Completion of my ePortfolio (Part B)

vassa02 — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:18:33 +0000

I feel that I have thoroughly exercised all avenues in order to complete this ePortfolio. The following list sums up how I have continued to build and maintain my ePortfolio for the duration of the EDST441 unit:

Evidence and Reflection of ICT in the Classroom – Please click here to follow the link to view my page on Using ICT. Here you will find information on different ICT technologies which can be implemented within the classroom. There is also evidence of this concept on each of the workshop reflections. Please click here to follow the link to my Workshops mainpage.
Evidence to support the Professional Teaching Standards based on the “Professional eProtfolio Model” – In order to meet this requirement I have created a second ePortfolio which is known as my Professional ePortfolio. This portfolio outlines each of the elements. There were specific elements I have evidence for in order to demonstrate my understanding and completion of each. Please click here to follow the link to the page on my ePortfolio outlining the elements I have evidence for. Alternatively please click here to follow the link to view my Professional ePortfolio.
Evidence of Regular Posting and Updates – This requirement can be seen through three specific elements that I have referred to. Element 6.1.1, Element 6.1.2 and Element 6.1.6 refer to regular posting and commenting on other students ePortfolios and my own. Please click on each element to view this evidence.
Quality Multimedia, Design and Ease of Navigation - Each page on my ePortfolio demonstrates the use of these three aspects. Please feel free to browse through my ePortfolio for this evidence.
References and Resources – My ePortfolio contains a page for References. This page includes different website links that have been referred to throughout the creation of this ePortfolio and also websites that are beneficial for my future teaching career. Please click here to view my Reference page. My ePortfolio also contains a Resource page. This page includes different resources that I find useful being a future teacher and also references which I can refer back to, such as lesson plans. Please click here to view my Resources page.

Evidence of Professional Standards

vassa02 — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:45:15 +0000

Today I have added a second Portfolio which will act as my Professional Portfolio detailing each of the Professional Standards and examples to demonstrate how I have achieved these standards. The elements that have been achieved so far include:

Element 1.1.1 Demonstrate relevant knowledge of the central concepts, modes of enquiry and structure of the content/discipline(s).

Element 1.1.2 Demonstrate research-based knowledge of the pedagogies of the content/discipline(s) taught.

Element 1.1.3 Design and implement lesson sequences using knowledge of the NSW syllabus documents or other curriculum requirements of the Education Act.

Element 1.1.4 Demonstrate current knowledge and proficiency in the use of the following:

Basic operational skills
Information technology skills
Software evaluation skills
Effective use of the internet
Pedagogical skills for classroom management

Element 3.1.1 Demonstrate the capacity to identify and articulate clear and appropriate learning goals in lesson preparation.

Element 3.1.4 Demonstrate knowledge of a range of appropriate and engaging resources and materials to support students’ learning.

Element 4.1.5 Use a range of teaching strategies and resources including ICT and other technologies to foster interest and support learning.

Element 6.1.1 Demonstrate a capacity to critically reflect on and improve teaching practice.

Element 6.1.2 Demonstrate knowledge of the professional standards framework and its impact on the professional life of a teacher.

Element 6.1.6 Prepare for and contribute to discussions about the teaching profession or subject/content.

Element 6.1.8 Recognise the range of policies and policy documents that teachers in NSW may need to comply with following employment in a school.

To view my evidence page please click here.

To go straight to my Professional ePortfolio please click here.

Lecture Week 12

vassa02 — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:25:20 +0000

The final lecture for this semester was based on the topics of 21st Century Skills and Preparing for Practicum. To access the lecture notes on 21st Century Skills please click here. The diagram below demonstrates exactly what these 21st century skills are.

These skills are important for future teachers to be aware of as they will lead to student success and achievement throughout their schooling lives. Schools have to look to the future and ICT and technology is the way of the future. By having knowledge of these 21st Century skills us as future teachers will be prepared and lead our students through 21st century schooling.

The following two videos highlight this idea of 21st Century Skills in more detail:

The second topic for this lecture was Preparing for Practicum. These notes are of great importance as we are coming up to our first practicum which will be assessed with reference to the Professional Teaching Standards. One main thing I got from these lecture notes is to always remember to keep the lesson interesting and challenging and filled with ICT experiences for the students. To access these notes please click here.

NSW Institute of Teachers

vassa02 — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:20:01 +0000

The NSW Institute of Teachers was established to support quality teaching in all NSW schools. It is set up to support the career long development of teachers. This website is very important to myself and other future teachers.

The Professional Teaching standards can be found on this website which describe what teachers need to know, understand and be able to do. These standards are the things that are examined by Univerity Supervisors whilst on our practicum experiences in schools.

