TEACH INSPIRE HELP MOTIVATE LISTEN CARE LOVE EDUCATE FACILITATE ASSESS

BPT1501 e-portfolio

Name:

Student Number:

Unique number

LIVE LEARN IMAGINE REACH EXCEL ADAPT APPLY IMPROVE THINK MENTOR ACHIEVE

NOTE: I hereby declare that this compilation of my e-portfolio is my own effort and sources that have been used have been acknowledged in the bibliography.

Contents: Pages:

1: Introduction .................................................... 3

2: My observations and reflections of my school visit ........................ 4

3: reflection and analysis of online discussions ................................................ 5-6

4: My views on being an effective teacher in the classroom, Mind-map and discussion thereon ............................................. 7-8

5: my reflection on the bpt1501 module and my philosophy on teaching ...................... 9-10

6: MY mission statement at present ............. 11 7: bibliography ................................................... 12

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1: Introduction

My name is and I am currently studying towards my Bachelor of Education degree through Unisa. Why you may wonder? Well I want to empower children with the tool of a good education so that they are empowered and equipped to fulfil and realise their dreams, aspirations and ambitions. A brighter future begins with a better education!

Growing up I wish I had teachers who motivated and encouraged me so that I could have been empowered to strive towards elevating myself and achieving my dreams. I therefore want to enrich my life by pursuing something worthwhile that is of value and benefit to children hence I am now in my thirties and pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher.

As they say, “better late than never.”

I chose this module as my aim is to become a professional teacher. I was initially apprehensive about beginning studies (it has been a while) and constantly mulled over my decision, but in completing this module I was able to let go of all reservations and firmly commit to pursuing my journey to becoming a professional teacher. The school visit was an amazing experience and helped to reinforce and further motivate me to follow this chosen path. The online discussions were inspiring and led me to evaluate and assess myself and reflect on the type of teacher that I aim to be.

This portfolio contains my reflections and summarisations of certain discussions and assignments that I have completed. It is also a tool for me to be assessed. I have also been able by completing this portfolio to outline the wealth of knowledge that I have gained and help mould me into the best teacher that I can be.

The completion of this module has helped me to realise that the wise and valuable teacher is the one who never shies away from learning themselves. To be an inspirational and effective teacher, I need to assume the responsibilities of many roles. Being a teacher entails a lot more than just being a facilitator of knowledge. I aim to constantly evolve, learn and improve thus ensuring a continuous journey of discovery and growth. Living is learning.

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2: My observations and reflections of my school visit

Observations of school visit

Assignment four required us to organise a school visit and observe a class for two weeks. The school that I chose to complete my school visit was the Primary School, a tidy well maintained and substantially resourced school in . It is a school where a diversity of cultures and backgrounds come together. The personnel were friendly, helpful and passionate about teaching. The learners were tidy, respectful, and courteously welcomed me. They were cooperative and obliging and were instrumental in making this experience memorable. I am humbled by the help and support that I have received from the learners and teachers at this school.

As I entered the school premises on my first day I was very apprehensive and unsure of what to expect as the only experience that I had of school was as that of a pupil many moons ago. The principal welcomed and introduced me to the grade four social sciences teacher Mrs Smit class I would be observing. Mrs Smit was friendly, supportive and kindly accommodated me. I entered the classroom and noticed that forty learners were comfortably accommodated. The classroom was well equipped. Mrs Smit maintained respect and dignity in her classroom and was respectful to her learners. She has been a teacher for over thirty years. She has evolved and adapted to suit the needs of her learners. She was an excellent role model who incorporated a variety of teaching styles. She followed an integrated approach to teaching which blended her personality and interests with student’s needs and curriculum stipulations. She demonstrated the skills and outcomes to be attained and guided her learners to apply the knowledge gained. She combined being an authority, facilitator and demonstrator of learning outcomes. She assumed the dual role of teacher and learner so that the learning experience was not restrictive and enjoyed when her learners contributed facts or objects relevant to the lesson. The presentation and delivery of her lessons were well executed and learner participation was encouraged. Many resources e.g. charts, music, laptop, chalkboard etc were used in her teaching depending on the time available and on the structure of her pre-planned lesson. Her passion for teaching shone through as she never tired of explaining concepts and details to learners encouraging them to think critically and not just accept and regurgitate information.

