The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers provide a framework, which clearly identifies the knowledge, practice and professional knowledge necessary to achieve each standard in a teacher’s career. The Standards aim to enhance all students learning outcomes by providing key indicators of teacher quality to assist the preparation, support and progress of teachers (Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards [BOSTES] 2014). This essay will examine the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Standard One: “Know students and how they learn” (2011, p.3) by comparing and contrasting the expectations of a graduate and lead teacher. There are six focus areas within Standard One and each area clearly defines …show more content…
A graduate teacher should have a broad knowledge and understanding of cultural differences, including the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistics backgrounds and the implications of these differences for students from Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal backgrounds. A graduate teacher, when leading discussions or questioning students must consider how they will be received. Korff (2014) provides the example, “Aboriginal students can avoid direct eye contact with an adult as it is considered rude in Aboriginal culture” (para 3). Korff (2014) also suggest that many Aboriginal students do not ask or answer questions, because traditionally, Aboriginal culture is handed down from generation to generation in the form of song, poetry, dance and story- telling. Establishing rapport, celebrating diversity and respecting differences in the classroom e.g., cultural awareness activities and knowing how to talk to and build relationships with students of all cultures and backgrounds, would be an example of how a graduate teacher can demonstrate their understanding of Focus area …show more content…
It is essential that all students have access to a quality education and an inclusive education system should meet their diverse needs. The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development [DEECD] (2014) stipulates that education providers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support students with disabilities to comply with the standard. Graduate teachers should also demonstrate an understanding of legislative requirements and be able to identify teaching strategies that support the involvement and learning of students with disabilities (AITSL, 2014). They should understand the importance of focusing on what a student with a disability can do and work with the student’s strengths. A graduate teacher should know what resources, agencies and assistive technologies are available to support the learning needs of a student with a disability. DEECD (2014) suggests that other students may require more significant adjustments such as specialised equipment, technology and computer software or the provision of additional notes and resources in a modified format. A graduate teacher could provide documentation of how they adapt teaching programs as well as modify curriculum delivery and assessment strategies to demonstrate their understanding of teaching strategies that
Differentiated instruction caters to differences among students, how students learn, different learning styles, and the interest of each learner. Running records support differentiating lessons for each learner during guided reading. Running records are diagnostic tools designed to identify a student’s reading deficiencies and monitor progress. The implementation of running records allows the teacher to differentiate each child’s reading lesson and hone in on the child’s needs and abilities. It is the educator’s responsibility to fine-tune instructional needs so that classroom, small group, and one-to-one teaching occur when and for whom they are needed in a timely way and with the high quality every child deserves (Fountas & Pinnell, 2009). Each child enters a classroom with varying needs; differentiating guided reading lessons based on the results of running records will help meet the individual needs of each child. Kelly M. Anderson (2007) states, teachers who differentiate believe each child is unique, with differing learning styles and preferences. Teachers can differentiate based on students’ readiness by varying the level of difficulty of the material covered in class. Guided reading offers the opportunity to vary the children’s reading based on their reading level. Differentiating instruction is not lowering expectations for some students. Differentiating instruction is establishing high expectations for all students while varying the process to which each child learns the same concept. Differentiating involves addressing the individual needs of diverse learners. Watts-Taffe, et al. (2012) notes although differentiating instruction is not new; it has become increasingly i...
The first Australian Professional Teaching Standard is ‘Know students and how they learn’(AITSL, 2011). Understanding how students learn is a significant component of effective teaching (1.2 AITSL, 2011). Furthermore, effective teachers require an understanding of students physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics (1.1 AITSL, 2011). In addition, APST Standards require teachers to demonstrate both content and pedagogical knowledge through lesson plans (2.1 AITSL, 2011) with the curriculum content being structured and sequenced to facilitate effective learning (2.2 AITSL, 2011). However, it is also critical to have a repertoire of teaching strategies which are responsive to a diverse range of student backgrounds, including linguistic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic (1.3 AITSL, 2011). An effective learning, in accordance with The Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority, provides learners with general capabilities (knowledge, skills, behaviours and characteristics) and include understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students learning needs and incorporate differentiated teaching methods to meet the needs of specific
As a graduate teacher it is important to understand the standards that underpin the whole of the teaching profession. The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the Standards) came about after extensive evidence was put forward by the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for young Australians in 2008 to say that Australia needed to improve its teacher quality in order to be considered as a world-class country in education (Teacherstandards.aitsl.edu.au, 2014). The key elements of what constitutes quality teaching make up seven standards and are broken down into the three domains of professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement.
