Module 4: Activity 7: Giving feedback

As I progress through this activity, this question came to my mind, "How many of us as educators really give quality feedback to our students on a  regular basis?"

Feedback plays an important role in the our teaching/learning lives. We should be tactful with the way in which we give feedback since more harm than good could be done if it is not done correctly. We must remember that start any feedback we should say something good, then progress to saying what is wrong and how it can be solved.

I think that one should not give feedback if one does not have a solution to the problem.

Module 4: Activity 6: Assessing Information Literacy

For years and up to present time people have the incorrect definition of information literacy. This term has a deeper meaning than what is given. According to http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/information-literacy.html, it means, Ability to define problems in terms of their information needs, and to apply a systematic approach to search, locate, apply, and synthesize the information and evaluate the entire process in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. This meaning encompasses all the levels of Bloom's Taxonomy of cognitive development.

Module 4: Activity 5: How we assess evidence - assessment tools

If we as educators are to collect evidence of learning we have to put the correct assessment tools in place. These tools include but not limited to - rubrics, concept maps, oral presentations, peer reviews, portfolios and knowledge surveys. All assessment tools have a some things in common; " the learner's name,
a description of what is being assessed e.g. contribution to group discussion, a list of criteria that are being assessed, and a place of the level of assessment (a mark or a comment or a tick) to be added."

The authenticity of the tool is also a valuable component. We are reminded to create assessment tools that reduce biases. In my opinion and from experience, I have seen the positive effects of using assessment tools since they make my life easier with respect to acquiring information about learners' progress and understanding of concepts taught.

Module 4: Activity 4: How we assess - assessment methods

Assessment methods come in many forms. Some of these are:-

• self assessment
• portfolio assessment
• teacher observation
• concept mapping
• questioning

We are encouraged to vary the types of assessment methods that we use in our classroom. Also to ensure that these methods are appropriate for the students and they meet the requirements of the objectives. We should also remember the needs of the learners and make ICT integration an integral part of the activities.

Module 4: Activity 3: What we assess - catering for diversity

My knowledge of diversity, my view of teaching, learning and assessment has been positively influenced. Since my students are racially, culturally, academically, intellectually, ethnically and socially mixed, I have structure my teaching/learning styles to suit the majority. This being done has helped to improve the overall experience and result from the day to day interactions.

Module 4: Activity 2: What we assess?

From this activity, I learnt the following about what we assess:

• how students collaborate with various activities
• how students make use of ICT tools to produce create graphs, patterns for clothes etc
• how students make use of ICT tools during their presentations on specific topics
• how students show their understanding of concepts through role play

We as educators need to be decide before hand what we will assess and create the appropriate rubrics for these assessments.

Module 1 - Activity 12: Problem-solving skills

This activity was a real opener because I realize that the way in which one approaches a problem will be the determinate factor for it's failure or success. We as educators need to use the correct approaches if our efforts are to be successful. We should also remember to involve our students in the process of problem solving because they are full of ideas that can help.

Here is a quick reminder of some of the strategies for problem solving:-

• brainstorming
• concept mapping
• big six
• define, design and select
• make a list
• draw a diagram
• divide and conquer

Module 1- Activity 11 - Encouraging learners to ask questions

I have gained a lot from this activity since it has given me a new approach to teaching. It also showed me that students are capable of defending their opinions and backing with facts and even practices that occur on a daily basis in their lives.

As educators, we are encouraged to use this type of teaching method to help our students think critically which would also provide opportunities for them to ask thought-provoking, deep-thinking questions.

1 - Activity 10: Promoting discussion

It was quite fascinating and informative when I read the postings from my colleagues. If educators take time to properly plan, organize and execute discussion strategies, learners will gain a wealth of knowledge from them.

1- Activity 9: What questions do I ask and why?

Having completed the assigned activity, I realize that not all questions that we as educators or even our examination bodies ask are questions but just instructions. We therefore need to be careful as to the way that we phrase our questions. Educators are also reminded that our questioning techniques should encourage learners to use HOTS-(higher order thinking skills) since basic recall does not challenge nor help them.

