My Teaching Pedagogy

The teacher, I believe is the main pillar of education system. Piaget’s constructivist learning theory says that all knowledge is constructed from a base of prior knowledge. Therefore, children learn best when they are allowed to construct a personal understanding based on experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences (Satterly, 1987). One of the primary goals of using constructivist teaching is that students learn how to learn by giving them the training to take initiative for their own learning experiences. According to Audrey Gray, the characteristics of a constructivist classroom are where learners are actively involved, the activities are interactive and student-centered and the teacher facilitates a process of learning in which students are encouraged to be responsible and autonomous. I will incorporate experimentation, report writing, field trips, films and class discussions where each student gets actively involved in it and are able to link their knowledge to real world context.


According to Dr. Spencer Kagan, Cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement. I believe, it really works and is one of the widely used class strategies. It promote student learning and academic achievement, increase student retention, enhance student satisfaction with their learning experience, help students develop skills in oral communication, develop students' social skills, promote student self-esteem and help to promote positive race relations. We can use activities like jigsaw, think-pair-share, Round-robin brainstorm or three step interview.


I would like to inculcate Jones model in my teaching to help students with behaviour problems because I believe that all teachers use it at some stage whether knowingly or unknowingly and it is fairly simple to use. According to Jones (1987), teacher should use effective body language to convey authority or messages when students start disrupting without disturbing the whole class. Teacher should use incentives to students in form of preferred activity time (PAT) only when they have achieved their set target. Teacher should provide student with adequate and efficient help so that they are better behaved and complete their work (Konza et al, 2003). In class analysis, I have talked about how my teacher points towards rules whenever misbehaving starts, without actually saying a word. I would like to arrange my classroom in such a manner so that I can freely rove in my class to keep an eye on every student and to help them with lessons. I will try to motivate my students by giving them computer time, games etc. as PAT.


Being a teacher, I will try to create a safe, sound and learning environment where my students feel comfortable to learn. This could not be done without catering to their physical, emotional and social needs. According to the Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, humans can be motivated if their needs starting from as low as physiological (food, oxygen) to as complex as self actualization (love, self-esteem) are met. It as important that students feel safe in class as according to Schunk,” It is unrealistic to expect students to learn in school if they are suffering from physiological and safety deficiencies.” I will try to care of their needs like thirst, hunger, hot or cold and seating arrangements so that I know whom they can work with confidently. The National Values document also states that “effective values education occurs in a safe and supporting learning environment” (pg. 5).


In this modern era, it is highly important for every student to have adequate knowledge of ICT otherwise he won’t be able to survive in future. Information and communication technology (ICT) curriculum integration is the apparent goal of an extensive array of educational initiatives in all Australian states and territories. The hands on approach in ICT helps students to retain lessons for longer periods and the visual images help students with learning disabilities. ICT provides tool to sustain interactive and conceptual learning, and has the capability to transform learning in an engaging and enriching manner for students (Curriculum Corporation, 2005; Jones, 2003). In my present school, I have not seen adequate use of ICT. Students only use computers in their free time and they do not even have white boards anywhere in school.

Reference:
Atherton, J. (2010). Stages of Cognitive Development, Piaget’s Key Ideas. Retrieved @8 March, 2010 from http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm#Key%20Ideas



Department of Communications, I. T. a. t. A.(2005). National Framework of Values Education in Australian Schools. Retrieved 23 March, 2010 from http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/Framework_PDF_version_for_the_web.pdf.


Johnson, D., Johnson, R. (2001). Cooperative Learning. Retrived 25 March, 2010 fromhttp://edtech.kennesaw.edu/intech/cooperativelearning.htm#why


Kagan, S. (1994). Cooperative Learning. California : Kagan Publishing. Retrieved 25March, 2010 from www.KaganOnline.com


Meyen, E.L., Vergason, G. A., &Whelan, R. J. (1996). Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Children in Inclusive Settings. U.S.A.: Love Publishing Company.

Schunk, D., H. (2008). Motivation, Learning Theories: an educational perspective. 5th ed, Chapter 11(pp. 452-511). Pearson education Ltd.

Simons,J. A., Irwin, D. B., & Drinnien, B. A. (1987). The Search for Understanding: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved 28March, 2010 from http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/maslow.htm


Sousa, D. A. (2007). How the Special Needs Brain Works (2nd ed.). California: Corwin Press, A Sage Publications Company.