Education assistant
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Question #1: Summarize two Essential Beliefs that challenge your thoughts about education and explain why, based on the reading.
According to the text, multiple beliefs challenge my thoughts on education. One of these beliefs is that children learning is primarily determined by the effectiveness of the different strategies used by teachers. In this belief, the ability of students to learn and grasp new concepts is not dependent on the fixed intelligence trait from birth but on how well teachers can deliver learning information and material.
The other belief on education that challenges my views is that teaching requires deep collaboration and non-defensive self-examination of practice related to student results (Saphier et al., 1997). In this belief, the main point addressed is that teachers need each other in various teaching practices such as common formative assessments to increase their productivity.
According to the author, the child's learning ability can be affected either positively or negatively by the teachers teaching strategies. I can't entirely agree with this since some teachers tend to keep the maximum effort on weak students. Still, some children's academic performance remains limited regardless of the teachers' efforts due to inherited intelligence.
On the other hand, the belief that teachers should collaborate to maximize their efficiency is inexplicable. From my point of view, teaching efficiency depends on the teacher's traits, experience and personal skills. It is hard for one to rely on another person's strategies, yet they have different personalities.
With knowledge of the beliefs on education, teachers can use this information to develop different strategies to improve their skills and experience while in their teaching career. These beliefs can also aid on how to enhance students learning abilities.
Question Two
Analyze the Seven Knowledge Bases for High-Expertise Teaching and Explain why it is not enough for an educator to be just an expert in their content
Teaching is a process that involves giving knowledge in several ways. It can be done in or out of the classroom through different methods. Knowledge is an essential tool in learning. There are seven kinds of knowledge sources that can be used by members of the teaching profession (Saphier, 2017). One of the sources is knowledge of the general pedagogy. General pedagogy is used to identify the difference between knowing how to teach and teaching a particular subject. Skilful teachers can guide a variety of topics after familiarization with the content. Teachers who are unable to teach different subjects quickly succumb to failure. The knowledge of a particular content pedagogy is the second source of professional knowledge. It entails being familiar with the content of a specific subject. According to Lee Shulman (1986), a teacher must be familiar with various forms of media, methods of data presentation, experiments, models, projects and equipment of the curriculum they are teaching. Relevant and culturally appropriate ideas and examples must also be used in the teaching process.
A teacher must show professional expertise by knowing content analysis. Content is usually divided into chapters, topics, and sub-topics in different curricula. Professional expertise helps explain various aspects and identify the many levels involved in learning. Teachers with the right amount of skills often demonstrate awareness of the different levels of learning to avoid confusing learners. Professionalism in teaching entails knowing the academic discipline. The academic field is the state requirement regarding course content and teacher qualification. A skilful teacher must be aware of this.
There exist distinct differences in learners in a given classroom. A good teacher must be aware of their unique characteristics to help them become better learners. The differences should not be used to mock students but to help them work on their strengths. Knowledge of the behavior of the other professionals creates a unique opportunity for interaction within the working environment. It enables professionals to better their problem solving and decision-making skills. A skilful teacher should engage well with family members and the community. Family and community are essential elements of the learning environment and should be included in the learning process. According to this discussion, it is not enough for a teacher to know the content. They must also possess the ability to relate to other subjects and ideas for effective learning.
Question Three
Examine the Ten Jobs of Teaching and describe three elements of successful teaching and learning that are new to you as part of an educator repertoire
Effective teaching involves skills that each professional must have over time. These skills are not honed in one day but accumulate over the years through some experiences. Elements of teaching and learning are the learner, teacher and a conducive learning environment. Teaching and learning can only occur when these three elements go well together. In a conducive learning environment, learners will be comfortable and attentive, and the teacher will pass knowledge effectively. A teacher has several roles to perform in a classroom (Saphier,2017). These roles are formal and informal and help learners improve their capacity and potential in the long run. A teacher is a resource provider. This means that teachers must have instructional materials and books to share with other professionals and students. These materials help learners understand and relate to the content at hand. The resources involved in learning can include charts, videos and diagrams.