1- Activity 8 :Piaget's Influence

This activity has allowed me to reflect on Piaget's theory of cognitive development. It has also caused me to take a good, long look at my present teaching practice. It we as educators do take into considerations the principles that he has put forward, high levels of teaching/learning will be obtained. It is of great significant that we become familiar with the stages of development that suggests so that we can adequately provide for the students' individual needs.

1- Activity 7 Cooperative Learning - Reflection

This activity has brought out some interesting ways by which cooperative learning can help both the teacher and the learner. From the many suggestions, it showed that cooperative learning can be very beneficial if properly planned and executed.

It can also do the following:-

•  help learners to be responsible for their own learning and that of their peers.
• increase learning because of interaction with others within groups.
• promote a increase of peer tutoring.
• provide various ways of problem solving when more background information etc are received from their group members.

Teachers are to take into consideration the level of learning that the use of cooperative learning produces and plan well for the success of their lessons.

1 - Activity 5: Developmental Psychology - Reflection

This activity and the readings have shed some light on the present practices of my school and how far it needs to go if the students are to be psychologically developed. The fact that parents are to be trained into helping to deal with this development is paramount. We as educators need to be mindful that we are to be confidential individuals if we are to reach the students and help with the success of their development.

4-1 Activity 1: Assessment Review

Wow! This was a real revelation to us as teachers. We had to look seriously at our assessment practices and        determine to make the necessary changes to our present way of assessment. It was reinforced that our students know more about us than we may be aware of.

It is up to us as educators to improve our present practices so that our students are never disadvantaged during their assessments. Authenticity, accuracy and efficiency are keys to the success of assessment.

Activity 4: “Behaviourism-new_strategy”- Reflection

Attention seekers are individuals who constantly try to get the attention at all times. As educators, the onus is ours to stop such behaviour patterns since other learners are disrupted and their required attention times are limited or taken away. Be consistent in our method of dealing with the issues and positive results would be gained.

I am impressed with the responses given by my colleagues and will try some of their approaches should I be faced with similar occurrences.

The ways in which we as educators deal with problems in the classroom can help to turn negative  behaviours into positive ones or they can help to make them worst.

Reading 2: Activity 3: Social Cognitive Theory - Reflection

Learners model what they see, so educators are to model what they expect their learners to do. There are times when we become intimidated with the set of learners that we are given but we can encourage learning if we eradicate the barriers that are in the teaching/learning process. 

The teacher in the excerpt made a bad first impression on the minds of the students that some of them were a bit apprehensive with their approach to her. We should always put ourselves in the shoes of our learners and remember how would feel if we were in their situation.

This was an enjoyable discussion and a great deal was learnt.

1-1 Activity 2: Information Processing Approaches - Reflection

I simple don't understand how quickly time flies. While doing this activity, I started some reflection on how do my teaching/learning experience affect my learners. I question myself: when I give them assignments etc and attach a deadline, are they rushed or forced to accomplish them without understanding what to do? Have I taken into consideration that they have other events going on in their lives? Were my instructions clear enough so that the average or below average learner can understand?

As educators, we need to take note of the processes outlined by Piaget are of great importance in our teaching/learning experiences. It is my pledge to ensure that I teach so that all these steps are followed so that my learners can store the information in their long term memory.

1-1 Activity1 Reflection

The most powerful lessons that I learnt during this activity are: 

• Many new teachers had the notion that students were sponges so they had to feed them with all the knowledge.

• Some teachers started teaching since that was the only thing available or they were fed up with other jobs.

• With training, teachers were exposed to their weaknesses in the classroom and changed their approaches for the better.

• As teachers, we need to see each learner as important and ensure that our classroom environments are conducive to learning.

• No matter what level we are asked to teach, we should be able to transfer our teaching/learning experience to suit it.

• As teachers we can learn from others if we are open-minded.

• Educators should keep abreast with new teaching/learning styles by reading educational publications and, attending workshops etc. This will help to prevent us using the “traditional” view as posited by Whitaker.

• There is satisfaction when a teacher sees positive results of their efforts with learners.

• Teachers should encourage collaborative learning.

P.S. This was posted in the group blog by mistake.

Music is the fruit of love

Thank you for visiting my blog. Click on the links in the side panel and make your contributions.