Introduction
Education is a necessary element of human development, contributing to individual and social development. With a significant emphasis on the quality of education, the Australian government has developed certain professional standards for teachers and a universal curriculum used in all educational institutions in the country. Teachers must conduct their activities by established standards, ensuring the comprehensive development of students. This paper analyzes the key aspects of teaching Health and Physical Education that I apply under the standards and curriculum.
Theories of Teaching and Learning
Understanding the teaching and learning theories is the basis of pedagogy, as they provide a theoretical framework that the teacher can use in working with students. However, theoretical knowledge must be adapted depending on the needs of the students and the goals set. Setting goals to be achieved in education is an important element for student success (Schoenfeld, 2023).
In addition, learning theories also play a significant role in understanding the process of teacher education. By applying different theories, a professional can find an individual approach to each student by understanding their behavior (Wong et al., 2019). Applying learning theories in my practice has helped me ensure that all students are involved in the educational process.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APSTs) were developed by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) to regulate professional practice and improve teachers’ performance. APSTs help early career teachers to properly communicate with students by applying the basic principles of pedagogy (Lambert & Gray, 2020). Teachers can use these standards for continuous self-improvement and professional development. In addition, APSTs clearly define the roles that each participant in the educational process must fulfill (Lipscombe et al., 2020). Through this approach, students nationwide have equal access to quality education, which is necessary to acquire basic knowledge and skills.
Professional Knowledge
APSTs include three core domains that teachers need to interact successfully with children. One of them is the professional knowledge that a teacher must have to do their job effectively (NSW Education Standards Authority, 2018). This domain is divided into two main aspects: student knowledge and how they learn, and content knowledge and how to teach it (AITSL, 2018).
Each of the standards has several areas of focus aimed at teachers’ understanding of the principles of pedagogy, a deep understanding of the subject, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice effectively. In Australia, there is a strong focus on teacher training and education (Lewis et al., 2020; Barnes & Cross, 2021). In the context of professional knowledge, the teacher must be an expert in their field, ready to answer any questions from students and demonstrate knowledge in pedagogy and psychology, which contribute to establishing successful communication with students.
Professional Practice
Another domain of teacher activity is professional practice, which includes three standards. The first standard is “plan for and implement effective teaching and learning” (AITSL, 2018, p. 14). According to this standard, teachers should be able to create curricula of different levels of complexity for students, making them fun and educational.
In addition, this domain implies the teacher’s ability to create a safe learning environment that promotes student development (Teachers Registration Board, 2022). The teacher’s task is to promote social interaction between students, create a favorable atmosphere, and motivate students. Finally, the third standard in this domain includes providing feedback and reporting on student progress (AITSL, 2018). It includes developing methods for assessing and analyzing student achievement and communicating them to all stakeholders.
Professional Engagement
The third domain of APSTs is professional engagement, which includes the personal and professional development of teachers and their interaction with colleagues and parents. Continuous development and self-improvement are essential aspects of a teacher’s activity. In order to keep up with modern social trends and increase their knowledge of the subject and pedagogy, the teachers must seek opportunities for professional development and contribute to improving education in general (Mockler, 2022).
In addition, it is important to be able to maintain friendly relations with colleagues and parents. Since these groups of people also participate in the educational process, communication with them is necessary to ensure the academic achievement of students (Mayer & Mills, 2021). Teachers who adhere to these standards will be more effective and contribute to achieving educational goals.
Australian Curriculum
The Australian curriculum is a national curriculum developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA). It includes basic ideas about what students should know and be able to do at different levels of learning (ACARA, 2023a). In addition to academic knowledge, the program aims to develop students with the skills and abilities they need in the future. In addition, a separate aspect of the curriculum is sustainability and the preservation of the cultural heritage of Australia (Olive & Enright, 2021). The curriculum provides guidelines for teachers when planning their learning (Moss et al., 2019).
Due to the program’s flexibility, each teacher can adapt it, depending on the needs and interests of the students, which allows for a higher level of education. According to ACARA (2021), “between 72% and 83% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the positive statements about various aspects of the curriculum presented to them” (p. 7). It indicates the effectiveness of the curriculum and its positive impact on teachers’ professional activities.
Health and Physical Education
My specialty is Health and Physical Education, which aims to develop students’ understanding and skills related to healthy lifestyles, physical activity, and personal development (Barnett et al., 2019). In order to effectively teach this subject, it is necessary to use different strategies and approaches consistent with APSTs (ACARA, 2023b). In my practice, I adapt the curriculum based on the students’ needs and capabilities. It includes assessing students’ fitness and collecting data on their health status to ensure that learning is safe (Brooks, n.d).
In addition, I plan educational activities based on the students’ skills and encourage their involvement in various activities. The opportunity to choose appeals to the personal interests and preferences of the students, which will motivate them to learn more (Brown & Whittle, 2021). Moreover, this approach allows students to take the initiative and responsibility for their learning.
However, HPE teaching may have certain challenges. Many do not consider this subject an important part of the curriculum, which makes it sometimes difficult to keep students motivated and engaged (Cruickshank et al., 2021). In order to avoid this, I constantly improve my teaching skills and try to bring innovations to the educational process.
Strategies for student engagement depend on their age. For elementary school students, I use various games and competitions that help them better understand health. I adjusted the educational program to use technology for high school students. Social media, such as Twitter, can be an effective educational platform (Hyndman & Harvey, 2019). This approach improves communication with students, provides an opportunity to provide feedback, and can contribute to social interaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, education is an important factor influencing the formation and development of personality. Therefore, teachers must be highly professional and develop personal qualities to ensure students’ successful education. The presence of APSTs and a national curriculum helps teachers better plan interactions with students to achieve high results and educational goals. As an HPE teacher, I use established standards as the foundation of my professional work. At the same time, I use different approaches and strategies to adapt the curriculum to the needs and abilities of the students.
References
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