The following are the major pedagogical methods I implement in the classroom to achieve the goals outlined in the Teaching Philosophy section.
Differentiated Instruction & Assessment
In order to accommodate all students in the classroom, I use a variety of teaching and assessment strategies. I attempt to incorporate both student-centred and teacher-centred techniques, and utilize independent, small group, and full-class strategies throughout a lesson. I give students choice in assignments as much as possible, and use different assessment techniques as well. I do this in order to tap into the strengths of each student, and to ensure students are strengthening and widening their skill sets.
Inquiry-Based
Many of the assessments I create involve students investigating a topic or idea on their own. This allows me to gain valuable information on where they are with their thinking, and to get them to think about their own thinking and learning. Using an inquiry-based model ensures students take ownership of their own learning, which in turn increases the motivation of the student.
Student-Led
As with the inquiry-based model of teaching, allowing the students to take the lead in choosing some lesson content, and even assessment strategies, gives them ownership of their own learning, which raises their intrinsic motivation.
Technology in the Classroom
One of the most important aspects of teaching in the 21st century is the incorporation of technology into the classroom. It is my hope to not only substitute typical classroom activities with the same activity using technology, but to use technology to vastly improve on the teaching, learning, and assessment in a classroom. It is my belief that in order for technology to improve learning, it must be incorporated in all levels of the flow of work through a classroom. Technology cannot be used just for the sake of using it, but to increase productivity, efficiency, and connectivity at all levels.
Classroom Management
My style of classroom management can be classified as that of a caring parent. I pride myself on creating a trusting, supportive, and respectful environment for all students to be able to reach their learning potential. In a general class setting, I utilize techniques such as proximity, voice tone and inflection, and I use humour to diffuse possibly tense situations. When discipline is necessary, I try my best to resolve problems as privately as the situation allows.
Differentiated Instruction & Assessment
In order to accommodate all students in the classroom, I use a variety of teaching and assessment strategies. I attempt to incorporate both student-centred and teacher-centred techniques, and utilize independent, small group, and full-class strategies throughout a lesson. I give students choice in assignments as much as possible, and use different assessment techniques as well. I do this in order to tap into the strengths of each student, and to ensure students are strengthening and widening their skill sets.
Inquiry-Based
Many of the assessments I create involve students investigating a topic or idea on their own. This allows me to gain valuable information on where they are with their thinking, and to get them to think about their own thinking and learning. Using an inquiry-based model ensures students take ownership of their own learning, which in turn increases the motivation of the student.
Student-Led
As with the inquiry-based model of teaching, allowing the students to take the lead in choosing some lesson content, and even assessment strategies, gives them ownership of their own learning, which raises their intrinsic motivation.
Technology in the Classroom
One of the most important aspects of teaching in the 21st century is the incorporation of technology into the classroom. It is my hope to not only substitute typical classroom activities with the same activity using technology, but to use technology to vastly improve on the teaching, learning, and assessment in a classroom. It is my belief that in order for technology to improve learning, it must be incorporated in all levels of the flow of work through a classroom. Technology cannot be used just for the sake of using it, but to increase productivity, efficiency, and connectivity at all levels.
Classroom Management
My style of classroom management can be classified as that of a caring parent. I pride myself on creating a trusting, supportive, and respectful environment for all students to be able to reach their learning potential. In a general class setting, I utilize techniques such as proximity, voice tone and inflection, and I use humour to diffuse possibly tense situations. When discipline is necessary, I try my best to resolve problems as privately as the situation allows.