Developing Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in Education

Developing Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in Education and Training
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Developing Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in Education and Training
Task 1 You are required to refer to the unit amplification to analyse and evaluate principles in own area.
1.1 Analyse the application of pedagogical principles in own area of specialism.
Pedagogy is an approach to teaching. Teachers apply an array of teaching methods, given that no single approach is universal to all situations. Every teacher uses pedagogy depending on the needs of the learners. The following approaches would be applicable in English as a second or foreign language (ESOL) Level 1 and 2. Firstly, a learner-centred pedagogy would be employed. Here, the learner plays a critical role in the learning process. The tutor becomes more of a facilitator as opposed to being the centre of attention. The teacher would trust that students can take ownership of the learning process. Secondly, the teacher would encourage collaboration and interaction among the learners. The learners would work together towards understanding some of the challenging concepts. Through collaboration, students would exchange information and understand more. Lastly, the tutor would encourage critical thinking in the course. Learners would be challenged to think critically and address challenges they encounter along the way. Students would be required to embrace objective analysis so that they can form a judgment.
1.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of use of creative and innovative approaches in own area of specialism.
Through creativity and innovation, learners can get the most out of the subject. The effectiveness of creative and innovative approaches in ESOL would be evaluated based on the following areas. Firstly, the teacher would require the learners to form discussion groups. Through discussion groups, the students will understand concepts deeply. The tutor will issue assignments that require the students to work on them in discussion groups. Secondly, there will be presentations in the class. Learners will have an opportunity to do PowerPoint presentations. Marks would be awarded depending on how each student performs. Class presentations would allow each learner to improve their communication skills and become more confident in public speaking. Lastly, technology would be used in the classroom. The use of computers, videoconferencing, and film would enhance the learning experience of the students. The use of technology would allow multimodal learning to understand and remember more (Gilakjani, Ismail & Ahmadi, 2011).
Task 2: You are required to refer to previous models on lesson and scheme of work to devise and design these resources.
2.1 Use initial and diagnostic assessments to agree learners’ individual goals and learning preferences.
Initial assessments are meant to assist in discovering the learners as individuals and identifying aspects that may be easily unnoticed. The initial assessment will be done before the program starts. The move will assist in dealing with matters that might come up. The teacher will issue questionnaires to determine the learning goals of each student. The questionnaires will focus on the needs of the students. The tutor will ascertain the proficiency of the learners in the subject and demonstrate what should be done. The process will also allow for the differentiation of individual requirements of the students. The teacher will identify specific additional support that individual students need.
Diagnostic assessments are crucial in evaluating student’s strengths and areas that require development. The assessment results will provide a thorough indication of the areas they need to improve on to achieve the set goals and objectives. The tutor will use visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic (VARK) to determine the learning preferences. The use of VARK will assist in identifying the approach that better fits each learner. The assessment will help in determining the approaches that cater to the needs of all the students. Another diagnostic assessment would be a running record assessment. Through the assessment, the teacher will get insights into the learner’s reading while it is happening. The tutor will identify the reader’s errors and formulate strategies for dealing with future problems.
2.2
2.3
2.4 Identify opportunities for learners and others to provide feedback to inform inclusive practice.
Effective learning requires tutors and learners to communicate effectively. The learning environment should allow interaction and encourages students to provide feedback. Students should be free to provide feedback on the sessions. A series of question and answer sessions is not enough to assess the students. Instead, feedback should demonstrate the individual needs and concerns of the learners. The tutor would create private blogs where communication would be done between the teacher and any student. Here, learners will be free to raise confidential issues. Further, the distribution of feedback cards would allow the teacher to collect information. The tutor will assure the students that the information collected is confidential and that it will not be used to victimise them. Additionally, the teacher would be at a specific point once a week, say the library, where students can give confidential feedback. Such one-on-one sessions will allow the teacher to address the individual needs of the students.
2.5 Explain how own practice in planning inclusive teaching and learning has taken account of theories, principles and models of learning, communication and assessment.
Effective learning takes place where the right strategies are employed. The planning of the lessons has taken into account theories, principles, and models. Firstly, the behaviourist approach considers knowledge as a range of behavioural responses to environmental stimuli. The approach views learning as promoted by repetition and positive reinforcement. The teaching of ESOL will involve repetition to ensure that students capture fundamental concepts. Secondly, the teacher will use both positive and negative reinforcement to enhance learning. Through positive reinforcement, the tutor will strengthen the likelihood of positive behaviours like class participation. Negative reinforcement will discourage the learners from engaging in particular negative behaviours like inappropriate mobile phone and laptop use (Rumfola, 2017). Lastly, the tutor will be guided by the principle that “every student can learn.” In this regard, the teacher will keep finding the right approach to engage each student.
Task 3:
3.1
Belbin team roles is a practical approach to assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a particular team. An understanding of a team is critical in determining ways of improving performance (Fapohunda, 2013). Team roles would describe patterns of behaviour that facilitate the progress of the whole team. The assessment would be necessary for assessing the “preferred” role of every member. The teacher would encourage the students to undertake the assessment and determine where each team member should fit. Additionally, Tuckman’s model indicates the stages that teams undergo as they develop. In establishing a strong team, the teacher would instruct the learners on what should be done. After some time, the teacher would become a couch and allow learners to participate effectively in the learning process. Later the tutor would delegate responsibility to some of the students. By the end of the course, learners would be in a position to take up responsibilities. Lastly, the Ginott model would be used to create a conducive environment for all the learners. The model indicates that learning occurs in the present; hence, teachers should not hold grudges against previous student misbehaviour (Lewis, 2001). The teacher will improve student behaviour by conferring dignity on them constantly.
