Introduction
This paper is aimed at discussing the main concepts and techniques that were examined during classes. Much attention should be paid to the conceptual framework components that can throw light on some of the main principles which should be followed by educators daily. In particular, it is necessary to show how these components are related to various assignments that were completed. Secondly, this essay will illustrate the role of teaching activities for professional development. Additionally, one should focus on their connections of these activities with the theoretical models examined during different courses. These are the main aspects that should be discussed. Overall, one can argue that these experiences have contributed to my professional development because I learned more about various tasks that an educator should cope with. Furthermore, I was able to get a better idea about the needs of students who may face discrimination or injustice due to some reasons. Therefore, I will be able to support these learners. Finally, various assignments highlighted the importance of continuous professional development for a teacher. These are the main benefits that can be singled out.
The assignments and conceptual framework components
The assignments that I have completed enabled me to understand the techniques that can be used by modern teachers. They can be linked to the following conceptual framework components: 1) pedagogical knowledge and skills (PKS), 2) capacity for informed reflective action (CIRA); 3) compassion for/service to the community (CSC); and 4) life-long learning and development (LLD). These components illustrate the principles that guide the work of educators whose main priority should be the wellbeing of students. Moreover, these elements influence the ethical standards that teachers should meet. So, the tasks that I have completed can be divided into four groups since each of them is linked to a specific component.
At first, I can mention the task Social Studies Unit Plan which can demonstrate the relevance of CIRA to the work of educators. In particular, this task has demonstrated to me that while developing a curriculum, teachers should be aware of different cultural or social phenomena and trends that can affect children. This information is vital because a teacher should understand how the values of students are shaped (Doiron & Asselin, 2005, p. 13). For instance, these professionals should raise students’ awareness about the role that various cultural or ethnic groups could play in American history. Moreover, it is necessary to keep in mind that there can be several stereotypes about these groups. One of the tasks is to refute these stereotypes. The lesson plan that I developed was based on the principles of CIRA. I encouraged students to learn more about the role that Native Americans played in the history of New York.
It is one of the examples that can be provided. Additionally, one can mention the assignment called Classroom Library. This task also highlights the importance of CIRA. While selecting books for children, a teacher should be aware of various social problems or developments. For example, they need to know about such an issue as the need for diversity and respect for people of various ethnic or racial origins (Doiron & Asselin, 2005, p. 13). Secondly, many people can be victimized because of their sexual orientation (Doiron & Asselin, 2005, p. 13). Thus, they should books or learning materials that can help students understand these questions and promote the idea of respect toward people who can differ from the majority. Thus, it is possible to say that CIRA is important for the formation of students’ values. An educator should understand how the principles of CIRA can be applied. This is one of the points that can be made.
Moreover, it is possible to refer to Case Study BRI. This task illustrates the importance of such a conceptual component as PKS. One of such skills is the ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of students. Furthermore, educators should develop a set of exercises that help a student overcome his/her educational difficulties. These activities can be viewed as one of the significant competencies that a teacher should possess. So, this case study helped me to identify specific pedagogical skills that I should acquire and elaborate on. Furthermore, pedagogical knowledge and skills can be related to such an assignment as the development of the personal philosophy. This philosophy can be described as a set of beliefs and assumptions about the goals of education and the ways of achieving these goals. To a great extent, it influences the choice of instructional methods. Moreover, one can say that these views impact the development of pedagogical knowledge and skills such as evaluation, instruction, reflection, and so forth. I may refer to this assignment in the future. It is why the essay about personal philosophy was important for me.
It is also possible to speak about such a component as lifelong learning and development (LLD). I learned more about this conceptual component while doing the assignment related to balanced literacy. A teacher should assist students in developing the skills that are critical for life-long learning students. Balanced literacy is one of such skills that learners should acquire because it is critical for their professional careers. Therefore, LLD is crucial for the design of lessons. Additionally, this conceptual component is also related to the work of teachers. These professionals should know about the most innovative instructional methods that facilitate children’s learning (Scales, 2011, p. 1). To a great extent, LLD implies that an educator should be open to new theoretical models that can improve their work (Scales, 2011, p. 1). As a rule, this attitude toward education is more productive. Apart from that, these people should be aware of the most recent studies which be used to assess the effectiveness of different instructional methods. In this way, a teacher will manage to make lessons more engaging. Therefore, LLD is vital for both students and teachers. It is one of the arguments that can be put forward.
