Graduate Standard Six.
6.1 Identify and plan professional learning needs
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the National Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs. 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers. 6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices. 6.4 Apply professional learning and improve student learning Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning. |
Focus Area 6.1- Identify and plan professional learning needs.
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers helps me to identify my professional learning needs. These standards have guided me throughout my time at university, on my teaching practicums and throughout this teaching practice portfolio. Within these three sphere's I have used seven standards to identity my strengths and weaknesses in my teaching practice.
When reflecting on these standards at the completion my professional portfolio I have come to realise what areas I need to improve. I realise the importance of coming back to these standards and reflecting on my teaching practices in order to become an effective and professional teacher. I will consistently refer back to these standards thoughout my teaching career in my reflection process. Focus Area 6.2- Engage in professional learning and improve practice.
Below is a section of my teaching practicum report which demonstrates my engagement in professional learning. (click the practicum comments to view the whole practicum report.)
In my 2013 teaching practicum I attended a PD day with she school staff. The PD day was centred around using ICT in the classrooms to improve student learning. At this PD day I learnt the importance of technology in the classroom and how vital it is that we as teachers use technology as a tool to help our teaching. I also learnt about educational ICT programs that can assist teachers in their classrooms. Programs such as;
Focus Area 6.3- Engage with colleagues and improve practice.
In my teaching practicums I engaged in professional conversation with a variety of teachers to improve my teaching practice. I used my teaching practicums as a chance to develop my teaching skills by observing and watching other teachers in the classroom setting. In my final teaching practicum I was lucky enough to engage in professional conversations with teachers who had the same classes as myself but taught a different subject. With these teachers I discussed behavior management issues and teaching strategies in addition to general information regarding the students.These discussions helped my teaching immensely and improved my teaching practices.
Below are two comments made by two different mentor teachers regarding my ability to engage with colleagues and engage in professional practice. (Click the practicum comments to view the whole practicum report) Focus Area 6.4- Apply professional learning and improve student learning.
At the University of Canberra I completed a subject called 'Teacher as a Researcher.' In this subject we had to complete an Action Research Proposal Project. In this action research proposal we had to think of an educational based question that we wanted to answer. My action research question was centreed around how teachers can motivate their students in a design and technology classroom by providing effective feedback and praise. I chose this subject because on my teaching practicum before this subject I struggled in engaging students even when I praised them or gave them positive feedback. The annotated Action Research Proposal demonstrates how I applied professional learning in the form of research in order to improve student learning. It is also important to note that after I finished this subject I used the research (how to use effective feedback and praise) on my next two teaching practicums. I found that the strategies I researched did improve my teaching practice and it also improved my student's learning.
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