A link to these Professional Teaching standards is provided here.

Graduate Teachers are teachers who have just completed their degree and are out in the workforce. There are specific Professional Teaching standards for these teachers which can be found at this link.

There are a number of important documents for Accreditation at Professional Competence that can be found at the following website.

To be accreditated a number of evidence has to be provided, for example worksamples or lesson plans from practicum experiences. Being a pre-graduate teacher we are classified as New Scheme Teachers. Information for New Scheme Teachers can be found by clicking here.

Lecture Week 11

vassa02 — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:39:09 +0000

This weeks lecture was learning about the Computing Skills Assessment which is taken by students in Year 10 and is part of the School Certificate. IT education is important for students to take part in and in todays world computers are central to all jobs and careers.

I found this lecture important because as I am training to be a Computing Teacher it will be my job to teach the students enough to be competent with computing skills and to be able to complete this assessment easily.

A link to the lecture notes is provided here.

Rate My Teachers

vassa02 — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:07:44 +0000

After looking at this website, Rate My Teachers, in workshop week 10 I found it very interesting. The site allows you to search for a specific school whether it be in Australia, America etc and then search for a specific teacher which teaches at that school. This then shows people who have actually rated that specific teacher from poor to strong (1-5). It was interesting to search schools I am familiar with to find teachers I know being rated!!!

To visit Rate My Teachers please click here.

Lecture Week 9 & 10

vassa02 — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:16:28 +0000

The main focus over these past two weeks of lectures has been on ePortfolios in general and also to do with our Task B second submission.

ePortfolios are more than just an online resume. They are all about reflecting and connecting (deeper learning).

One thing I thought was important to remember from these lectures was the Portfolio Process which includes:

Collect, Reflect, Select, Present

I found the diagram below useful to see the clear benefits from ePortfolios. By teaching students to keep an ePortfolio is a way they can demonstrate their own learning style, represents a showcase of their work and also is a good reflective practise.

To view the lecture notes on ePortfolios please click here

Lecture Week 8

vassa02 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:23:11 +0000

This weeks lecture was based on the topic of Issues for Implementation of Information Software Technology. To view the PDF lecture notes please click here.

There were a few main points that I took note of from this lecture which include:

Different Organisational Approaches: One Teacher is the strongest approach, Rotational Teaching refers to teachers working only in their specialisation area which plays to their strengths but is not so good for teachers personal and physical development in teaching, the last approach is Shared Teaching which is a good approach for student learning (two teachers, two learning styles).
Physical Learning Environment: There are several issues associated with the physical learning environment. A few to mention can include, available resources and funding, staff expertise, design tasks and also individual’s opportunities.
Changing Classroom Practice: One example of this is the implementation of laptops within the classroom.

Progress of ePortfolio

vassa02 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:46:47 +0000

I am happy with my achievements so far within my ePortfolio and feel it is ready for submission for Part A. I have included the following pages:

An introduction and purpose page highlighting the reason for this ePortfolio and its existence based on a professional practice using ICT.
A personal profile including information about myself, a photo of myself, a simple resume (PDF format) and details of my practicum experience so far.
A Blog which includes my thoughts and what I have learnt during weekly lectures. There is also blog entries on different technologies that have caught my eye throughout this journey.
Workshops page which includes links to weekly workshops so far (weeks 1-7). These pages give a run down on what we did within the workshop, what I learnt and different features of presentations from weeks 4 onwards.
A References page. This page helps me document websites and resources I have used whilst making my ePortfolio and also on my reflections of professional practice using ICT.

Use of Multimedia So Far…

vassa02 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:12:54 +0000

Multimedia on my ePortfolio is very much evident. Multimedia can include things such as video, audio, images, text and animation. The uses of multimedia make the ePortfolio more exciting and informative. I have made my site some what a basic layout as I find it easier on the eye but by having a basic looking page makes it easier to add in images and animations without becoming to over the top.

If you browse throughout my ePortfolio you can see several aspects of multimedia that are present. Things such as:

Images on most pages – these have been attached within wordpress
Document attachements – PDF version of my resume
Powerpoint presentation slides – My Task A Digital Documents Powerpoint
Embedded video – Youtube videos have been included for educational purposes
Blogging – I have taken part in regular posting anf updates of my journey so far
Active websites – links to websites I have used and found useful whilst doing my ICT ePortfolio

The above are some great examples I have included so far and will embark on a journey of adding more new multimedia formats within the next half of this task. Multimedia is a fascinating topic and I will enjoy encouraging my students to keep up-to-date with emerging technologies and explore and learn the many types of multimedia available to them.