for quality teaching and                           learning. South Melbourne: Thompson. 

 

Letham, G.,  Blaise, M., Dole, S., Foulkner, J., Lang, J. & Malon (2006).          

            Learning to teach: New times, new practices. South Melbourne:                               Oxford

 

Renzulli, J. S. (1994). Schools for talent development: A practical plan for                           total school improvement. Mansfield Centre, CT: Creative               

            Learning Press

 

Whitton, D., Sinclair, C., Barker, K., Nanlohy, P. & Nosworthy, M.          

            (2010). Learning for teaching: Teaching for learning. Victoria:           

            Thompson