TMN3705_Assignment_1.

TMN3705_Assignment_1.1) What is your experience as a learner in a: Science class - My experience has been one of curiosity, I specifically remember a bean experiment whereby we had a bean grow a bean into a plant, even though I finished school over 10 years ago, that activity is rather memorable. Technology class -Back in my day technology was not as advanced as today. Schools had no computers and nothing was done digitally, today we see a world which has become technologically dependent. Write a description of at least one good experience and one bad experience. 2) Do you think this has changed since you studied Science and Technology at school? Explain. This has indeed changed with the integration of technology into classrooms, you now see digital whiteboards and Mathematics taught on computers, huge advancements have taken place. What does this suggest about you as a Natural Science and Technology teacher? I’ve personally become very technologically savvy if you could put it like that, I myself am completely computer literate and familiar with various technological advancements. This does differ with regards to science however, I haven't been exposed to much of science in my adult career. Activity 1.2 1) Write a short essay to describe what you think each of the pictures (photos) represents. Do not rush though the activity. Write as much as you can about the situation depicted in each picture/photo. Photo 1 This picture gives you insight into a very small classroom. There are only 7 learners which allows for a more intimate learning experience. The students seem very engaged and active. They look really interested in the learning This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on 01-19-2022 12:49:12 GMT -06:00 experience and engaged with the teacher. A standard green board is used and the teacher is doing her lesson via verbal instruction. The classroom has lots of open space with open windows allowing for fresh air and clear thinking. This is an interesting setting and I believe a rather productive one as well. Photo 2 This classroom setting shows a group busy with a possible science experiment, the students look excited and intrigued. The teacher is completely involved in the process and showing the students how to do the relevant task. Their desks are covered with their books, they may have done the theoretical part of the task first and now moved on to the more practical. Students are wearing safety goggles which tells you the experiment may be somewhat dangerous should the ingredients get into the eyes so they need protection. This is a clear indication of the engaged group and lesson. They are completely involved and interested in the activity. Photo 3 This image represents a group of women in a possibly only female class. There is a teacher showing an image and clear smiles on the faces of the learners. They are dressed in traditional clothing possibly related to their religion and culture. The teacher seems very happy and this radiates in the image, allowing one to believe the lesson is one of real interest, especially the image she is showing them. Photo 4 This image represents a somewhat divided classroom. The male and female students are allocated different sides of the classroom when learning. This seems like a cultural thing perhaps in that specific country and culture.The females are dressed in traditional clothing and males in normal shirts. The class overall seems engaged and focused. The image does distract you to the gender differences and possible rules which come to the classroom. For me personally this is rather news as in my experience learners are mixed in a class, this does lead you to wonder whether this may affect the learning process. Photo 5 This image shows a teacher going about her lesson, however the learners do seem rather bored and possibly tired. Some have their heads in their hands a bit and others just seem energyless. I believe this lesson may have gotten a bit long and in essence students can only focus so much time before tuning out a bit. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on 01-19-2022 12:49:12 GMT -06:00 Photo 6 This image displays two different approaches which an educator might take. The one is leaving the learner with the work and asking that they independently answer the questions, whereby they other allows for some questions before proceeding, I believe the latter is of more benefit as the learner would’ve asked these they may not have been very clear on. Teachers have different learning styles and this plays a huge role on the learner, I believe methods should be tested to which fits best, even then it may not work for all. 1.3 1. Humanism - This theory focuses on the individual on his own quest to reaching goals, for example this piece of information assisted me in understanding the approach more “Carl Rogers () was a humanistic psychologist who agreed with the main assumptions of Abraham Maslow. ... Rogers believed that every person could achieve their goals, wishes, and desires in life. When, or rather if they did so, self actualization took place.” It is thus a deep need within us to reach our goals Experiential learning - This theory allows the applicant to discover and find their own meaning to things. This can happen through observation and interaction. “One example of experiential learning is going to the zoo and learning through observation and interaction with the zoo environment, as opposed to reading about animals from a book.” I found this example really interesting as I believe we use this type of learning daily. 2. Social learning theory Multiple intelligences 21st century learning or skills Connectivism 3. Social learning theory This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on 01-19-2022 12:49:12 GMT -06:00 Positive role modeling on learning is based on the fact that people learn within a social context and it’s based on observational learning and imitation.I believe in my teaching this will play a pivotal role as learners will be exposed to a positive influence and learning style which would radiate positive learning mechanisms. ries-learning#:~:text=The%20major%20concepts%20and%20theories,theory%20 and%20community%20of%20practice. 