ARTEFACT 1
Professional Practicum Report
STANDARD DESCRIPTORS
Standard 1
Know students and how they learn.
Focus
Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students.
1.1.1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
Standard 4
Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.
Focus
Support student participation.
4.1.1
Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
Annotation
This report was prepared for my second year practicum at St Clare's Catholic Primary School in Narellan Vale. On this practicum I learnt how important differentiation was in catering for the individual learner needs of all students.
Having a strong understanding of individual students needs, can allow educators to have a strong pedagogical knowledge of their needs which can result in educators having a long lasting positive influence on their students (Mayer, 2011).
By understanding the needs of the students within this class, I was able to adapt my lessons to address them (1.1.1). This report was composed near the conclusion of my practicum, after my tertiary supervisor had viewed several of my lessons. One mathematics lesson in particular stood out, where I taught students on probability. As it was term 4, and students were becoming increasingly restless, I decided to adapt my lesson to incorporate student fads. This helped gain the attention of easily distracted students, and ensured students were intrinsically engaged throughout (4.1.1).
During this practicum, I built up to teaching full days, across all KLA's. As a result, I needed to moderate learning intentions and indicators according to the individual learner needs of the students in the class. The only way I was able to sufficiently achieve this was through understanding the individual characteristics of students. By spending time familiarising myself with each student in the class, I was able to get a comprehensive understanding of what moderations I needed to implement in order to maximise their academic achievement (1.1.1).
By being flexible in both the learning tasks that are assigned in class, I was able to ensure that all students individual learner needs were catered for. Stokes & Turnbull (2011) state that flexible classroom learning spaces can help satisfy select students individual learner needs. I found this to be a successful approach with some students.
(372 words)
Transcript:
Alister has completed a most successful prac with a class of lively year 3 students. He has developed a great rapport with them by showing an interest and knowledge of the students fads e.g. Pokemon, and their choice of media games etc. He quickly learnt the need to firm and consistent in his expectations of their responses and behaviour. At the same time, he showed great empathy for students requiring extra attention or who were struggling to meet class behaviour expectations.
Lessons/day book were always well planned with a creative range of media resources. Alister is well organised and is able to think on his feet when things don't go as planned.
Alister was most professional in all aspects of school life, his participation in staff meetings has been noted forwardly.
As he gains further experience, Alister will come to know and understand the demands of the primary curriculum. Alister has a bright future ahead of him in education, providing he keeps up the high level of enthusiasm and commitment he has shown this far. I have no doubt he will do so and become a greatly valued member of any staff.
Congratulations on a job well done!