Five things I took out of placement!

Five things I took out of during placement.

1. Cooperative learning: 

It is not only Hattie who realises the benefit of cooperative learning but the students do too! When students were provided the opportunity to reflect and give feedback on their learning and teaching they continuously highlighted that 'working in pairs or groups' was the 'best' part of the lesson because they felt they could teach others and get others to teach them. Based on this I will endeavour to continuously provide opportunities for cooperative learning next year.

2. Improved 'Learning intentions and success criteria': 

Not only making the learning intention explicit but also measurably achievable has a significant impact on students attitudes and motivation to learn. For example a learning intention such as, 'To build upon your understanding of multiplication by using different strategies to problem solve multiplication sums.' and an appropriate success criteria like, 'I can use three different strategies to solve multiplication sums and explain how i have used them.' Plus explanation of why the intention is purposeful and how you have high expectations that all students will improve at multiplication if they master three strategies gets students focused, motivated and appropriately challenged. I was flabbergasted when one child who is often disengaged and not interested started really applying himself at learning multiplication strategies during one maths lesson. A following discussion with him revealed that his motivation was that he understood if her mastered the three strategies he would improve on his multiplication thus wanted to master them.

3. Supportive relationships with colleagues are so important in teaching: 

I don't think I'd survive a week in a school without supportive colleagues around me. When things go wrong it is always good to have people to talk it over with and help you reflect on what you would do next time.

4. People love to share their interests with your class and the kids love hearing from people about their passions: 

I organised for a Monash Professor of Geo-science to talk to my grade over Skype about their Inquiry unit on The Earth. Not only did the kids love his visual and interesting explanations but he really enjoyed speaking to them and sharing his passion. I will definitely attempt to make contact and connections with such passionate experts and my classes.

Some thank you notes to the Professor who Skyped with us.

5. Don't forget your mates outside of work!

I feel like I didn't see anyone outside of placement over the last month. I really don't think that is sustainable into the future for my mental, emotional and social health. I will endeavour to have regular catch up with mates.