There are other essential tasks completed during this course. For example, it is possible to speak about such a task as Response-to-Intervention and Learning Disabilities. This assignment contains a review of articles that can show how educators should help students with disabilities. The main benefit of these sources is that they can explain how various programs and policies are developed. Furthermore, these assignments illustrate the use of such a conceptual component as CSC. This principle implies that a teacher should understand the challenges that could be faced by some learners. Educators should understand why their academic performance or socialization can be impaired (Spradlin & Parsons, 2008, p. 288). Provided that these problems are overlooked, these students can be marginalized. Moreover, teachers must know how the needs of these learners can be met (Spradlin & Parsons, 2008, p. 288). On the whole, it is necessary to create an inclusive learning environment in which students can fulfill their talents. In turn, this literature review can illustrate policies that can eliminate educational inequalities. Therefore, this assignment shows how the principles of CSC can be put into practice. They can offer many valuable insights to both students and educators. It is one of the benefits that should be considered.
Apart from that, one should refer to the essay examining curricular movements and multicultural education. In this paper, I discussed how this approach to teaching was developed in the twentieth century. This assignment is important for explaining why American educators decided to promote diversity in the classroom. Overall, this paper can be linked to capacity for informed reflective action. Teachers should reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of multicultural education. Additionally, teachers must understand how various cultural or social trends can be relevant to the life of children. Moreover, they should find ways of incorporating the principles of this teaching approach. This paper is closely linked to CIRA because a teacher should have a clear idea about the new cultural trends in education.
Additionally, I can say that various conceptual framework components are closely related to one another. For instance, a teacher can better support children with disabilities provided that he/she has an in-depth understanding of the most innovative instruction methods. Therefore, one can speak about the link between CSC and LLD. By remembering the link between these conceptual framework components, a teacher can avoid many pitfalls. Additionally, it is important to speak about the connections between LLD and CIRA. As it has been said before, a teacher should reflect on various social and cultural trends that can affect the lives of students. However, a teacher can do it, only if he/she adheres to the principles of life-long learning and tries to learn more innovative approaches to education. This is one of the details that should be considered. By looking at the connections between conceptual framework components, a teacher can better cope with one’s duties.
Teaching experience
Furthermore, my teaching experience has helped me to see how various theoretical notions can be translated into practice. It should be noted that I was placed in Maurice Cody P.S. Toronto district public school where I was working in a fifth-grade classroom. This experience has helped me to see the relevance of conceptual framework components. It is possible to speak about the importance of life-long learning and development. While designing the lessons, I need to learn more about various instructional methods and their efficiency. This is why I needed to consult different academic studies describing various techniques used by educators. This activity was of great use to me because I managed to engage students by developing more interesting assignments.
Apart from that, I would like to speak about the importance of CSC. Certainly, children with whom I worked did not face any discrimination or injustice that can be explained by racial prejudice or economic inequalities (Ornstein, 2013). This is one of the observations that I can make. However, some of these students had some minor hearing and visual impairments. Therefore, I had to adjust my teaching methods to the needs of these learners. I needed to give them modified tasks. Moreover, I can say that my teaching experience helped confirmed the theoretical ideas that I learned during this course. Furthermore, these activities illustrated the relevance of different conceptual framework components. Each of these elements can be viewed as a valuable principle that can assist a teacher in his/her daily work. These are the main details that should be taken into account by students.
Conclusion
Overall, I can say this course helped me to understand various instructional methods that can facilitate both teaching and learning. For example, I was able to see how teachers should support the needs of learners whose difficulties can be attributed to economic inequalities, racism, or disability. Thus, I can say that this experience is critical for my professional development. Moreover, various assignments have demonstrated to me that a teacher should continuously work on the development of one’s skills; otherwise, he/she may not be to improve the experiences of students and their academic performance. This is one of the arguments that can be put forward. Furthermore, it is important to speak about the formation of students’ values and attitudes. A teacher should concentrate on such values as respect for diversity. These are the main details that can be identified. These lessons likely influence many of my professional choices and attitudes toward colleagues and students.
Reference List
Doiron, R., & Asselin, M. (2005). Literacy, Libraries and Learning: Using Books and Online Resources to Promote Reading, Writing, and Research. New York, NY: Pembroke Publishers Limited.
Ornstein, A. (2013). Foundations of Education. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.
Scales, P. (2011). Continuing Professional Development In The Lifelong Learning Sector. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill International.
Spradlin, L., & Parsons, R. (2008). Diversity Matters: Understanding Diversity in Schools: Understanding Diversity in Schools. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.