Starrs - Information Technology

Each child must be recognized as an individual and the understanding that they learn, respond and retrieve information differently is a major key to managing diversity in the teaching and learning environment.  My knowledge of diversity has influenced my view of teaching, learning and assessment in such a significant way that I do not focus on the difference but rather on the effect that that difference brings to the session. With the knowledge that every student learns in a different way allows me the opportunity to prepare more inclusive lessons for the various types of learners which include those who learn better by seeing, hearing or even by touching.  It is very important to me because I know if they are not properly catered to, can end up becoming very frustrated and may leave. Education is too important to have our students become frustrated enough to leave so as educators we are compelled to guard against that.

Cooperative learning can be a successful teaching strategy by which groups of students with varying abilities come together to share with the sole purpose of better understanding a subject matter.  Observations that were made after concluding my session with my students were: • There were increased social interaction among the students • Knowledge were strengthened by sharing with peers • Cooperative learning allowed me to track the students progress • I was able to see deficiency in a student • I was better able to identify problem areas within the lesson • Better able to gauge homework to offer additional information in weak areas I have concluded that cooperative learning, as any other learning style needs to be monitored and implemented to better develop our students. The structure needs to cater to the students’ tastes and for better results the groups should be kept small. Using cooperative learning consistently and systematically can be very beneficial to our students.

After completing this assignment I am more aware of the need for us as teachers to understand the cognitive theory and stages that our children should go through in the learning process.  Assessing their prior knowledge when beginning a new topic is always the first thing I do. What I think they already know is often different to what they do know. How children learn is an agreed fact that Piaget has helped me to focus on in all of my classes.  I plan my lessons to cater to the needs of each of my student. A personal evaluation of one's self would lead us to consider that if we continue to bring the same planning each year and teach the same topics using the same methods then our children would be the worst for it.  Through exploring and inquiring we can challenge our beliefs and gain new insights into improving the way we practice so that our students will receive MAXIMUM benefits.

Activity 2: There are so many features of our class sessions that we can assess to determine how well our students are learning.  I would like to mention a few that you might be able to relate to as well.      We can assess how learners contribute to group discussion  We can assess as they play and learn, while creating online interactive games    Making a class presentation - Assess on both content and presentation.     We can also assess how well they use pictorial representation to present their findings.  These and many other assessment can be used, the list is long.  When we use a variety of methods to assess our students we are enabling a better learning environment for all persons: both educators and learners.  

Assignment 1 - Group 4 Assessments are used for many reasons not limited to helping students learn; to report on student progress or to help us make decisions about our teaching.   Closely attached to assessment is the vehicle called evaluation.  The most important aspect of evaluations is to improve students learning.     Evaluation refers to the process of judging the quality of student learning on the basis of established performance standards and assigning a value to represent that quality.  Evaluation accurately summarizes and communicates to parents, other teachers, principals, ministry of education, and students themselves what students know and can do with respect to the overall curriculum expectations.     If we successfully analyze, evaluate and implement proper assessment methods our learners and we ourselves as educators will be very pleased with the final results.  Let us strive to make our learning environments our priorities.  

There is a great need to create programs and events that will assist in fostering good communication between the community and the schools, in assisting our students overcome difficulties.  Creating specific guideline that will positively impact all stake holders (parents, children, teachers and principals) is one value of Developmental psychology.  It should be noted that many institutions have already made provisions to address this problem which include the need for guidance counselors in the schools as well as PTA organizations, etc. There is always room for improvement and so I would urge the parents to work closely with the schools in assisting our students with difficulties that they encounter regularly.  Finding creative ways and ideas is an ongoing commitment that all parties need to be cognizant of.  The most important lesson that I learnt from the reading is the need for commitment and the vision to see the benefits that our children will gain. Working collaboratively req