Module 1 - Activity 5 - "Developmental_psychology" caring for others.

Teachers come face to face daily with diversity in their classrooms and have to deal with this in a realistic way in order to get to the point where every learner succeeds.  One realizes that students are affected by many issues and situations which place them at risk or resilient to the effects.  To meet the deficiencies and to assist others with their coping skills our practice ought to change.  The change must be seen in our classroom management strategies, delivery of instruction, assessment practices, parental interaction and social interaction with the very clients in our classrooms.

Module 1 - Activity 4 "Behaviourism-new_strategy"

There is a local saying which states that all horses do not run alike, and so true when we examine our classrooms and observe the diversity which exists.  It says to us as teachers that we ought to change the way in which we operate in our classrooms if we are to have every learner succeed.  Teachers need to:
1.  Motivate students constantly and provide on-time feedback.
2.  Provide students with expectations or desired behaviours.
3.  Let students know consequences for undesired behaviours.
4.  Give praise at all times and encourage students to do likewise.
5.  Utilize the class diversity to the advantage of all.
6.  Structure class work to meet learners' needs.
7.  Model the type of behaviour required.

Module 1 Activity 3

This was a very powerful and thought provoking activity with many lessons to be learned.  My thoughts reflected on my past students and caused me to also conduct introspection on my practice.  Highlighted in this was that the right conditions ought to be created to get our students learning and that teachers behaviours are critical in the teaching learning experience. Teachers are the model agents of change utilizing many skills, strategies and tactics to get students to where they ought to be.  Our task is a huge one bearing in mind that teachers and schools by their very nature shape societies.

Module 1-1 Activity 1

A good teacher does not teach the class as a single entity but ensures that the needs of all students are taken into account.  Every child brings values, potentials and individual experiences to the class which adds to its uniqueness and diversity.  Through motivation, constant interaction and feedback and ensuring that all these factors in the learning environment are taken into account, the teacher ensures that every learner succeeds and does this successfully by applying different strategies and methodologies.

Theoline Croft 2A 4 Activity 11 - Creating a PLN

Creating a PLN proves to be an important activity, if we are expected to become a learning community.  Even though it was a tedious exercise, I see myself benefiting considerably from this exercise, as many persons will be providing expertise and best practices to issues which each of us may encounter.
My school and practice should improve if best practices and good advice are employed.

Theoline Croft Module 1B 3 Activity 9 school_readiness

I have come to realize that for schools to ready themselves for ICT integration, that it takes much persuasion, buy-in and political will to complete this essential undertaking.  While schools realize the potential of this integration, it remains the business of stakeholders; the principal, teachers, parents, the Ministry of Education and cooperate Antigua and Barbuda to see this through.
In these times of economic challenges, what little schools can do to ensure that the integration takes place will be the energizer to the programme.  However, the Ministry of Education needs to 'take the bull by the horns' and ensure that policies to govern ICT is completed.  Further, the training of teachers will be welcomed as well, to encourage the use of ICT in all spheres of the school.

Theoline Croft Module 1B-3 Activities 8a and 8b "Teaching Spaces" and "Why Wait".

Times have changed and as practioners, we ought to move with the times.  Our students are depending on us to provide them with the best environment for teaching and learning, but are we ready for the change?  Ready or not, change is here!
The transition begins with us, teachers and principals, and we are expected to motivate and encourage the various stakeholders to embrace the vision for education and understand that a new thinking need to be encouraged.  The clients who are our students need from all stakeholders the investment of time, finance, creativity, dexterity, technology, and most of all the political will to achieve the desired outcomes.
Ready or not, here it comes and can we do it?  Yes, we can!