The Contemporary Teacher and ICT

Standard 1: Know students and how they learn

Professional teachers recognise that students' ICT use may influence their social and intellectual development.  They affect and may enhance their engagement and learning with the use of digital resources and tools.  They are able to match teaching strategies, digital resources and adaptive and assistive technologies  with students' diverse learning needs and backgrounds to support participation and learning.

My Current Score:

(totally unprepared) 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 (totally ready)

As a proficient ICT user, the mother of  three ICT using children and the wife of a selective ICT abstainer I have access to a small sample group of ICT users that potentially have characteristics of my future students.  For example, I have found that while my three children have access to the same educational, entertainment and social media apps, they each have preferences for which ones they use and experience success with. My husband, on the other hand abstains from all social media. Being in this situation helps me to understand that ICT interactions are an individual experience and as a teacher I will need to be mindful of this.  To improve my score, I would need to broaden my knowledge on what digital resources and tools are available and discover whom they may be most suited to.

Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach it

Professional teachers know how to select and utilise digital resources to complement teaching strategies in curriculum content areas. They can devise learning sequences and lesson plans to enable, support, enhance and accelerate deep learning in literacy and numeracy, enabling deeper engagement with curriculum and supporting a range of approaches to learning.

My Current Score:

(totally unprepared) 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 (totally ready)

As a second year education student I have much to learn about the curriculum content and the ways to teach it.  I have life experience and prior learning in both of my teaching areas, however, I am not necessarily familiar with the digital resources and tools that are currently specific to these areas.  I would need to do more research on what is available and how to utilise it to complement traditional teaching methods.

Standard 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning

Source: http://unearthedcomics.com/

Professionals use digital resources and tools to aid students' develop curiosity, set educational goals, manage their learning and choose and assess their own learning.  They recognise that digital resources and tools can deepen learning in relation to real world scenarios and authentic problems with creative and innovative thinking and collaboration. They utilise digital resources and tools to support students' discovery and use of information  including their communication of this information accounting for individual's needs and backgrounds.

My Current Score:

(totally unprepared) 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 (totally ready)

I have selected the cartoon above in jest.  I think it illustrates the belief that you can only engage students through devices. I score myself higher in this category due to the fact that I am a very quick learner when it comes to using new digital tools and resources. This means that I will confidently be able to approach the use of ICT and evaluate strengths and weaknesses for use in effective teaching. It will be the clever use of devices and other ICT that will enrich the learning experiences of my students.

Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environment

Professional teachers are able to manage student access, select and sequence digital resources, encourage responsible social interactions, manage risks and utilise digital resources and tools safely, legally and ethically.  They have awareness surrounding cyber safety practices, respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

Source: https://clipartfox.com/

My Current Score:

(totally unprepared) 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 (totally ready)

As a parent, I am all over this aspect of ICT use in minors.  As a student/future teacher/mother I am consummate at using ICT legally, respectfully and safely and ensuring that my children do too.  I recognise that this will be an area of much consideration, monitoring and guidance when it comes to my students.

Standard 5: Assess, provide feedback and report and report on student learning

Professional teachers utilise digital resources and tools to assess work in a variety of ways and manage, analyse and record data for informing practice.  They employ the use of ICT when providing feedback and reporting to both students and families. 

My Current Score:

(totally unprepared) 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 (totally ready)

I have been on the receiving end of this kind if ICT as a parent.  As an employee and team member I know the benefits of utilising ICT in this field.  I will obviously need time to familiarise myself with specific procedures relating to future workplaces.

Standard 6: Engage in professional learning

Professional teachers set ICT goals according to the National Professional Standards for Teachers.  They evaluate and reflect on the use and development of digital tools and resources and collaborate in online learning communities at many levels.

Source: http://unearthedcomics.com/

My Current Score:

(totally unprepared) 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 (totally ready)

While I am no where near needing a visit to my local lemonade stand there is a lot more I would need to learn and practice before feeling ready to participate knowledgeable in online learning communities.  I do feel able to set goals in relation to professional development in the realm of ICT.

Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

Professional teachers focus on cyber safety when teaching.  They communicate effectively when using ICT while maintaining privacy and conducting themselves ethically.  They create and seize opportunities for collaborative communication in online communities and forums.

My Current Score:

(totally unprepared) 0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 (totally ready)

I feel I am already able to engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community.  I do however recognise that I will be exposed to many unfamiliar scenarios with unfamiliar people in my career.  I will need to be careful when it comes to topics I feel passionate about so that I don't become argumentative! 

References:

Australian Council for Computers in Education. (n.d.). Graduate Teacher Standards - ICT Elaborations Retrieved from http://acce.edu.au/national-professional-standards-teachers-ict-elaborations-graduate-teachers

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (n.d.). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/generalcapabilities/information-and-communication-technology-capability/introduction/key-ideas