The Foundation of an Effective Education

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Recommended: Discuss the educational implications of constructivist theory and critique its use in the classroom

I went to primary school in the early 1980’s; I had a very typical education for the time, Maths, English, Science, with hefty doses of fear, in the form of the threat of corporal punishment. We sat in rows, no talking, no sharing of ideas just copying from the black board into our books; these days it would be termed a behaviorist model of teaching. My classmates, those who didn’t fit the norm, had a very lonely, isolated experience; in some cases I know the experience frightened them off learning forever. When I began my study I knew that there must be a better way to teach all students, and I am very glad to say there is; Groundwater –Smith, Ewing and Le Cornu (2007) state, “ for education to transcend mere schooling it requires that students be recognised as full participants in the learning process” (p.4). So, my reflections, questions and decision are based around my desire to find a teaching styles that place children firmly at the centre of learning, that respects children, and empower them; from my study I can see it is these approaches that get the best outcomes for students, and enable teachers to be truly effective. I have chosen to discuss in detail at some of the elements of my study that are at the core of effective teaching; knowing and understanding students and how to motivate them, positive and proactive classroom management, constructivist theory, and finally behaving professionally and ethically.

A deep knowledge and understanding of students is the foundation of effective teaching; it is from this knowledge teachers can form a relationship, which helps students feel as if they belong, and belonging is key to success and a powerful motivator, (Marsh, 2008). I will begin my reflection on this topic by loo...

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...ng your practicum: A guide to better teaching practice (2nd .ed) Social Science Press, Katoomba, NSW.

Rand, A.(1964). The Virtue of Selfishness. New York: Penguin. ISBN 0-451-16393-1. OCLC 28103453,

Retrieved on April 22, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand#CITEREFRand1964

Ross & Kyle, 1987

Slavin, R. (2002). Evidence-based education policies’ in Educational Researcher, 31 (7), pp. 15-21.

Whitton, D., Barker, K., Nosworthy, M., Sinclair, C., Nanlohy, P. (2010) Communicating as professionals. South Melbourne: Cengage Learning.

Vrasidas, C. (2000). Constructivism versus objectivism: Implications for interaction, course design, and evaluation in distance education. International Journal of Telecommunications, Educational Telecommunications, 6(4), 339-362. Retrieved on April 22, 2011 from http://www.cardet.org/vrasidas/pubs/continuum.pdf

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