Reflections on school visit:

While observing Mrs Smit’s class I noticed that it is a challenge to keep learners focussed. A teacher cannot monotonously deliver the lesson but has to be innovative, keep subject matter relevant and adopt many roles as was depicted through the progression of this course. This module illustrated how various resources e.g. laptops, chalkboard, charts, apps to enhance learning etc can be introduced to complement teaching. Peer discussion for ideas on teaching methods to implement in the classroom will be beneficial. Teaching is a continuous effort, and this module articulated that aspect. I noticed during my observation that children strive to impress the teacher that they are fond of. This can be beneficial in

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making the learning and teaching experience a successful and productive one. Respect and acknowledgement of the teacher and learners in the classroom is conducive to a pleasant and successful learning and teaching environment.

Some learners came from underprivileged backgrounds and struggled with reading and writing. This was disheartening for me as it was difficult for them to manage in all their subjects. I became aware of the need for teachers in our country and of the difficulties and challenges that so many learners face. The roles and responsibilities of a teacher became evident and I gained an understanding of why assignment two was an essay thereon. Mrs Smit did not solely deliver lessons, sometimes children would come to her and just want a hug or to tell her about their day. This was important and essential to those learners to ensure that they are receptive to learning. I realised that a teacher cannot just be a facilitator of knowledge but also has to be a guide, substitute parent, mentor, protector, assessor etc and each role has to suit the needs of the learner. This was also demonstrated in this module. Learners will not enjoy learning if their attention is not captured and so learning should include and be made relevant to the learners. I learnt that a teacher needs to adapt, be innovative and implement different methods of teaching to suit their teaching environment and assess what works. There is no example of the type of teacher to be. Every learner and situation is different. We have an influence on the young lives and minds we are moulding so should thread with caution. Maintaining discipline in the classroom can be very challenging, but if respect is given to learners it is reciprocated. I noticed that Mrs Smit treated learners kindly and used a reward chart to discipline which was effective. I shall treasure the wealth of information and tips that I gave gained by fulfilling this assignment and will incorporate every aspect in my teaching. I enjoyed this experience tremendously as it gave me an insight into the teaching profession. A sneak preview into what to expect as a professional teacher!

3: Reflection and analysis of online discussions

The online discussion that left a lasting impression and which was most pertinent to me was the discussion forum of assignment five. We had to discuss the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom, and suggest different ways in which technology could be used to enhance reading and writing.

I was hesitant to embrace change and inculcate technology into my life unless absolutely necessary. I favoured the old methods myself and was a firm believer of the saying “if it ain’t broke, why fix it”, (I still possessed my old nokia cellphone). Participating in an online discussion was for me a new experience. I am very old fashioned in that I am not very computer savvy and preferred the “old” pen and paper limiting computer usage to rarely. This module made me explode out of my comfort zone. It literally pushed me to explore new dimensions. I must admit that I really enjoyed the online discussions and the opportunity I had to get an insight and perspective on a variety of viewpoints. The topics were very relevant to becoming a professional teacher especially the one on the best teacher which was discussion one. It helped me gain a perspective of the type of teacher that I would like to become realising that I do not just want to deliver knowledge but be an outstanding teacher who incorporates aspects of care, motivation ,innovation and sincerity in my career . The online discussions allowed me to interact with others and explore differing views. It was less demanding as I had a chance to read and reflect then respond. In order to effectively participate in the discussion on technology I was forced to research the benefits of technology in the classroom. As the discussion progressed I had to embrace changing my view and acknowledge, explore and welcome technological advances and the benefit they could have on the education system. I am so much more open- minded and yes, iPhone here I come! The group discussed the many benefits of technology as opposed to the older restrictive methods where children could not be interactive. I learnt of so many fun apps and programmes that are available to enhance learning and teaching e.g. “sound note” and “Scriblr”. I realised that technology can be beneficial and usage can be monitored for safety as well. The pros far outweighed the cons.

