Week+1

Hello all,

Thought i would get the ball rolling on catching us up with week one and 2 Issues topics and reading discussion.

Understanding Education.

What did everyone think of the readings?

__**Heidi - Issues Week 1) **__ Being our first lecture, Greg gave us an overview of the unit, explained our WIKI's and what he expected from students throughout the semester.

He continued the lecture by introducing //What Make's an Effective Teacher?// He saif that effective teachers know how students learn and build on the knowledge their students already have; meaning that the teacher has in-depth previous knowledge of what their students have achieved and are familiar with i.e. Reading, writing, mathematical understanding and comprehension. Greg also outlined that effective teachers have a strong grasp of the content they are teaching to students. We can all remember during our schooling the teachers who had a strong grasp on their subject areas and evidently their thorough understanding and knowledge created a unwavering passion about what they were teaching to their students. Furthermore, it is clearly evident that effective teachers use purposeful teaching strategies in accordance to effectively matching the learning styles present within the class/students, this enables teachers to engage students within the content.

Greg also outlined the importance of being familiar with the Education BluePrint, especially when being interviewed.

During the lecture we also discussed what makes a "good" teacher. As a group we we agreed upon 5 imperative attributes: 1. Passionate 2. Creative 3. Flexible 4. Can Integrate 5. Can make connections A question i would like to pose: //From your personal experience of been a student (past and present), do you think someone can still be a good teacher without possessing these 5 attributes?//

During today's lecture Greg put up the following quote: //"Teachers must be emotionally well-balanced as they are often called on in their work to support those who are not as well balanced".// My personal opinion in regards to this particular quote is that, more often than, from what i have come to understand during my own education and other family members; is that not all teachers are not emotionally well-balanced, well-rounded people. And it is in these instances that it's the cildren/students that aid the teacher in becoming more emotionally well balanced. To state that ALL teachers must be emotionally well-balanced is a huge statement to make and therefore, maybe there shoud be more steps taken by the Education Department to ensure that the teachers that are teaching young people adhere to particular guidelines, ?. I found this statement to be bold and stimulating. It made me think about the teachers i have experienced during my education and the type of person i am - and made me ask, am i emotionally well-balanced enough to educate children, yes, i feel that i am. A huge question to ask yourself and i feel that by being able to answer "yes", is reflected in how people view you, how they relate to you, your life experiece, what you have achieved etc. In conclusion i feel that this question/statement must be asked towards all teachers and somehow measured by educational hierachys.

Greg outlined some important points during the lecture which may, at first, seem stratight forward and common sense, but indeed far more intricate - How we treat and teach students and the importance of creativity - (some thoughts of mine are attached after each point) -
 * Don't put children down when teaching - make sure that you are always aware of how you are perceived by children
 * Lot's of children are lost in the system - watch, listen and help students requiring extra attention
 * "Move to think" - dancing, creative movement and expression
 * we get educated out of creativity - never forget the importance of creativity and how it can strengthen confidence and understanding across all disciplines
 * "If your not afriad to be wrong, you will never be able to create anything new" - self explanatory
 * Creativity is as important as literacy - its not all about reading the same books and writing on worksheets.

LINDSAY:

Good job Heidi and I agree with most of your points. With regards to your point of not all teachers are emotionally well balanced and well rounded people, is anyone? I think we can all have our moments and indeed I do but its how we deal with our emotions and our personal lives that reflects on us as teachers. I believe that to be able to be given a job within the education industry and keep it we are well balanced. Step one foot out of line as a teacher and you will know all about it. It only takes one complaint, one parent to go over your head because you had a bad day and lashed out at a child to lose your job or simply be given a warning.

Times are changing. Parents are a lot more involved in their children's education these days and expect a great deal from their children's teachers. We are accountable for our actions and if not will be reprimanded or as stated earlier...fired.

In response to your question: //From your personal experience of been a student (past and present), do you think someone can still be a good teacher without possessing these 5 attributes? 1. Passionate 2. Creative 3. Flexible 4. Can Integrate 5. Can make connections //  No I do not believe that you would make a GOOD teacher without these attributes. I believe that there are probably teachers out there as I sit here that are working in the industry and are lacking one or more. Its sad but true. Like any profession there will come a time when our flexibility falters and perhaps we are not as passionate as we used to be. When this time comes change schools or change professions. One major point I am taking away is to make sure you challenge yourself, don't get complacent. Change schools every 5 to 10 years or at least change grades!

//Steve's Response ://

I agree with both of you, but like Lindsay said is anyone really that well balanced emotionally and well rounded? The answer is no. We are humans not robots, we will have our bad days teaching when nothing goes the way we thought it would, but it is how we react to this days that will separate us from others in our profession.

In terms of whether or not most current teachers posses those 5 attributes you spoke about Heidi, again i think you would struggle to find too many teachers who are outstanding in all 5 areas. But, there are teachers who i can remember from primary school who i could definitely say excelled in most of those areas, but probably not all five.

It is only week one though, and i hope the upcoming lectures and tutorials will shed some light and answer some of our questions regarding what key qualities are required as a teacher in the modern day classroom.