3.2
Learning is effective where students operate in a safe and inclusive environment. A safe environment would entail creating a judgment-free classroom. Students may be afraid of speaking in the classroom if they perceive that they will be judged harshly. The teacher would encourage each student to speak out. Additionally, the tutor would establish rules that discourage negative behaviour like bullying and name-calling. The guidelines would ensure that students feel free to express themselves. Regarding an inclusive learning environment, the teacher would be culturally sensitive. Culturally competent teaching that uses intercultural communication skills should be employed (Mitchell & Benyon, 2018). The teacher would be sensitive to the needs of the diverse students. Further, connecting with the individual students would be essential in creating an inclusive learning environment. The teacher will consider each learner an individual and take time to connect with each of them. The move will make each student feel that they have a sense of belonging to the class.
3.3
The tutor would use Skinner’s positive reinforcement. In this theory, rewards are used to strengthen behaviour (Gordan & Amutan, 2014). In enforcing behaviours that promote inclusion, the tutor would employ a “token economy” that rewards learners immediately for reinforcing behaviours. For instance, students who form more culturally diverse groups will be rewarded. In addition, the teacher would utilise Theory Y in promoting a conducive learning environment. Theory Y assumed that individuals are diligent and can exercise control over their jobs. The teacher seeks to ensure that the students can assume responsibility. Involving the learners in decision-making would allow them to implement the set guidelines. It would be easier for the tutor to deal with motivated students since they will fulfil the course requirements.
Task 4: You are required to refer to the unity amplification and practical placement experiences to demonstrate and design these resources to ensure inclusiveness.
4.1 Design resources that actively promote equality and value diversity. Meet the identified needs of specific learners.
It is crucial that the learning environment be inclusive of all students regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, beliefs, and disability. Such an environment promotes or allows the development of a deep understanding of each other while also promoting tolerance. Eventually, the classroom becomes an area where people can be themselves and speak their minds without feeling out of place or judged. Below are some of the ways that such an environment can be achieved:
* Creation of an all-inclusive culture in the classroom – this should help the classroom develop a shared sense of belonging. There needs to be something that holds the entire class together. By having a shared sense of belonging, it will be easier even to have discussions challenging stereotypes and prejudices.
* Avoid the temptation to use stereotypes or examples/illustrations that are stereotypical – when the teacher does not use any stereotypes or prejudiced pieces of information about a culture or people, it becomes easier to encourage an environment that challenges and denounces such.
* Maintain the highest expectations of all students in the classroom – all students should feel like their teacher believes in their capabilities regardless of their race, sexual orientation, ethnic group, religion, etc.
* Introduce the concept of group discussions and group work – encouraging students to interact and embrace their differences through group discussion and group work can help foster tolerance. Therefore, this will be encouraged.
* Promote a culture of respect for all cultures and backgrounds – there can never be tolerance without respect. Any ounce of disrespect of one’s culture, beliefs, and any other inclination could disrupt the peace in the classroom.
* Encourage open discussion of differences – the classroom environment should allow all students to have an open discussion about their feelings and differences. It is crucial that these should be discussed from a learning point of view to help bridge the gap in the students’ differences.
4.2 Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in the use of inclusive teaching and learning approaches and resources, including technologies, to meet the needs of individual learners.
To have an inclusive classroom means focusing on the needs of every learner and using different methods that should help them overcome any challenges on their path to attaining their goal (Futurelab, 2009). In this classroom, different methods, as well as a combination of different approaches, will be employed to guarantee success. Also, it is crucial to mention that these methods are subject to change to fit the different needs of every student.
Writing on the whiteboard is the first method that I will use to help the students grasp the lesson. As a teacher, the expectation is that I should be able to speak out loud and have the students follow my speech. However, I have to factor in the student’s differences and thus consider writing the main points on the whiteboard.
There is also the use of flashcards in the classroom. These can help to offer an explanation. Visualisation is also a strong part of teaching. To help ensure that students also learn through visualisation, I will have to employ pauses while providing steps. Also, I will have to make sure that the points being made are short and precise.
The use of photo essays, charts, graphs, tables, and maps is also another way to ensure flexibility in the classroom. PowerPoint presentations have also to be included in the classroom. These visual prompts are quite crucial to make it easier for students to tell their stories.
The use of technology is also quite crucial to help the learners develop their vocabularies and learn the correct pronunciation of words. The use of devices, such as smartphones and tablets in the classroom will be encouraged. Online language games, as well as quizzes, will be used. These should allow the students to practice English and learn even while away from the class.
4.3 Demonstrate ways to promote equality and value diversity in own teaching.
The first thing that I will need to do to promote equality and value diversity in my own teaching is to develop a personal touch with the students. This means that I have to take an interest in each of the students. I have to learn and understand what sets them apart from the rest. In doing so, I will be building a platform to engage all students from the same level of understanding.
The employment of different teaching and assessment methods in the classroom. Considering this approach should help bridge the gap for all students. The use of essays, PowerPoint presentations, group discussions and group work, setting of exams, etc., can help meet the needs of all students. In using these methods, it will be easier to identify the needs of each student while also pointing out their weaknesses and strength...