I really learnt so much form the discussion on technology. Previously I was technologically shy, and even sceptical. I was a student many years ago and I wasn’t familiar with using technology like tablets and computers or even cds and dvds in the classroom. There was no need for me to change my way of thinking until I enrolled for this online module. This discussion helped me to realise the endless benefits and convenience of embracing technology not only in teaching but also in everyday living. I was particularly struck by “Shera”, a group members input on the discussion forum and have pasted parts of her response which I found relevant, informative and thought provoking:

Back in the days teachers:

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·   Spent half of the period, writing notes on the board and did not get enough time to explain the written notes. (My social science & Life

orientation teacher in primary & high school)

·         Had to draw pictures to demonstrate things they are teaching.

·         Teachers prepared their lessons on plain paper with a pen.

As the years went by, technology improved.

·         Teachers are able to use computers, laptops, projectors, or, and printers in their classrooms.

·         Helps teachers meet the individual needs of students.

·         Teachers are able to use projectors instead of chalk which can cause health complications.

·         Teachers are able to quickly surf the internet to find examples of their lessons to help students understand easily (E.g. Images or videos).

·         Easy for them to prepare and save their notes for the next lesson.

·         Saves teachers time and gives them a variety of information.

·         The use of technology also excites the teacher, which in return arouses enthusiasm.

·         Teachers can play music in to keep calmness.

·         Teachers are able to use videos, images, audio and other graphic texts.

Technology helps teachers be confident and organized in their classroom.”

I was motivated to research and delve into the benefits of technology and the different apps that were available to enhance reading and writing. I was amazed. What an awakening from the stagnant slumber I had been in. This was so much more exciting and less restrictive than the mundane piece of paper or chalkboard to practise writing. A variety of books was easily and readily available at my fingertips. Researching online was so much easier, unrestrictive and extensive. I became passionate instead of being sceptical and realised that as a teacher I could use technology as an added benefit to my lessons and a complement to my teaching strategy. I can hardly wait to implement the use of my ideas involving technology in the classroom e.g. a lesson can be planned and delivered using a laptop, a new dimension can be added to the content and an abundance of information and visuals which incorporate sound and movement will be easily available to learners. The one dimensional picture has been given a facelift. I began thinking out of the box. I am excited and realise that there is so much to learn about. I was also made aware by participating in the discussions of the benefits of discussion. I shall definitely implement discussion in my teaching.

The discussion on the use of technology could also have been taught by incorporating a few practical examples on the use of technology. We could have as a task or part of the assignment been asked to use some of the relevant apps that can enhance reading and writing, and then give a detailed summary of our experiences thereof. We could have compared and discussed if we preferred the older methods or the newer technologically advanced apps. I would have also loved to be able to introduce these apps to the learners who were struggling with reading and writing that I encountered during my school visit and to be able to monitor and gauge their reactions and take note of any improvements. Being afforded the opportunity to interview a few teachers of various ages and request their opinions on the incorporation of technology in the classroom could be beneficial. The teacher could also demonstrate and explain a lesson which incorporates technology in their teaching. As part of the discussion we could have interviewed teachers from two different schools and describe differences in teaching methods, the incorporation of technology in each school, and the availability of resources to apply technological improvements etc. We could also explore the different ways in which technology is incorporated in each school and discuss, compare and assess the success thereof in essay form. A lesson plan on a specific topic which incorporates the use of technology in the lesson could be a requirement. This would demonstrate how as a teacher I would

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use technology in my classroom. This could add so much more depth to the discussion and a higher degree of learning could take place as we would have a realistic and hands on experience on the uses of technology in the classroom.

