Module 1 - Activity 8 Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Piaget's 4 stages of cognitive development have brought a fresh perspective to what we teachers do in the classroom.  This course has brought into focus the things which we need to change in our practice in respect of the diversity found among students within the classroom and also highlights that the pace and rate of learning differ.  It encourages us as teachers to move away from the teacher-centered classrooms to that which encourages us to create more student-centered environments, utilizing more collaborative strategies, experiences, discovery and hands-on approaches to teaching and learning with the individual student's development as our guide.

However, although Piaget's theory has merit one cannot not reflect on the present education system which focuses mainly on the completion of a curriculum and having students pass exams. 

Module 4 - Activity 2 - What we assess

Assessment is very important to the teaching learning process as it allows for growth of learning and teaching through reflection, planning, feedback and self-assessment.  It is necessary that assessment procedures and practices are structured to the types of learners in the classroom and not the one size fits all that we teachers tend to utilize.  Teachers are to have set criteria and standards by which to fairly assess students, remembering the ultimate goal is to ensure that each student achieve some measure of success.

Module 1 Activity 7 - "Cooperative_Learning"

Cooperative learning can be a very effective strategy once used correctly.  This student-centered strategy has seen success in the positive independence of students, individual accountability, improvement of social skills and an equal opportunity for success.  Educators are to ensure that proper planning is done in this strategy as an effective outcome which is self-assessment is also realized.
Further, it is observed and a recognized fact that students understand the work much better when it is explained by their peers.  It becomes necessary to ensure that the strategy is utilized where practicable.

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.