4. I believe features of different learning theories will apply to different students. I will need to implement different learning strategies to address this need. 1.4 Information for Mr Rodriguez As a current educator in the South African school system, I would advise that you prepare for a variety of pleasant and some not so pleasant experiences in our lovely country. Within our rural areas we suffer with an immense lack of resources and we understand this is a huge hindrance in effective teaching and improving the lives of our students. Our local learners are very excited to have inspired and creative teachers on board. They are eager to learn and within the volatile environment they strive to reach goals just the same as learners in our city centres and town. Your impression will leave a lasting memory in the lives of these learners and a holistic approach is always welcomed. Our school systems are extremely diverse and this brings about even more challenges. Sometimes you may not have enough seating and in this case we advise you speak to the head to assist with these resource issues to provide the best possible learning experience. You may also not have all the resources required to complete lessons, however you can prepare according to your ability. These students are from very low socio-economic backgrounds, often struggling with poverty and poor home environments, thus you would need to be able to deal with a variety of consequences and issues. Some kids will come to school hungry or even never sleep. You will also be faced with possible language barriers, which I advise you try to deal with slowly. Within this amazing and diverse land you are in for a ride, it will definitely bring both pleasure and joy. Stay true to yourself and your skills and you will do just great. When you start to recognize the difference you are making in the lives of these amazing little people you will probably never want to leave. So bring your knowledge and heart and let your journey begin. 1.5 This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on 01-19-2022 12:49:12 GMT -06:00 Technology Knowledge (TK) - As an educator you have access to new and upcoming resources to assist with your teaching goals, it would be wise to learn and understand these methods to help aid you into your lesson. Technology can be a real positive should it be used correctly. Content Knowledge (CK) - As an educator you need to understand your subject as if it is a product. What fits for one may not fit for another. This will help you stay prepared and allow you to deliver lessons sensibly and comfortably. Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) - Here we look at classroom management and other factors like lesson planning, which allows us to fully prepare for our teaching setting, it is in the hands of the educator to set the environment to enable effective teaching and learning. 1.6 The ideal teacher in a multilingual classroom would understand the need to be supportive towards the students coming from different backgrounds. See every student as unique, complex and multi-talented. There is no one size fits all approach in a multilingual classroom. No language should be ruled out in the classroom. Clear and realistic learning goals should be set with the relevant resources to assist. Adapt as needed and propose meaningful tasks as the lesson goes on. Arrange for the learners to communicate and interact in the home language with people from other classrooms, as a meaningful way to use and practise the language they need for their schooling.A teacher does not have all the solutions but can play a positive role in the process. Encourage peer learning and interaction.Provide stimulating learning environments where learners who speak the same language could work together.Practice is important, so allow enough opportunities for both languages. Provide examples that give students the opportunity to engage with and understand both content and language. This could be real world examples. Make sure that learners understand errors are a normal part of the process of learning. Make sure all learners know they bring value and skills to the classroom. 1.7 1. Describe the role of the teacher and the learners in a Natural Science and Technology classroom. The teacher should be able to interact with all learners in the classroom. This includes fast and slow learners. All learners should be treated with respect and dignity. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on 01-19-2022 12:49:12 GMT -06:00 The teacher should have knowledge of their learners and school environment, all rules should be enforced professionally. Teachers should be capable of delivering perfect lesson plans for successful lessons to take place. Teachers must be competent to deliver lessons in a structured and competent manner for all to understand. Teachers should be able to design and distribute effective assessments to measure progress. Teachers should be able to pick up on any learning difficulties by means of the different assessments. The teacher should be a good communicator, this applies to relationships with students, families and their colleagues. The teacher should be able to effectively collaborate with other teachers to improve the learning process and grow. Teachers need to be professional by means of attire and attitude all the time. The teacher needs to be a subject expert to deliver effective teaching. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on 01-19-2022 12:49:12 GMT -06:00 2. Give a detailed discussion on how teacher competencies, learning activities and assessment are interwoven in Natural Science and Technology teaching. The competency of a teacher is linked to everything they do, including how they deliver activities and assessments. The class should be one of excitement and interest to the learners as the subject is one of theory and practical approaches. A competent teacher should easily be able to deliver effective lessons and keep students attention by means of subject knowledge and professionalism. Students should feel like they have an equal opportunity to excel and that the teacher sees their individual abilities. 2.1 The first step in creating the assessment is to be clear on what the learners should have learned from the lesson being taught. Then ensure that different cognitive levels of Bloom’s taxonomy are tested. The options as follows: Knowledge “involves the recall of specifics and universals, the recall of methods and processes, or the recall of a pattern, structure, or setting.” Comprehension “refers to a type of understanding or apprehension such that the individual knows what is being communicated and can make use of the material or idea being communicated without necessarily relating it to other material or seeing its fullest implications.” Application refers to the “use of abstractions in particular and concrete situations.” Analysis represents the “breakdown of a communication into its constituent elements or parts such that the relative hierarchy of ideas is made clear and/or the relations between ideas expressed are made explicit.” Synthesis involves the “putting together of elements and parts so as to form a whole.” Evaluation engenders “judgments about the value of material and methods for given purposes They would then create subject related questions based on the above. They do not need to use all options, instead it would be smart to use some MCQ’s, then short questions and finally long questions.