4: My views on being an effective teacher in the classroom

I firmly believe that in order for me to be an effective teacher the most important thing is for me to be qualified, a positive role model and to and accept and respect all learners. This module and the completion of all the assignments gave me an insight into what being a professional teacher entails. I feel that in order for me to be an effective teacher in the classroom it is imperative that I should be knowledgeable and skilful in my chosen subject of teaching. I also feel that I should be friendly and my lessons should always be prepared in advance. As I completed this module I have come to believe that an effective teacher is one who loves teaching, is charismatic, professional, neat, qualified, respectful, innovative and able to communicate well with her learners and their parents as well as participate in issues affecting the community. I will aspire to maintain these merits. Certain other qualities that I would embrace to ensure that I am an effective teacher would be; to be passionate about the subject matter and imparting of knowledge, to be empathetic and considerate of my learners and their backgrounds, to be helpful and to always assess and improve my teaching methods. I would also love to incorporate technology into my lessons to add value and benefit to the content. I want to be a guide to my learners and I want constantly to challenge myself and them. I hope to embrace change and always be willing to learn and adapt to suit my learner’s needs. I am looking forward to being in the classroom and seeing what would work and what I can implement into my teaching to make me an effective teacher. The theory is only worthy if practised.

Mind-map of my ideas on how to be an effective teacher:

inspire Facilitator of knowledge

motivate

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Prepare lessons in advance

How to be an effective teacher

Research,involve capture, innovateAssess learner

progress , engage, stimulate and

Be skilful, capable and knowledgeable

qualified role

model

excite

Life-long learner

benefit

A discussion on each point:

In my opinion being qualified and skilful in your chosen subject is pivotal to being an effective teacher. Every teacher has to be knowledgeable in the subject they are teaching in order to be able to effectively be a facilitator of that knowledge. I would aspire to be able to answer learner’s questions regarding the subject that I am teaching correctly. I want to have the skills required to effectively run my classroom so as to create an environment which is safe and also conducive to learning and teaching. I want to be able to maintain discipline and keep my learners focussed and enjoy the subject that they are learning. I would continuously assess and monitor learner progress and use this as an indication of the effectiveness of my teaching methods and to determine if there are learners experiencing difficulties. I would communicate with my peers discussing our teaching methods and I would appreciate their input and ideas from their experiences and assess whether it will be beneficial to implement or not. As a qualified teacher I will be neat, tidy and professional. I would also like to choose to teach a subject that I am passionate about so that I can love what I am teaching and thus inspire my students.

As an effective teacher who aspires to effectively be a facilitator of knowledge I will plan lessons in advance in order to be focussed on learners and to help them gain the knowledge and skill they need to understand lessons and ensure learning outcomes are attained. This will give me the ability to interact more with learners, to maintain discipline in the classroom, to concentrate on difficulties learners are experiencing with certain concepts as my preparation would be complete and I would know in which direction I would like to proceed regarding my learners and the lesson. By preparing my lessons in advance I will be able to spend time thinking about the lessons and how I would like to present them to fully benefit the variety of learners that I have in my class. I can make the lessons more exciting by utilizing different strategies and by being creative and adapting my lessons to reach learners and keep them focussed and interested. I will incorporate technology to add value and enhance my lessons. A laptop will be an invaluable asset in my classroom as I can prepare, present my lessons thereon, gather information and visual concepts can be explained easier to learners using pictures and videos on my laptop. A variety of equipment will not be required. Advance preparations will afford me the time to research my lesson so as to be innovative and capture the attention of my learners. Example, a lesson on the ocean can be researched in depth and I can get learners excited by asking them to bring in objects like shells or holiday pictures of a trip to the sea. I can play a video where the roar and feel of the ocean is brought into the classroom. Learners can be given salt water to taste and have an idea of what the ocean tastes like. The use of the internet on my laptop will give me an opportunity to immediately research and answer any questions learners may have on the lesson.

I will be flexible and adapt to suit the needs of my class. I want to continuously learn and improve and I believe there is always room for improvement and learning no matter at what stage or age an individual may be. Time passes and things change and I will embrace this change rather than be stagnant and close –minded thus cheating myself from improving or even learning of better strategies and developments that I could use and adapt my lessons so that it is always interesting for me as well as my learners. I came to this realization after my online discussion on the uses of technology in the classroom. By stagnating and not acknowledging technology in my life I had only cheated myself form a vast resource and convenience. My learning shall be continuous keeping me passionate and focussed. This will ensure that I am effective and

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Accept, respect, care and be helpful to learners

Be willing to adapt and reflect on ways to improve

How to be an effective teacher

Nurture guide protect

Peer discussion research, learn grow

I hope to always be aware in my classroom, monitoring learners and if I see learners having difficulty or being bored than I should improve that lesson plan and my approach in the future. I need to broaden my horizons and be willing to understand that in it is essential for me to question peers, and ask for help if needed. I will research and update my knowledge on my subject matter as well as on being a professional teacher and on teaching methods. After all I am there to ensure that my learners are learning and are enjoying learning.

