Standard 1 -
Professional Knowledge
Know Students and How They Learn
1.1 Physical, Social, and Intellectual Development and Characteristics of Students
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
Throughout my own experiences and my placements thus far, I have come to see the connections between the physical, social and intellectual development of an individual and how they are all interrelated. If a student is struggling socially and is having trouble with their friends they may not feel confident in the classroom therefore they could fall behind academically affecting their intellectual development. Similarly, if a student is ill all the time and as a result struggling physically, they may miss out on school which would affect their intellectual development and also their social development as they are not getting the crucial social interaction that children need. Therefore I am aware of the importance of students understanding these aspects of themselves and encourage the use of classroom activities that promote health in all three areas. In order to improve learning, students must have the best opportunities to show positive health in all aspects, therefore as a future teacher, I endeavour to provide opportunities in which students can develop physically, socially and intellectually.
1.2 Understand How Students Learn
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
Something I feel that I really benefit from each time I do an assignment is the research I undertake in order to provide informed and practical evidence. What I hope to take away from this into my career is the ability to continually inform myself and keep updated with new information and resources that can further my abilities as a teacher, particularly if it improves my ability to create deeper connections with students that can help them to learn to their full ability. I hope to remain updated and aware of new research and I hope I can provide my students with the best methods of teaching that will cater to all ability levels in the classroom.
1,3 Students with Diverse Linguistic, Cultural, Religious and Socioeconomic Backgrounds
Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Throughout my university experience so far I have undertaken a few units that cover the strategies of teaching students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds and whilst it has prepared me to a certain extent, I believe that it would be crucial to actually experience and witness these diversities within a classroom so that I can fully understand and learn about the strategies that best accommodate to all students. This is important to me as I want all students to be able to completely and fully participate in the classroom in all activities. Whilst I have theoretical knowledge I believe that practical knowledge in this area is what will completely prepare me for a classroom that will have students of all backgrounds.
1.4 Strategies for Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
I have also undertaken a couple of units that revolve around the topic and issues that surround Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students. This unit is very important in ensuring that we as teachers are respectful and understanding of Indigenous students and their culture and traditions so that we can provide a respectful yet still relatable classroom experience that caters to all diversities and abilities. These units have given me a great awareness on how to respect Indigenous culture and how we can give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students the best educational opportunities possible.
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.
Reaching the needs of all abilities within a classroom is an area which I feel strongly about. I feel confident in my experience where I have begun to accommodate to a mixed range of abilities however I feel this is an area which always has room for improvement. I will continue to endeavour to always ensure that students are being accommodated to whether that be supplying extra help or challenging them further. I believe that one of my strengths is getting to know and understand my students and I believe this is a strong asset when finding strategies to meet the learning needs of all students.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
Throughout my own experiences and my placements thus far, I have come to see the connections between the physical, social and intellectual development of an individual and how they are all interrelated. If a student is struggling socially and is having trouble with their friends they may not feel confident in the classroom therefore they could fall behind academically affecting their intellectual development. Similarly, if a student is ill all the time and as a result struggling physically, they may miss out on school which would affect their intellectual development and also their social development as they are not getting the crucial social interaction that children need. Therefore I am aware of the importance of students understanding these aspects of themselves and encourage the use of classroom activities that promote health in all three areas. In order to improve learning, students must have the best opportunities to show positive health in all aspects, therefore as a future teacher, I endeavour to provide opportunities in which students can develop physically, socially and intellectually.
1.2 Understand How Students Learn
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
Something I feel that I really benefit from each time I do an assignment is the research I undertake in order to provide informed and practical evidence. What I hope to take away from this into my career is the ability to continually inform myself and keep updated with new information and resources that can further my abilities as a teacher, particularly if it improves my ability to create deeper connections with students that can help them to learn to their full ability. I hope to remain updated and aware of new research and I hope I can provide my students with the best methods of teaching that will cater to all ability levels in the classroom.
1,3 Students with Diverse Linguistic, Cultural, Religious and Socioeconomic Backgrounds
Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Throughout my university experience so far I have undertaken a few units that cover the strategies of teaching students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds and whilst it has prepared me to a certain extent, I believe that it would be crucial to actually experience and witness these diversities within a classroom so that I can fully understand and learn about the strategies that best accommodate to all students. This is important to me as I want all students to be able to completely and fully participate in the classroom in all activities. Whilst I have theoretical knowledge I believe that practical knowledge in this area is what will completely prepare me for a classroom that will have students of all backgrounds.
1.4 Strategies for Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
I have also undertaken a couple of units that revolve around the topic and issues that surround Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students. This unit is very important in ensuring that we as teachers are respectful and understanding of Indigenous students and their culture and traditions so that we can provide a respectful yet still relatable classroom experience that caters to all diversities and abilities. These units have given me a great awareness on how to respect Indigenous culture and how we can give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students the best educational opportunities possible.
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.
Reaching the needs of all abilities within a classroom is an area which I feel strongly about. I feel confident in my experience where I have begun to accommodate to a mixed range of abilities however I feel this is an area which always has room for improvement. I will continue to endeavour to always ensure that students are being accommodated to whether that be supplying extra help or challenging them further. I believe that one of my strengths is getting to know and understand my students and I believe this is a strong asset when finding strategies to meet the learning needs of all students.
1.6 Strategies to Support Full Participation of Students with Disability
Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability.
I have completed a unit in my course that describes the strategies essential in supporting students with a disability. I enjoyed this unit and it gave me a great background and base of knowledge that each time I experience a placement, I can build upon and expand on this knowledge into more practical teaching techniques. In a previous placement, I was given the opportunity to work with a child who was described as mute. I provided us with an activity in which communication was made by answering the maths problem that was created by rolling two dice and then colouring in our answers on a grid. Whoever's grid was all colored in first was the winner. This allowed for full participation for the student and took any pressure off her to communicate verbally and instead allowed her to just focus on the task at hand. I felt that I was able to connect with the student and was proud of how well we were able to work together.
Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability.
I have completed a unit in my course that describes the strategies essential in supporting students with a disability. I enjoyed this unit and it gave me a great background and base of knowledge that each time I experience a placement, I can build upon and expand on this knowledge into more practical teaching techniques. In a previous placement, I was given the opportunity to work with a child who was described as mute. I provided us with an activity in which communication was made by answering the maths problem that was created by rolling two dice and then colouring in our answers on a grid. Whoever's grid was all colored in first was the winner. This allowed for full participation for the student and took any pressure off her to communicate verbally and instead allowed her to just focus on the task at hand. I felt that I was able to connect with the student and was proud of how well we were able to work together.