Bryant, D. P., Smith, D. D., & Bryant, B. R. (2008). Teaching Students with Special Needs in
Queensland College of Teachers. (2007, January). Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers. Retrieved July 15, 2010, from Queensland College of Teachers http://www.qct.edu.au/standards/index.html
As a teacher it is your responsibility to vary your instruction so that you can reach each different type of learner. Something that may be useful is giving students an assessment that makes the teacher aware of how each student learns, and base your instruction off of the results. Also, you can give them an assessment of Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences to get an even better understanding of their learning styles, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Providing students various opportunities and teaching techniques enables them to learn in way that suits them
The students in our classrooms, both special education and general education classrooms, require individualized education to reach their full potential. Each child’s potential is different just as each child’s road to reach it is different. Our job as teachers is to be there for the student’s to help them reach their potential through their own unique way.
In this lesson, all three dimensions of the Quality Teaching Framework [QTF] are used to ensure pedagogy that promotes intellectual quality, a quality learning environment and ensures the significance of their work is known to students (NSW Department of Education and Training [DET], 2003). To guide my practice in meeting the needs of the students within this class, I have focused on substandards 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 3.1, 3.5, 4.1, 4.3, and 5.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership [AITSL], 2011).
The importance of having a curriculum that accommodates diverse learners, it allows the child to learn at their own level or ability. A child with emotional and intellectual challenges may not have the verbal or comprehension skills or the ability to control their body as their peers. With this in mind, classes with diverse learners can excel with an adjusted curriculum. An activity for example, using large Legos to teach the entire class their colors or numbers can help the intellectual challenge by asking to build a building by using on certain colors or amounts. By doing this activity the students can have fun and learn at the same time with using very little words. Also in a group activity the emoti...
When teachers differentiate their lesson, the students are more engaged to learn. Students have some choice in their learning activities, which motivates students to want to learn and also puts more learning responsibility on the students. Some students may prefer to work alone or in groups and some students like to be hands-on. By differentiating the lesson, all students’ needs are being met. “Differentiated Instruction gives students a range of ways to access curriculum, instruction and assessment. DI engages students to interact and participate in the classroom in a richer way. It is based on the assumption that all students differ in their learning styles, strengths, needs and abilities and that classroom activities should be adapted to meet these differences
It is expected that the profession of teaching embraces many qualities of any other professional practice. Teachers must possess a combination of many qualities beginning with a strong academic background and wide-ranging knowledge. The National Framework for Professional Standards for Teaching (2003) it is the knowledge of students, curriculum, subject matter, pedagogy, education – related legislation and the specifically teaching context that is the foundation on effective teaching, and a firm foundation on which to construct well educated judgments.
This article is written by a teacher and describes ways in which differentiated instruction can be implemented.
This has been a challenge my 1st year of teaching. An effective teacher will know and understand the Common Core Standards. A teacher should be able to bring their own life experiences into the classroom by understanding a remembering what might have kept us from learning. Applying rewards to students as we go through the learning process. Little bonuses are a plus when working, whether you are a student or working in the real world experiences. An effective teacher needs to know the goal and how to motivate their student to the end goal. Begin with the end in mind is a good
Education is a profession which requires a teacher to be able to communicate with a multitude of students on a variety of levels. There is not a class, or student for that matter, that is identical. Therefore, teachers must be able to identify and help educate students from all different types of backgrounds and at different levels. Teaching a singular subject presents difficulties, but teaching students with disabilities should not be one. There are three main teaching areas that need to be focused on when teaching a student with a learning disability. Teachers need to focus on the strategies that will assist students with reading comprehension skills, writing skills, and maintaining appropriate behaviors in a classroom setting.
The first rule of teaching is "ASSUME NOTHING", this is the most important rule in teaching, as it states teachers must never assume they know everything. They must be updated with every single subject they are teaching, need to know their boundaries, roles, responsibilities and professional values. They have to be aware of changes in policies and rules and be updated with all subjects they are teaching. Teachers are also responsible for updating their knowledge on rules such as Health and Safety at Work, Risk Assessment and Child Protection Guidelines.