I hope to be a teacher that is helpful, accepting and understanding of my learners so that I inspire them to look at me as a positive role model. We are all different but it has been inculcated in me from a young age to be respectful of everyone and I believe that if I respect my learners they will respect me in return. I want my learners to feel safe and secure in my class. By building a rapport with learners a trusting relationship will develop and learners will feel comfortable to discuss any issues or difficulties that they may be experiencing. I will therefore be able to guide, nurture and protect my learners and give meaning to the reason behind pursuing this career path. As an effective teacher I want to connect with my students and maintain a relationship with them by discussing their interests, hopes and ambitions. I will keep communication open and be available to learners and their parents if they wish to discuss anything. I would love for my learners to remember me in a positive light for the rest of their lives. Each learner should feel that they matter and that their efforts are acknowledged in my classroom and that I have faith in their abilities.

5: my reflection on the bpt1501 module and my philosophy on teaching

Reflection on BPT1501 module:

I found this module to be very insightful, interesting and relevant. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and information. I was able to gain an insight into the realities of being a professional teacher. This module helped reiterate the fact that this is the path and career choice that I would like to follow in my life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first discussion that we had on the difference between a good and an outstanding teacher. It forced me to reflect and assess the kind of teacher that I should strive to be. Would this merely be a job or a life altering path to inspire and help children? I have walked away from the discussion truly inspired. I am so humbled by the efforts of so many outstanding teachers and teachers to be. Enrolling for this module has made me realise that a good teacher is one who would make sure that the learner understands the subject and is fully equipped to move on to the next stage of learning while an outstanding teacher would leave a lasting impression, forever ingrained in the mind and heart of the learner because of their inspirational method of teaching. They not only educate but they also fully immerse of themselves into their teaching and care and inspire learners. Each learning unit covered a variety of aspects all relevant to becoming a teacher. The teacher as a professional, the roles and responsibilities of the teacher, the teacher as a community member which demonstrated that teaching is not an isolated profession but a social one, the teacher as a knowledge worker, the teacher as a resourceful innovator (I enjoyed this learning unit most as it was very challenging for me personally and I was forced to think out of the box and unleash my creative side which had been buried for ages), and lastly the teacher making a difference , which illustrated the impact that a teacher has on their learners as well as society. This unit helped me to reflect and gain a more realistic approach to teaching, realising that teaching would not just be being a facilitator of knowledge but it is more demanding and in depth. My aim is to put into practise everything that I have learned and to become an outstanding teacher forever held in high esteem and cherished by my learners.

My philosophy on teaching:

I firmly believe that as a teacher I should continue to grow and strive to be better and more knowledgeable about my profession, always be willing to learn more about the subject that I am teaching, care and inspire learners, adapt to suit the needs of my teaching environment and the learners that I am teaching. I should be an innovative teacher and make a difference in the lives of each learner. I want to be a teacher that is fondly

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remembered of because I taught with passion and cared about every little life that I was fortunate enough to have an impact on. I want to always remain a positive role model in my learner’s lives and hope that my learners will forever make use of the values, knowledge and guidance that I have imparted to them. I aim to always be passionate and inspired by teaching and I believe the rest will naturally follow suit.

I aim to be a professional teacher who is neat, tidy, fully qualified and well respected amongst learners. I aim to live my life always conscious of the fact that I am a professional teacher and as a teacher to always be aware of the consequences my actions and decisions will have in every aspect of my life. It is very important to me to instil morals, values, etiquette and respect in my learners irrespective of their backgrounds or any challenges they may face. Each learner should know that they are acknowledged and their input in my class is valued. I will accept responsibility to be the best facilitator of knowledge that I can be and my lessons will be prepared and my tasks always completed. I want to always update myself on the latest developments regarding my career and I would enjoy peer discussions so as to gauge ways in which to improve as a teacher.

