Korrine Miller
Teacher/Student
Standard 1
Know students and how they learn
1.5
Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities (AITSL, 2012).
In week 3 of the unit Introduction to Teaching (EDP 120), I was required to develop a lesson plan that considered the age of the students, the learning area and its links to the Australian Curriculum as well as the children's prior knowledge and experiences. In order to plan successful outcomes for students it is imperative that the teacher understands the current abilities of students and the next objective that will further their learning. The teacher must have a range of teaching strategies that will cater to a variety of learners and considers using a range of teaching methods during a lesson. Developing this lesson plan provided me with an opportunity to develop an age appropriate, comprehensive learning experience and receive feedback on it's completion.
Strengths - The lesson was detailed and offered students different mediums for attaining information, including the use of video, an interactive digital resource and a sequencing activity. This caters to a range of students and their abilities and provides the opportunity to guide them using a variety of teaching strategies.
Weaknesses - It is important to ensure that the objectives can easily be linked back to the learning area. Students who require specific support should be noted so that the objectives reflect their abilities and target progression.
Ways of improving performance - As a pre-service teacher planning should remain detailed and well researched to ensure that a range of skills are develop in regards to understanding how students learn and in catering for their abilities. Sharing developed plans with senior teachers can help develop new teaching strategies that will continue to support students and my own development as a teacher.
Standard 2
Know the content and how to teach it
2.6
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students (AITSL, 2012).
In undertaking the unit, EDP130 Technologies for Learning, I was required to build a digital resource based on an extension of a literacy lesson chosen from the Australian Curriculum. The web resource built on skills learnt previously and helped in the development of new skills. A rubric was design to support the selection of digital resources to be used in the classroom that would ensure a high calibre and consistent selection of resources was maintained. I had the opportunity after completing the web site to present it to a group of year 5 students. A number of valuable reflections took place due to this experience including the flexibility and compatibility of a digital resource between a computer screen and an interactive white board. A game that is easily completed on a computer can be complicated or difficult to complete on a whiteboard. The competitive nature of students in certain age groups needs to also be considered, does the resource in able the student to develop new knowledge or does their focal point become winning the game and therefore not paying full attention to the content.
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Strengths - The ability to identifiy a digital resource that was appropriate for the area of the curriculum and the age and stage of the students. Successfully created a website that enabled the students to motivate students to engage with the learning content.
Weaknesses - need to develop further reflective skills which will further my abilities to analyse a particular activity.
Ways of improving performance - One important aspect of developing digital resources for students I have learnt from this experience is the need to test the resources with students before the finalised activity is presented. As teachers we may have a clear idea of what we want students to gain from the learning experience and how we believe the students will interact with the resouce but in reality the outcome may be quite different. Testing the digitial resource for the flexibility across different formats is another aspect that I will continue to devleop when programming for students.
Professional Knowledge
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