Frame of Reference: Dylan Taylor

The goal of education is to teach students how to think. As a teacher, my job is to

create lessons and units that challenge students’ to think critically. My goal is to create

independent thinking among students. BC’s new curriculum allows for and promotes student

use of important skills such as communication, personal and social reasonability, and creative

thinking.

The aims and objectives of lessons are to inspire students to come to class everyday

wanting to learn. The best way to promote this desire to learn is by using the Seven Principles

of Learning (Dumont, Istance, & Benavides, 2010), where students are at the center of their

learning, making it student-centered, not driven by the teacher and by acknowledging the social

nature for of learning along with hands-on learning experiences outside traditional classroom.

Knowing learners’ emotions is are integral to learning, teachers are able to understand

students’ motivations and interests, helping them understand their full potential. As a teacher,

to recognizing the individual differences of learners is key, as we all learn differently.

Understanding these differences allows teachers to stretch all students, by creating lessons that

can expand into unique challenges. Assessment needs to be clear from the start with learners

understanding the objectives for all forms of assessment. Formative assessment could be

conducted with tests in subject areas, such as math and science topics. Formal assessment will

be done with quick techniques such as think-pair-share, classroom whip arounds, two stars and

a wish, and a ticket out the door. These techniques quickly gauge whether or not the students

have learned the concepts taught, informing next steps in lesson development. Summative

assessment celebrates the learning, often in the form of projects presented to the class or
individually with the teacher. Lastly, building connections with the students and getting to

know their strengths or stretches in a subject is one of the most important things actions I will

take as a teacher.

Wise use of integrated technology is a great way to promote student learning, with

electronic devices, smartphones, and computers. However, using these tools requires a

balanced consideration for reading and writing skill development off-line. Since many students

have been around this technology since they were born, why shouldn’t educators try to use it

to support learners?

My interactions with fellow staff, students and parents will be always be professional.

Students will always know that I have an open-door for learning while in the school. They’ll be

encouraged to share anything that they feel is important. School personnel and parents are

always welcome in the classroom with the understanding that they must be respectful and

mindful of all the students and their learning. Currently, parents are wanting to be involved

with their children's learning, which is a very exciting partnership for as a teacher.

Content lesson presentations will always have: clean and concise handouts, easy to read

power points, clear and logical verbal instructions, while being age-appropriate. Desks will be

set-up in groups to promote communication and facilitate group projects with fellow

classmates. Since it’s important for struggling student to be successful and not give up, I’ll refer

to Benjamin Bloom’s (n.d.) theory of mastery learning since it allows students to focus on a

single topic so that over time, they understand. Mastery learning also states it’s alright for some

students to take longer than others, because with more time learners will understand

previously challenging concepts.

 Inclusion is very important within a classroom so that learners know their role and

purpose, helping build a much stronger sense of community with students. While creating an

inclusive classroom it's important to remember that there are varied learners in the room, with

diverse backgrounds. Shelley Moore (2017) states that is a teacher’s our job. As an educator, I

need to celebrate the diversity within the classroom, and not force our learners to all be the

same by the end of the year.

Incorporating others’ views is important, especially the perspectives of the First Peoples.

By including these perspectives students learn that there are varying cultural teachings in this

country from which they can gain an in-depth understanding of citizenship, traditions, and the

ongoing process of reconciliation with the First Nations.

References

Benjamin Bloom. Retrieved January 09, 2018 from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Bloom

Dumont, H., Istance, D., & Benavides, F. (Eds.). (2010). The nature of learning: Using research to

inspire practice.

http://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/50300814.pdf?TSPD_101_R0=f9647e0ec81

Moore, S. (2017). One without the other: Stories of unity through diversity and inclusion. (3rd

ed., Vol. 21, Fall 2017). Retrieved from http://www.dsrf.org/media/HIH21-3.pdf

Renaud, L. (2017, March 22), What is mastery learning? A different approach to learning. [blog

post]. Retrieved from https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2017/03/what-is-mastery-

learning-a-different-approach-to-learning