In today’s society where many homes are single parent households or where many parents work very demanding hours, children lack substantial adult interaction from their parents and look to their teachers to fulfil this role and working together with parents and caregivers I can better understand the needs of my learners. Having an understanding of learners and their backgrounds will help me to be able to adapt to suit the needs of my learners. I aim to work with community members to fundraise and help improve facilities at the school if needed. Successful community involvement and integration will contribute to my success as a teacher.

I aim to manage my teaching and learning environment as a worker of knowledge. My classroom should be a safe environment where learners feel comfortable to air their grievances, thoughts and contributions. I hope to attain this by always making learners aware of how I value their input and all comments will be acknowledged and none will be considered as insignificant. I am passionate about becoming a teacher and will continue to strive to improve my knowledge and to ensure that I deliver the knowledge of the subject that I am teaching to my learners using the best methods and resources that are available to me. Each lesson that I deliver should be a new experience and captivate and involve my learners. Learner input will be valued. I will ask learners what aspects of the lesson they enjoyed so as to assess my teaching methods and gain a better understanding of my learners.

I am so excited about embarking on my career as a teacher in order to incorporate the various ideas I have and to implement them in my classroom. I want to make learning more exciting than what it was for me. My goal is to capture the attention of my learners and I hope to be innovative and incorporate technology into my lessons. I am a great fan of the benefits of using a laptop to deliver my lessons and begin a new endeavour and experience. I want to use media cds, dvds and all resources that are available to me to better my lessons as I realise that for effective learning to occur it is essential to keep learners focussed.

Becoming a teacher for me has been a much thought about choice. I want to do something meaningful with a lasting benefit in my life. Naturally I want to have a positive impact and make a difference toward betterment in each child’s life. I have experienced the impact it has when you have teachers who consider their career nothing more than a job to complete. I therefore plan to inspire, patiently encourage and motivate my learners to succeed. I want them to never stop trying and every effort will be acknowledged and praised. As a teacher I will be an influence and play a pivotal role in their daily lives and thus I will aspire to be a good role model who brings positivity into their lives. I want to be aware of the needs of my students and create an environment that is conducive to learning and growing as individuals for my learners. What better difference as a teacher can I make than to ensure that learners strive to and enjoy pursuing an education in order to facilitate a better future for themselves and in turn contribute to an improved society?

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6: My mission statement for my life at present

In summarisation I chose this as my mission statement because as I reflect upon my life I realise that every journey that I undertook was of benefit and a learning experience. While travelling this path I was inspired to reflect and realise that I want to become a teacher. As a teacher I can inspire, be a positive influence and make a worthy difference in the lives of my learners so that their future can be better and I shall be making a valuable and lasting contribution to the future. It is never too late to follow a new path and I want to maintain and impart hopefulness and positivity. I aim to continue my life’s journey never stagnating always being inspired to learn and to continue to better myself in every aspect thereby inspiring my learners and instilling a love of learning. I aim to be a teacher who is knowledgeable, qualified, cares about learners and the difficulties they are experiencing due to their backgrounds, delivers interesting and relevant lessons, who is a positive influence and motivator of hope and improvement. I want to live and tackle any challenges in my life with faith and determination. Life is temporary but education symbolises living and hope for the future. I want my life to have meaning and I want my contribution to the future to be a precious and worthy one.

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7: Bibliography

1: website: http://www.online-distance-learning-education.com/effective- teacher.html#.VT5QUdKqqko

2: website: http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/11-habits-effective-teacher

3: website: http://teaching.about.com/od/pd/a/Qualities-Of-An-Effective-Teacher.htm

4: website: www.googleimages.com

5:website:my.unisa.ac.za/portal/site/BPT1501http://study.com/articles/10_Ways_Teachers_Make_a_Difference.html

6: website: http://study.com/articles/10_Ways_Teachers_Make_a_Difference.html

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