Mentorship is another role of teachers. It can be done through various programs and activities. Teachers work towards making the best possible products through mentorship strategies. Mentorship is not an easy fit as it takes a high level of expertise and familiarity with the students. Teaching also comes with leadership. Students look up to teachers as their navigation compass in the world (Peterson & Prereira, 2020). The mannerism, character and dressing style can determine a student's character. Coaching is one of the most acute jobs of teaching and learning. It is done by giving assignments that enable learners to understand different aspects by relating to other subjects. Students analyze additional data to acquire learning instruction.
According to Larner (2004), teachers act as catalysts of society's change. It is the work of teachers to ensure a difference in the behavior and mannerisms of their students by initiating and emulating it. Teaching and learning is a continuous process, and as a result, the instructor has to learn from other peers and students. This tool is crucial in helping learners achieve their goals. A skilful teacher must facilitate the learning process by providing the necessary tools for that to happen. Understanding content is essential for teaching to take place. If a teacher fails to understand the content, they will mislead the students. Teaching involves classroom support through observation, demonstration and giving lesson feedback. Blasé (2006) argued that this improved the efficacy of both teaching and learning. Teachers can believe in their abilities. All these tools, when used together, create a positive learning environment.
Question 6
Explain the importance of a common language and concept system in education and describe how they impact the education profession
Having a common language and concept system in education has proved to be of great importance as it possesses a variety of benefits in the education process. To begin with, having a common language has positively influenced the conversations in teachers' rooms as it helps to break boredom and loneliness among teachers as they can engage in various discussions together. On the other hand, having a standard concept system enables discussion of problems from a professional challenge perspective rather than an admission of personal inadequacy.
A common language and concept system is essential as it easily enables one to understand other people's practices and actions more positively. In addition to this, relationships among teachers can be enhanced as there would be a better understanding of each other's actions (Saphier, 1997). A common language and concept system enables a better understanding of each other, which is crucial in creating teamwork that is essential in achieving common group goals.
Having a common language and a concept system is essential as it helps to enhance proper work relations that are essential in achieving common group goals. As highlighted by the author, developing a standard concept system aids in the improvement of staff development programs and teaching evaluation to be more advantageous.
Question 8
Describe the starting point for cultural proficiency and its importance in the learning community.
Cultural proficiency can be defined as the skills, attitude, knowledge, and beliefs that allow people to work well respond efficiently and effectively to people of a different cultural setting. Teachers need to be culturally proficient as this is a vital skill that can be applied in culturally relevant lessons or topics in class. Due to the cultural diversity in American schools today, teachers need to understand their students' culture to make them part of the learning process.
In case a teacher is not culturally proficient, the students might feel that their cultures are isolated and ignored, the students learning process is compromised to a great extent (Saphier, 1997). Students who feel like their culture is significantly compromised in classrooms by teachers tend to feel like they have less demand and expectations, making the student less active in class.
I agree with the author's presentation on the relationship between the teacher's cultural proficiency and the students' energy level and participation in class. A teacher's lack of understanding of the students' culture will make the students feel misunderstood and unrecognized in the classroom. In connection with this, a culturally proficient teacher will make the students feel included and recognized in the school since they will feel that their culture is recognized and valued by the teacher.
This text plays a massive role in expanding knowledge on the importance of understanding students' culture and the possible outcomes of a teacher lacking cultural proficiency. With this information on the importance of understanding students' culture, the educational curriculum can be adjusted to be more culturally sensitive. It will be important in ensuring students are more engaged in the classroom.
References
Peterson, K., & Pereira, V. (2020). Attitudes on skilful two and teacher created ancillary material. Revista de Lenguas Modernas, (33), 25-51. https://doi.org/10.15517/rlm.v0i33.3922.
Saphier R. Jon, Haley-Speca, Mary Ann, Robert Gower (2018). The Skillful Teacher: The comprehensive resource for improving teaching and learning. 7th Ed
